Skip to main content

Shimano XTR M9020 Trail brakes


SHIMANO’S FLAGSHIP TRAIL brake looks beautiful and potentially has stunning control and modulation but we’ve struggled to get consistent performance on several sets we’ve used.

For 15$ more than the magnesium bodied M9000 XC version, the Trail gets several extra features. These include leverage-changing Servo-Wave roller cam action between blade and piston to give plenty of pad clearance when ‘off’ but more power at the point of contact. There’s also a ‘free stroke’ adjuster that theoretically changes bite point and a reach adjuster on the knuckle of the super-short and broad carbon blade. At the brake end you get Shimano’s unique Ice Tech pads (resin fitted, with a sintered set in the box). They advise using the brakes with their ‘frilled’ Freeza rotors to keep as much heat as possible away from the mineral oil powered system.

On a good set this all combines to create a lightweight and adequately powerful set-up. Once you’re used to the Servo-Wave cam action, modulation through the stubby levers is fantastically rich too. Unfortunately we’ve been having repeated issues with dramatically changing bite point (up to 6mm) between first and second lever pulls, even on sets bled by Shimano’s own mechanics. We’ve spotted updates on newer test samples that should remedy this nerve-racking issue and deliver the performance you’d expect at this price.

Weight: 408g

Price 363$








Labels

Popular posts from this blog

Merida Big Nine 100

Wit the bikes swapped over, we head out on the same loop again, this time on the 29in Big Nine 100. Whereas the Big Seven was snappy off the line, the 29er takes a couple more pedal strokes to get up to speed. That said, once it's up there, it's easy to keep the big wheels rolling, allowing us to cover ground with ease. The fire road is at times a little rough, and the bigger wheels roll over the imperfections so we barely notice them.

READ MORE >>

Chromag HiFi 35 (50mm) stem

This is a seriously solid stem. Chromag use 5mm Allen bolts throughout, which makes it that bit easier to fit because you don’t have to swap tools. Once torqued up to the recommended 6-8Nm, it clamps both steerer and bar solidly, with no appreciable flex. We couldn’t get it to twist on the steerer, either in our static test or when riding. It’s also available in a 35mm length and three other colours. At 204g the HiFi is the heaviest stem on test by some margin, despite being one of the more expensive offerings here. Price $112

READ MORE >>

Cannondale Trail SL 29 SS

The fat aluminium tubes are a constrast to the skinny items seen elsewhere in the test, but this rigid Cannondale uses them to create one of the most old-school - and lightest - rides here.

READ MORE >>

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.

READ MORE >>

Trek Session Evolution

In this series we’re looking at the evolution of three bikes that enjoy enduring popularity with UK riders. Each fits into a different category – we’ve had a hardtail and a full-suspension trail bike, so for this final feature it’s the turn of the long-travel bike. And few ‘big bikes’ have undergone such a transformation as the Trek Session, which had a bit of a confused birth at a time of overlapping disciplines but has evolved into a sleek, lightweight race bike with multiple World Cup wins to its name.

READ MORE >>