Having just had my second set of SRAM brakes succumb to the seal/cylinder issues in the levers it is time for some new brakes. While I'd like to thing SRAM have addressed this issue on post-2017 brakes, I won't be opting for SRAM again...
So what recommendations do people have? Ideally I'd like to find a pair for <£200 but I'm open to going over that if they're exceptional brakes. They'll be going on my Sonder Transmitter, and I'd go as far to say I ride natural trails more the trail centres.
<£200
Shimano Zee
Magura MT5
or
>£200
Hope X2 or E3
Magura MT7
Hayes Dominion
Preference for low maintenance and reliable as I like a bit of bike packing / longer rides.
Cheap cheerful option is Shimano, the new Deore 4-pots are very good, but as with all Shimano brakes if they do go wrong you'll struggle to fix them.
Hope E4's are the wise choice these days it seems. X2's are a little light on power for anything other than pure XC work, but the Tech 3 levers are reliable, highly adjustable and rock solid and the E4 caliper delivers enough, if not loads of power. Pleased with both sets of mine over the past few years and I know others that have gone for years with nothing more than pad changes. They are more expensive than others, but given the reliability and back-up from Hope they make for great value brakes in the long run.
Never underestimate TRP’s braking prowess. Decent kit.
I’d go for Hayes Dominions or TRP GSPEC Quadiems 👍😁
If your fed up with seal issues I'd be avoiding Shimano as well.
If you don't need 4 pots in the back then a mixed hope e4/x2 is a good combo. Not felt under braked with those and 180mm rotors on my rocket. Or the magura mt trail brakes with the same 4/2 mix.
E4s all day long for me, i've had guides and still have xt, but they do fail,
so far a year of running 2 sets of E4s and no need for a bleed, no power loss.
they arent as sharp are guides or xt but they are far better quality imho
I'm circa 90-92kg fuly loaded, if you are a 65kg whippet X2 may work
If Magura, look at MT Trail for the nicer lever.
Top reviewed alternative would be Formula Cura (2-pots) which come in under £200 and are what I'm going for next.
+1 MT Trail Sport are great. I've got a set on my Solaris and love em.
Mantel have them for £128 a pair!
https://www.mantel.com/uk/magura-mt-trail-sport-disc-brake&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping
I have been a fan of the Forumla Cura 2 piston I have currently, although at 6ft4 and 110+kg I find them a little light on power, so I will soon be moving the 2 piston ones to my Genesis tarn and getting a set of the new 4 piston Cura 4 for my Smuggler.
Starbike have the Cura 4 at around £200 - £220 which is the cheapest around, but they seem to sell out quickly. I am waiting for new stock so I can order mine.
The new Forumla rotors are cheap on Lordgun bike too!
Formula Cura are probably going to be my next brake. I've run Shimano, Sram and Formula in the past and Formula are the only ones that still work well years later with barely any maintenance.
Never had any seal problems with Shimano brakes and neither has anyone else I know.
Deore 4 pots are excellent and very cheap at the moment.
JP