For my DH bike. The new Tech 4 look nice and I've had a good experiences with Formulas in the past so the 4 piston cura are an option. All experiences and opinions welcome, thanks STW.
Formula is what I'm buying again, my R0's lasted a decade with minimal servicing before any issues (sticky lever return). I'm not convinced any of the big brands are of the same quality. I was going to go 2 pot as they're only slightly less powerful but will be less maintenance and much cheaper. Stick a 220mm rotor on and you'll have enough power anyway
I'm still riding with a variety of brakes and haven't had too much hassle with any of them.
But the stand out ones that have the best lever shape, brake feel and power is the SRAM Level TL brakes that came fitted to my Cannondale Scalpel SE.
The SRAM Guide G2 brakes, which are 4 pot and supposedly more powerful, just aren't as nice to use. Even the lever shape and throw aren't as nice.
Both are relatively budget brakes. I really can't see why you'd pay more as brakes are so good now, even the basic ones.
Edit: Formula are very pretty though 🙂
Loving my Tech 4s
On a DH bike you want the biggest meatiest brakes going I’d have thought. Just pick the brand based on what feel you like:
SRAM Code RSC
Shimano Saint
Magura MT7
If hope I guess the V4 with tech 4 lever
If you have time and money to burn then the Trickstuff Maxima can’t be beaten from what I’ve read
With any brake I’d probably run a 220mm front rotor and 200 rear. I’ve recently switched the front on my Sentinel to a 220 rotor from 200 and it made a noticeable difference
Id say you have the 2 best options there Cura 4 Tech 4 V4... Just pick which you prefer!
I really can’t see why you’d pay more as brakes are so good now, even the basic ones.
I wish this was true.
Tech3 V4's waiting to go on the Ebike. Its just the internal re-hosing faff faff faff thats preventing me from making a start.
Looking forward to trying them out. I reckon they'll be considerably better than the mincey Deore ones came with it.
Lots of good reviews of the Hayes Dominion a4 as well.
Just fitted a set of those Dominions.
Of others I considered, the TRP DH-R Evo is the only one that hasn't already been mentioned.
Lots of reviews (and forum/comments feedback) of all of them across this site, Enduro-MTB, BikeRadar, Loam Wolf, NSMB, and Pinkbike. Some contradictions on comparisons against Code/MT7, but very good nonetheless.
One other place to look if you have a lot of time on your hands is this mega thread Careful though, for me it ended with ordering a set of Trickstuff Direttissimas.
Just picked up a pair of cura 4's from bikester for a good price. Was tempted by the tech 4's but the formulas were half the price..
Hydraulic leverage ratios of some contenders from the spreadsheet that mega thread:
5.1 Shimano M8020
5.2 Magura MT5/MT7
5.3 SRAM Code
5.8 Hope V4 Tech3
5.9 Formula Cura 4
6.0 Trickstuff Direttissima
6.3 TRP DH-R Evo (my own calculation with the same formula, 9mm master, 16mm pistons)
7.0 Hayes Dominion A4
Would be really interesting to group test all these with a standardised pad material.
My 2 cents
SRAM RSC (with 220 Rotors) - Probably the best brakes I've used performance wise. However, they seem to suffer from the SRAM curse of needing to be bled a bit more than they should.
Magura Mt5 (currently with 223/2 Galfer Rotors and EBC metal pads) - Amazing power and good modulation. Can be an arse to bleed, but seem to go a long time between bleeds. Amazing value.
TRP Quadiem G Spec - Beautifully made. Sharper bite than the above, closer to Shimano and still great power. They use Shimano pads too which is handy.
I've had very poor experiences with Hope V4 and E4, although a friend has the new E4 and they do appear to be a lot better.
Do you really want amazing power though? The fast DH racers use the brakes a lot less than we'd like to believe sometimes.
I'd be going more for lever feel and modulation rather than outright power.
Then brake less 😁
Do you really want amazing power though? The fast DH racers use the brakes a lot less than we’d like to believe sometimes.
I’d be going more for lever feel and modulation rather than outright power.
Then brake less 😁
I get what you're saying, but yes I do want amazing power. More power means less effort, means happier hands and more confidence, for me anyway. If you get the right brakes, you can have great feel, modulation and power.
RE DH racers, I am sure they use the brakes a lot less than me. But, I've been watching the Neko Mullaly series about him designing his own bike. He says words to the effect of "DH tracks are so steep now, we're basically on the brakes all the time...". Made me feel better!
