Components

Brakes

- ABS for mountain bikes increases control and safety, especially for less experienced riders and on difficult, loose surfaces.
- The disadvantages are higher weight, increasing costs, more technical complexity and the desire of experienced bikers for a direct braking feel.
- According to the test editor, Bosch ABS Pro impresses with its powerful braking performance, but Lutz Scheffer warns against overconfidence and a possible ABS obligation.

Safety gain or unnecessary technology: "That's why ABS is not a saviour in cycling"

- TRP Evo Pro scores top marks for usability and modulation, offers strong braking power and wins the test.
- Lever feel is sensitive, intuitive and easy to adjust; constant pressure points and robust lever geometry are convincing in practical use.
- In the laboratory, the braking force of 80 N is on a par with the best, reaches a maximum of 963 N and passes all heat and wet tests.

Must-have: The TRP Evo Pro wins the disc brake comparison test

BRAKES

- Piccola HD combines extremely low weight (213 g, test best value) with high braking power, but does without comfort features such as tool-free adjustment.  
- In the laboratory, it performs well with practical hand forces, but loses out with higher lever input and does not achieve top marks.  
- In the practical test, it impressed with vehement braking power, but a soft pressure point and an irritatingly springy lever feel under full load.

Trickstuff Piccola HD on test: This lightweight brake bites mercilessly!

- Maven B1 continues to offer very high braking power, is easier to modulate, but narrowly loses the test victory to the TRP EVO Pro.  
- Revised SwingLink lever and 18 mm piston reduce breakaway torque and peak force, improve control, especially in wet conditions.  
- In practice, it is extremely powerful despite minor laboratory drawbacks, but the less ergonomic carbon brake lever remains a point of criticism.

The most notorious disc brake in the test: Is the SRAM Maven B1 still the benchmark?

- Galfer Disc Shark EVO: 2.0 mm disc for Enduro, Downhill, E-MTB with "Shark Fins" for improved temperature management and high stiffness.  
- In practice: noticeably stronger deceleration, constant pressure point, less hand force, no wobbling, reduced pad wear, but more weight.  
- Disadvantages: high price level and sometimes buzzing noises; competition includes SRAM HS2, Magura MDR-P and Hope Floating Disc.

More braking power and stability: Galfer Shark Evo Disc in the test

- Shimano XT 2026 offers strong braking power, a precise pressure point and very good lever ergonomics, but requires a lot of sensitivity.
- The short lever penalises the XT in the lab test in terms of braking power, but in practice the performance is sufficient when the lever end is pulled.
- Ice-Tech discs warp under heat, show poor wet performance, rattling cooling fins and are not recommended.

Powerful, but sensitive to heat: Shimano XT brakes (4 pistons) fail the lab test

- Larger brake discs increase braking torque, heat dissipation and stability, but are heavier and sometimes more aggressive in their braking characteristics.
- 160 mm are suitable for XC and short, moderate tours, 180 mm as an all-round solution, 200/203 mm for heavy riders, enduro, alpine terrain and long downhills.
- E-MTBs usually require 200 mm or more due to their higher weight, up to 220 mm for E-Enduro, depending on frame and fork compatibility.

Size matters: Which brake disc size really fits your bike

- Hydraulic disc brakes adjust themselves, so pad wear often goes unnoticed until metal rubs against the disc.
- Check pads regularly by visual inspection, at the latest critically below 1 mm friction material; metallic scratching means: stop immediately.
- Check disc thickness with calipers, observe minimum thickness (MIN TH); if disc is worn, replace pads and disc together.

Brakes at the limit: How to recognise when discs and pads are due

- DOT: higher boiling point (230-260 °C), but hygroscopic, more susceptible to ageing, corrosive to paint and skin, regular replacement necessary.  
- Mineral oil: lower boiling point (~190 °C), but not hygroscopic, easier to clean, non-toxic, gentle on paintwork and skin, needs to be changed less frequently.  
- DOT and mineral oil must never be mixed, incorrect fluid destroys seals and can lead to sudden brake failure.

