brakes SRAM vs Shimano vs Magura?

Thinking of brakes within the same sort of currently available price bracket, soemwhere between £120-170 for a set.

I like shimano brakes, but they can be a bit weepy, not all, but some and it seems you take your chances.

I also like the feel of sram brakes, I’ve a level T on one bike which works well, and I did like the feel of the elixir when they worked.

Magura I’ve not tried in years after having consistent variable bite on several sets of martas. I beleve they use thicker rotors than shimano/SRAM?

given I can get something around SLX/Level TM/MT trail for similar budget, what would be the go to for a mincer? I’m very tempted by the Maguras, but know little about how they perform, other than a good way to shed 100g off the bike!

Cura Brake – Black FD94175-CU

A little bit above your budget, but, they dont do weird shit or fall apart after two years.

Have 3 pairs, the oldest must be coming up 4 years old, they get the occasional bleed and piston clean.

Same recommendation but cheaper

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/formula-cura-disc-brake-set

+1 for the Formula Cura

… although MT5 are nice too.

Formula Cura’s feel lovely, but annoying pivot slop almost from new puts me off them. Also the link above to the pair from bike discount… Don’t forget your import duty plus any extra delivery charges! The Elro distribution link before it is the UK distributor, so no hidden charges.

Personally I can’t get past the modulation and control of SRAM brakes. No wandering bite point, no stick in the spokes then nothing delivery, just a lovely smooth controlled delivery…

SRAM G2 RS’s available online for well inside your budget for a pair right now. That’s probably what I’d go for.

Curve ball though… Original Guide RE’s (Old Code caliper on a Guide R lever) are £44.99 an end from Tredz right now!

Trp slate evo for £90. I have these and have been very impressed.  Feel is like a shimano with modulation

I had guide re’s before, which are great when working, but master cylinder issues on all sets put paid to that.  I wouldn’t go near seam brakes again.

That budget, second hand set of Code RSC’s off Pinkbike/Ebay.

Just to say…

If anybody needs any SRAM rotors. I’ve got a box full of the bloody things! 😂 I need to get round to listing them on eBay but barely worth anything these days it would seem…

Trp slate evo for £90. I have these and have been very impressed

Likewise

They are £99 now though and you still have to add rotors

Son has Magura MT5 calipers with Shimano SLX levers. Decided to go Shigura after a crash resulted in a broken Magura lever. Bloody hell they bite hard. He really likes them and the Shimano levers haven’t broken yet.

I am very happy with my Magura MT Trail Sport.

Can get for £130-140, eg:

https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/magura-trail-sport-brakes/137337190/p?id_producte=9596264&country=uk

https://www.bike-components.de/en/Magura/MT-Trail-Sport-Carbotecture-Disc-Brake-Set-p57338/?o=493800891-black-mystic-grey-set-front-rear-&delivery_country=GB

Plus maybe £20 per rotor.

All three have their pros and cons, Shimano are easy to live with if you get a functioning set, spares are easy to get, as are pads, but get a bad pair and the wandering bite point issue is a PITA to deal with. Same with SRAM pads are easy, spares are easy, bleeding can be an arse until you get the hang of it, otherwise, like Shimano they’re easy to live with. Of those three last on my list would be Magura just because pads/spares will always be a thankless trawl through endless websites for someone with stock.

Alternatively there’s this set of Clarks that get consistently good reviews for not much cash if you looking outside the two big S 

My experience from the last 3 years is-

Sram G2 – won’t actually stop you. Extremely low on power.

Shimano – feel good, decent power, could be fine, could leak and need new calipers.

Tektro DHR Evo – feel good, but nowhere near as powerful as you’d expect.

Magura MT Trail SL – awful feel, pads run way too close to the rotor, no power.

Formula Cura 4 – alright but don’t feel great

Formula Cura – incredibly reliable, great feel, loads of power. They’re great. They’re actually cheapest from eBay from Italy – seller kw570 has them for £190 and I didn’t pay VAT either time I ordered from them. Way cheaper than the UK distributor.

cheers, not really considered the formula brakes before, but heard good things about them, albeit a while ago for older models. The Cura may work well, I’m a gripshift user so a longer lever could be useful (not that shimano levers are that much of a problem).

looks like the slates are out of stock on merlin.

Son has Magura MT5 calipers with Shimano SLX levers.

so there are no issues with running magura calipers with 1.8mm rotors?

