If there were a basic law for mountain bikes, paragraph one would have to read: The function of the brake is sacrosanct. As a safety-relevant component on a mountain bike, we regularly subject new brakes to a particularly tough test. What good is the most ergonomic lever or the lightest brake if it stops working in extreme situations?
We tested these disc brakes:
- Magura MT7 HC3
- Shimano Saint
- Sram Code RSC (BIKE test winner)
- TRP Quadiem G-Spec
Admittedly, a 75-kilo rider will not push any of our four test brakes to their limit in normal trail use. The test candidates are all equipped with four pistons per caliper and are actually designed for downhill use. In this case, the purchase decision can be made confidently based on the criteria of weight, price and braking power. For all riders who weigh significantly more than 80 kilos and may be travelling with a rucksack on long Alpine descents, the stability tested in the BIKE lab becomes more relevant. Under the right circumstances, heavy riders can push even these massive brakes to their limits, just like our drum test bench, which has been tried and tested for years.
In view of the fact that our test quartet consists of the most powerful brakes the market has to offer, the result is sobering. Three out of four brakes struggled with deformed discs or fading in extreme situations. The inexpensive TRP gives up at 450 degrees operating temperature with pad fading, the Shimano brake discs melt at 500 degrees. The brake discs of the Sram Code only deform permanently at 600 degrees. Despite a slight impact in the brake disc, the braking function is not significantly affected. If you really don't fancy a sudden surprise on steep descents, you have to go for the Magura MT7. It fulfils its duty even under the most extreme conditions.
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 12/2017 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
MAGURA MT7 HC3
Price¹ 508 Euro
Weight² / size 447 gram / 180 mm
Info www.magura.com
Dosing capability 4 out of 6 points
Stability 6 out of 6 points
Braking force 3 out of 6 points
Ergonomics 6 out of 6 points
details Four-piston brake with Carbotecture master cylinder, organic brake pads, mineral oil, Storm HC brake discs and new aluminium HC3 lever
Conclusion The new aluminium single-finger brake lever puts Magura on a par with the best brakes on the market in terms of ergonomics. In addition, the hardness of the pressure point can now be adjusted to preference with a mini-tool just as effectively as the lever width. Due to the shorter lever arm, the brake loses a lot of braking power compared to the two-finger lever. The Magura still scores full points for stability. The plastic brake pump also makes the MT7 the lightest brake in the test.
¹The price refers to a complete brake set including two 180-millimetre brake discs and the screws and adapters required for installation.
²Weight of a front brake in grams including disc, screws and adapter
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 12/2017 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
SHIMANO SAINT
Price¹ 660 Euro
Weight² / size 481 gram / 180 mm
Info www.paul-lange.de
Dosing capability 6 out of 6 points
Stability 3 out of 6 points
Braking force 4 out of 6 points
Ergonomics 6 out of 6 points
details Four-piston brake with mineral oil, sintered pads and cooling fins on discs and pads. The brake disc with cooling fins is only available with a centre lock mount. Can be combined with I-Spec-B shift levers.
Conclusion Despite being a few years old, the Saint is just as ergonomic as the competition. The lever sits comfortably in the hand and can be adjusted without tools.
The braking force is sufficient even on steep terrain. However, at high temperatures (under sustained, extreme load) the brake suffers heat death. The aluminium core of the disc is the weakest link in the chain and melts.
¹The price refers to a complete brake set including two 180-millimetre brake discs and the screws and adapters required for installation.
²Weight of a front brake in grams including disc, screws and adapter
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 12/2017 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
SRAM CODE RSC
Price¹ 690 Euro
Weight² / size 509 gram / 180 mm
Info www.sram.com
Dosing capability 6 out of 6 points
Stability 5 out of 6 points
Braking force 5 out of 6 points
Ergonomics 6 out of 6 points
details Four-piston brake with DOT 5.1 brake fluid, sintered pads and tool-free adjustable brake lever. Can be combined with Sram shift levers.
Conclusion Sram's newcomer is really shaking up the mountain bike anchor market. As the only brake in the test, the Code impressed both on the test bench and in practice with outstanding braking power. The pressure point is extremely firm and, like the lever width, can be adjusted without tools. Towards the end of the test bench test, the brake disc deformed slightly, but this did not significantly affect the function of the brake. In earlier tests, the centreline disc suffered considerably more. Otherwise, the Code was our favourite.
¹The price refers to a complete brake set including two 180-millimetre brake discs and the screws and adapters required for installation.
²Weight of a front brake in grams including disc, screws and adapter
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 12/2017 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
TRP QUADIEM G-SPEC
Price¹ 508 Euro
Weight² / size 521 gram / 180 mm
Info www.trpbrakes.com
Dosing capability 4 out of 6 points
Stability 2 out of 6 points
Braking force 2 out of 6 points
Ergonomics 5 out of 6 points
details Four-piston brake with mineral oil and organic pads
Conclusion The affordable TRP Quadiem from Aaron Gwin works, but doesn't knock our socks off. Not only is it the heaviest brake in our comparison, it also has the least braking power and stability. If you want to decelerate quickly on steep sections, you have to - compared to the other models
the other models - you have to pull the massive aluminium lever
aluminium lever much harder. The cut-outs in the brake disc do not improve the wet braking behaviour as much as hoped. During the test bench test, the brake struggled early on with fading and a deformed disc.
¹The price refers to a complete brake set including two 180-millimetre brake discs and the screws and adapters required for installation.
²Weight of a front brake in grams including disc, screws and adapter
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 12/2017 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
