Skip to main content

Magura MTS brakes


MAGURA’S MTS IS the odd one out in an otherwise numerical brake line-up. For 30$ more than the MT4, you get a composite master cylinder and lightweight Storm SL rotor, producing a race-weight brake at a reasonable price.

While the composite body gives a soft rather than sharp lever feel, there’s good, consistent modulation for messy conditions. Power is lower than average, but as the rotors are light, upsizing won’t weigh you down. Super-long hoses mean that cutting and bleeding is inevitable but it’s doable without needing a bleed kit. Reliability of recent Maguras has been good, though they need extensive and patient bedding-in.

Overall, a usefully light, reliable and communicative brake, but with relatively weak stopping power.

WEIGHT 414g
POWER 92Nm

PRICE: 265$


Popular posts from this blog

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

DRC X-Monitor SP1 lap timer

While smartphone apps such as Strava can be a useful way to keep tabs on your mountain bike rides, sometimes you just can’t beat the simplicity and instant feedback that a good old-fashioned stopwatch style lap timer provides.

Scott Scale 950

The Scale 950 uses the now traditional-for-cross-country 29er wheels to excellent effect, with a fast but fun character that's happy racing or railing.

CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

  S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.

Formula CR3 brakes

The CR3 features a cartridge-type master, which improves power and modulation, plus it is super simple to service: The self-enclosed unit threads directly into the lever body. I took apart our test set and had it back together and bled in 10 minutes with no special tools. Like Formula’s RO brakes, the caliper pistons are actually oval, making more surface area–and thus, more power–than round pistons, but simpler than a four-piston system. The CR3 is best suited for aggressive trail riding.