After years of only shimano 2 pot, I have managed to end up with each of the above 4 pots. The Magura have the best feel (modulation it seems to be called) so you can be gentle and use to take off a little speed in a really smooth way. When you pull them hard it’s really difficult not launching yourself over the bike and off a cliff, they are bonkers. BUT, the levers are cheap feeling- composite but with self tapping type screws on the clamps MT5, the normal levers are long (1 finger replacement expensive). I can’t get the shimano shifter sat nicely on the clamp.
Saints- look great, fab levers, do the job, not as much control, powerful, lots of reports of the problems with shimano.
SRAM, cheap ones again 4 pot on an EMTB, very good stoppers, nothing bad, nothing special.
If I was building a big fancy bike, Speccing everything carefully I’d go Shigura all day long. The combo of the awesome shimano lever and shifter clamp with the mega stopping ness of the Magura has got to be the holy grail.
Big heavy EMTB defo std MT5
Cheapo build- MT5
I’d also look at it he Hayes Dominium- lovely looking build quality, good reviews, been on sale.
Sorry for the long post, I’m boring myself now.

I personally haven’t found a do-it-all, perfect brake system.

Used Deore then XT 2 pots for years. Tons of power, instant on and off, wandering bite point only on the rear XT from new but easily solved with a bleed. Both developed the leaking caliper seal issues after a couple of years though leading to squealing rotors.

Currently using SRAM G2 RS with resin pads and Centerline rotors. They are ok but nothing special. Power isn’t great for 4 pot. Sticky pistons always a problem. Bleeding looks complicated so will no doubt need to take them to the LBS when they need doing.

If any spare cash comes my way I might give Magura or Formula a try.

If you can wait until Dec 16th or so, I have some new SRAM Level you can have for the price of the postage. I took them off a new bike. Actually have 2 sets inc new pads. If you can in addition run to a charity donation, they are yours. PM me if interested.

Everyone will have a different view – and it also depends on the riding you do.

Ive had bad experiences with Shimano brakes leaking out of caliper seals and variable bite point on some levers. So I avoid them like the plague. There are a huge volume of these brakes out there though so a lot of people must have good ones. Deore 4 pots would be my starting point to buy Shimano brakes if going with that brand.

I like Sram brakes – got Codes on both mtbs. I think they’re worth the money over levels and guides / G2 and they aren’t that much heavier. I’ve been running Code R with a 220mm front rotor and 180mm rear in my big bike and 200/180 on my hardtail. Just picked up a Code RSC to try – meant to be more powerful again. For a budget sram option the Guide RE is pretty potent – it has the basic Guide R lever but with the previous Code brake caliper so it’s quite powerful. If you can get those £45 an end from Tredz as mentioned above that’s a bargain.

Magura are one I’ve not tried (other than ancient hydraulic rim brakes) and are said to be really powerful. I think the bleeding is meant to be fiddly to get perfect – but other then that and slightly plasticky levers they’re meant to be strong.

Formula Cura 4s get good reviews but I haven’t tried them myself.

If you don’t tend to crash, Magura might be best.

They feel great, but the levers are a bit fragile.

Personally I stick with Shimano and just deal with the odd issue.

Having gone through the leaky shimano cycle of endless replacement of one end or other, I avoid them now. Magura MT5s would be my choice. I run them with a shorter ‘bruni’ lever and they feel great. Not as much modulation as the longer lever, but ideal if coming from shimanos. Bleeding – the trick is related to not trapping air in the master cylinder, so after a regular bleed you need to rotate it to the lever blade pointing up, tap it a bit, then do a final lever bleed and the last pesky bubble will pop out. They are also better with the thicker magura rotor. Any old thinner rotor will work, but it’s worth the extra to get the proper thicker rotors.

I’ve been lucky with lots of  Shimano brakes (SLX/XT/Zee 2 & 4 pot) having never had the wandering bite point.

However, my vibe ebike came with MT5s and I really liked them. Bought a set of sale MT7s for the hardtail. They definitely have more modulation than Shimano, good for the winter HT! Lever does feel a bit plastic-y but I’ve never felt the need to swap it.

Didn’t bother with the Magura rotors for the HT, but will probably upgrade at some point. I don’t feel they lack power tho. I like the magnetic pads – first replacement pair were Galfer which are fine, next set will be Superstar as they had an offer on a few weeks ago. Uber do them as well I think.

Done around 2000km between the two pairs and not had to bleed them yet.

From what we are running

Shimano Saint. If I had to pick it would be these.

SRAM Code RSC joint second choice

SRAM Guide RE joint second choice.

For the price difference  the REs are an awesome brake

Magura MT7 we have persivered with these that came with one of the Turbo Levos. Bike shop have looked at them as have Magura whilst in Finale. They just lack the power of the others. Have been told that Oak levers will solve this but that’s a big chunk of money for levers

Once other half has recovered then thy will probably come off to be replaced by Saints or REs

Magura MT Trail SL – awful feel, pads run way too close to the rotor, no power.