Hydraulic leverage ratios of some contenders from the spreadsheet that mega thread:
5.1 Shimano M8020
5.2 Magura MT5/MT7
5.3 SRAM Code
5.8 Hope V4 Tech3
5.9 Formula Cura 4
6.0 Trickstuff Direttissima
6.3 TRP DH-R Evo (my own calculation with the same formula, 9mm master, 16mm pistons)
7.0 Hayes Dominion A4
Keep in mind that lever length is also important when you’re thinking about what is most powerful - a longer leaver gives a greater mechanical advantage at the cost of longer throw and maybe a softer feeling.
Personally I ended up making a purchase based on (reported) lever feel and throw and then I’ll increase rotor size if I think I want more power.
Firstly, go 220 or 223 font and rear before you do the brakes, bigger is better with rotors.
Then secondly, pick a brake brand and be a dick about it... I like SRAM Code RSC would recommend, guides and SLX are the only other brakes I have tried, love the codes with 220 rotors
More power means less effort, means happier hands and more confidence, for me anyway.
+1
Keep in mind that lever length is also important when you’re thinking about what is most powerful – a longer leaver gives a greater mechanical advantage at the cost of longer throw and maybe a softer feeling.
Yes. I omitted this because the spreadsheet has some gaps in the data, and also the opening post on the thread says this:
Total leverage in the spreadsheet depends on both hydraulic and mechanical leverage, and mechanical leverage calculation on the spreadsheet is not accurate. You cannot accurately compare peak force between brakes using the total leverage value, it is a rough guide and only really useful to compare brakes which use the same lever/MC. In fact the mechanical leverage curve changes even based on the reach adjustment setting.
For completeness though - total system leverage:
? Shimano M8020
? TRP DH-R Evo
32.7 SRAM Code
35.6 Hope V4 Tech3 (note Tech4 lever is longer)
36.1 Formula Cura 4
38.6 Magura MT5/MT7 (jumps up a few places, doesn't say which lever)
39.5 Trickstuff Direttissima
41.4 Hayes Dominion A4
Personally I ended up making a purchase based on (reported) lever feel and throw and then I’ll increase rotor size if I think I want more power.
Makes sense. I sometimes find it tricky to interpret descriptions of feel as written by different people, other times I wonder if they were tested with a bad bleed or different pads. I guess there might be a risk with bigger rotors of the system never heating up properly if you're significantly over-braked.
Do you really want amazing power though? The fast DH racers use the brakes a lot less than we’d like to believe sometimes.
Yes.
Racers, AIUI, brake late & hard for as little time as possible. Hence all the power in the world is preferable
I run dominions and am a big fan. I weigh bugger all, so I don't need huge power, but what I do look like is not having to really grab the levers to get that power because my wrists and hands are in a bit of a state.
I really like the Hayes Dominions. They felt great and did a great job of stopping the 100+kg of current self while hurtling downhill very fast. No problems with fade or anything like that (although I’ve never been much of a brake dragger) and the feel was very good.
For not I pretty much always run 200/180 f/r on every bike I’ve ever owned that wasn’t a jump bike.
I've had my head swivelled by these...
I know nothing about them. I'm trying not to look to hard because I'm currently not in bike mode and have a thousand other things competing for my money.
Do you really want amazing power though? The fast DH racers use the brakes a lot less than we’d like to believe sometimes.
If you're racing DH, you do. Slowing from 50 km/h to 25 requires dissipating three times as much energy as from 25 to zero. DH racers may use the brakes less than XC trail riders, but they will use them ferociously hard.
@sharkattack third item down.
My head has been turned by these
https://612-parts.com/products-2/
Upgrade caliper for code or XTR levers.
Braking ones are 26mm two piston. Hydraulic leverage ratios - some serious power:
6.0 Trickstuff Direttissima
6.3 TRP DH-R Evo
6.8 Braking (10mm master cylinder)
7.0 Hayes Dominion A4
8.3 Braking (9mm master cylinder)
Got Codes on my 50lb e-bike and they stop me just fine. Big fan of Hope Tech (whatever version I've got) that I've had for 15 years, never serviced, have a damaged piston and still work
I’ve had my head swivelled by these…
They look like Hope's with a naff logo (but still look nice tbf)
Thanks for all your answers and the link to the mega thread. The Hayes look good, if I can get them without paying import tax, otherwise cura. The expensive options look great but I 'd rather keep the money for some new bars. Thanks, STW.