Brake fluid: DOT or mineral oil - which is the best brake fluid?

- TRP is expanding the successful EVO Pro with the more affordable EVO Expert (€210) and EVO Comp (€170) models on a shared platform.
- EVO Expert adopts the Pro's hybrid piston technology and offers tool-free reach adjustment, but no pressure point adjustment.
- EVO Comp relies on a classic 4-piston caliper, no hybrid pistons, no tool-free reach adjustment, forged instead of milled levers.

TRP EVO Family: The test-winning disc brake is now available at a low price!

Lots of power, wrong timing: Magura Gustav Pro in a disc brake comparison

- Larger brake discs increase the braking force via a longer lever arm and improve thermal management and fading resistance thanks to a larger friction surface.  
- 140 mm and 160 mm are only suitable for light riders, short or flat terrain; they are undersized for touring, long descents and heavier weights.  
- 180 mm is the trail standard as a compromise, while 203 mm offers maximum braking power and heat stability for >85 kg, E-MTB and long descents.

Small, large or huge: Which brake disc do I need?

Bike brakes: Current test reports ✅ Hydraulic disc brakes✅ Brake accessories for your bike ✅

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Shifters for bikes: Test reports | BIKE

Safety gain or unnecessary technology
"That's why ABS is not a saviour in cycling"

Must-have
The TRP Evo Pro wins the disc brake comparison test

Trickstuff Piccola HD on test
This lightweight brake bites mercilessly!

The most notorious disc brake in the test
Is the SRAM Maven B1 still the benchmark?

More braking power and stability
Galfer Shark Evo Disc in the test

Powerful, but sensitive to heat
Shimano XT brakes (4 pistons) fail the lab test

Size matters
Which brake disc size really fits your bike

Brakes at the limit
How to recognise when discs and pads are due

Brake fluid
DOT or mineral oil - which is the best brake fluid?

TRP EVO Family
The test-winning disc brake is now available at a low price!

Lots of power, wrong timing
Magura Gustav Pro in a disc brake comparison

Small, large or huge
Which brake disc do I need?

Shifters for bikes: Test reports | BIKE

Safety gain or unnecessary technology"That's why ABS is not a saviour in cycling"

Must-haveThe TRP Evo Pro wins the disc brake comparison test

Trickstuff Piccola HD on testThis lightweight brake bites mercilessly!

The most notorious disc brake in the testIs the SRAM Maven B1 still the benchmark?

More braking power and stabilityGalfer Shark Evo Disc in the test

Powerful, but sensitive to heatShimano XT brakes (4 pistons) fail the lab test

Size mattersWhich brake disc size really fits your bike

Brakes at the limitHow to recognise when discs and pads are due

Brake fluidDOT or mineral oil - which is the best brake fluid?

TRP EVO FamilyThe test-winning disc brake is now available at a low price!

Lots of power, wrong timingMagura Gustav Pro in a disc brake comparison

Small, large or hugeWhich brake disc do I need?

Safety gain or unnecessary technology
"That's why ABS is not a saviour in cycling"

Must-have
The TRP Evo Pro wins the disc brake comparison test

Trickstuff Piccola HD on test
This lightweight brake bites mercilessly!

The most notorious disc brake in the test
Is the SRAM Maven B1 still the benchmark?

More braking power and stability
Galfer Shark Evo Disc in the test

Powerful, but sensitive to heat
Shimano XT brakes (4 pistons) fail the lab test

Size matters
Which brake disc size really fits your bike

Brakes at the limit
How to recognise when discs and pads are due

Brake fluid
DOT or mineral oil - which is the best brake fluid?

TRP EVO Family
The test-winning disc brake is now available at a low price!

Lots of power, wrong timing
Magura Gustav Pro in a disc brake comparison

Small, large or huge
Which brake disc do I need?