Have you bedded them in properly? Magura can take a bit more work to bed properly than other brands. There’s definitely something wrong there.

Over the many years I have had:

Early Hope mono minis-good at the time, super reliable.  Formula something’s remember them being a bit fragile and not made very well but I imagine that may well be different now  

Shimano Zee-great reliable brakes. Good modulation, reasonable power. Shimano XT single pot-lots of power but wandering bite point from the start which I couldn’t get rid of and not as much modulation as shimano 4 pots. Shimano Deore single pot-reliable but average power and modulation. Sram Code- good power and modulation. Sticky pistons. Easy to bleed. Sram Guide re-as above. Sram level t- good lever feel. Low on power. Soon got changed out. TRP slate. Practically the same as Shimano Zee.

Currently have deore 4 pots on the hardtail-  good power and modulation. Have had to replace a caliper due to leaking piston seals and they just aren’t as good as:magura MT5 on the full sus- loads of modulation and power. Easily the most powerful of the lot. That’s the 2 finger levers which I can set up fine using 1 finger and 2mm thick 200mm storm rotors.If I was buying again it would be the Maguras. The lever construction isn’t the best but I have had no issues with it. Bleeding is easy (albeit not as easy as the double syringe sram) and they can be had for not much over £100 from R2 in Germany. If I really wanted to treat myself I would consider the new hopes or if I won the lottery I would love to try some Trickstuff. 

It’s worth pointing out that Magura have a five year leak proof warranty (though that’s probably invalidated for using non-Magura pads or discs)…

Lot’s of replies already, so I don’t have much to add…

I think any of the sets mentioned here can use thicker rotors if you wish. I have used 2.0 and 2.2 in Magura and Formula.

Maguras can work nice, but I think the original level blades are trash. My wife really likes the OAK Components levers, but it adds to the cost. And she recently made use of the leak proof guarantee to get a totally new brake after 4 years of use, no questions about pads and discs.

Cura lever blades do develop play. It doesn’t affect performance very much, if at all. The fix requires a new lever blade for lever pivot play because the bushings aren’t available alone. The lever blades are inexpensive. But the piston pivot requires a piston kit, which adds to the expense and faff. I have changed mine for a CNC lever (EMRG?) with roller bearings. Lasted well so far, but not as comfortable. I think they’re updating the shape soon.

Or how about these?https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/sram-code-r-rear-disc-brake

I’ll caveat that I’m not sure if a rear can just be flopped to form a front.  As these have the stealthamajig thing, it should be too hard to shorten the hose on one to make a front set?

Maybe….

Those Code R are cheap. Lever is flip flop I think – could just shorten the hose for a front. Just check that 1450mm is a long enough hose for the rear of your bike.

thanks all, still not decided, but checking the used market.

sram I’m thinking level TLM, I don’t need 4 pots really. But will keep an eye out for the formula brakes too.

so there are no issues with running magura calipers with 1.8mm rotors?

He’s running Magura rotors.

Shimano Zee-great reliable brakes

I had zees and loved them but both front and rear developed micro-leaks at the caliper and were refunded within warranty period. The missed bike time means I avoid them now.

I’m a fan of guide RE’s for power/price.

SRAM brakes generally have been more reliable for me. So many of each out there they will all have issues, but your viewpoint tends to be focussed on your own experiences.

Ended up actually making a decision and getting the Level TLM from merlin for £150 the set, which I think is a bit of a deal.

magura I could have got, but wasn’t sure about the rotors, read that if used with standard rotors it may cause problems as they wear as it goes beyond the wear limit for the calipers. magura standard are 2mm with max wear of 1.8, whereas shimano start at 1.8 with a max wear of 1.5.

The cura’s looked good, but a little high end of the budget.

I had put the level ultimates in my wiggle basket yesterday with a view to use two fronts and make a set. I reckon with the two coming in just shy of £140, factor in hose and clamps and I’d have a set of ultimates for £160-170. However this morning I was going to pull the plug to find they’d gone up to £190 for the two, so, no…..pushes it too far up the budget for me for carbon levers and a bit of titanium (I can’t believe I’ve just said that, what have I become..)

I suppose if I were going £200+ I’d probably plump for a set of LewisBrakes for £250 and a 5 week delivery time…

so no, happy with my £150 TLM’s.

cheers everybody.

LewisBrakes?? Anyone running them? Is this Trickstuff level braking for less ££s? Or more like Clarkes etc?

There were a couple of folk who have them on chinertown and like them.

If I had that budget I’d happily give them a go.

I know the OP has already bought some brakes, but I’m absolutely chuffed with the TRP Slate Evos from Merlin.

They’d still be great brakes for about £200, so at £89 they’re brilliant 😎