Magura MTS Hydraulic Disc Brakes: On Test- Guitar Ted
Recently we had some discussion with Magura regarding the TS8R 120mm suspension fork we have on test with Grannygear and c_g. (Post can be seen here In those conversations we asked about Magura’s new “Carbotecture” brake line up. Magura has broken new ground in hydraulic disc brake technology by making the entire master cylinder/perch/lever out of carbon fiber. The Magura folks thought the review sounded like a good idea, so now we have a set of MTS model brakes to check out.
Magura's MTS brakes
Here is a bit of info on these brakes supplied to us by Magura:
The new model MTS brakes are a combination of components, (originally made to Specialized specifics), including the MT4 Carbotecture MC body. The MTS also features a light alloy lever blade (without BAT adjustment) and the MT6 one piece caliper with pivoting Banjo. Weight 320 gr.
And from the Magura site:
MTS – Technology
Open hydraulic disc brake system with completely integrated reservoir. EBT technology for superfast and convenient bleeding. Dual piston fixed caliper with automatic pad wear adjustment in a smart DAD (Double Arch Design) for maximum stiffness. Pad wear thickness can be checked without removal of the pads. The master is made out of our innovative Carbotecture® SL with a incredible light and durable aluminium lever blade. Featuring a cool look, distinctively enhanced durability and optimized friction performance for stunning brake power. Available with 203, 180, 160 and 140 mm diameter. Featherlight aluminium 2-finger blade with integrated reach adjust.
Weight | From 320 g/0.61 lbs. onwards incl. 160 mm Storm SL-Rotor.
Colours | Brake lever and caliper in a cool black body with silver specials.
Guarantee | 5-year leakproof warranty after online registration on magura.com Designed and manufactured in Germany!
There is loads of info to be checked out on these at the Magura site. (Click here.) Stay tuned for an Out Of The Box/First Impressions post coming soon.
Note: Magura sent the MTS brake set to Twenty Nine Inches at no charge. We are not being paid, nor bribed for this review and we will strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.
Magura’s quality truly does trickle down. I have MT8′s and the bottom of the line MT2′s (below these even that are being reviewed) as well. Top to bottom, the quality is there with really just weight and finish being the main changes. Yes, the MT8′s feel more powerful but only slightly and that is to be expected between a $100 a wheel brake vs a $400 a wheel brake. Good stuff.
You’ll really dig the brakes GT! Damn nice people too and great customer service.
Love my Marta SL’s except for the reach to the levers. I wear large gloves, do not have small hands, adjusted as close as possible, just reach the levers with finger tips.
Do the new brakes have levers that adjust closer or a new bend that allows the reach to be less?
The new Shimanos are a good example of a closer reach.
Thanks
@Dirtaoist: Yes- the MTS has a reach adjustment. I’ll post some images of the range of adjustment in my next post.
the ol’ louis bat had a stupid lever. I suppose there are aftermarket swap options. I did like seeing people rock the rubber-band-dead-zone-eliminator move. They stop really well, but they aren’t worth $230 a pair. An aluminum lever blade is key. The carbon louis would bend and one of them popped out of its joint slightly (scary when you land a jump then your brake has no grab). My friend broke his lever joint in a similar way (things break when you hit them so you can’t really blame it, but aluminum beats plastic and carbon any day). I waited a year for the hayes primes then dialed in the dead zone as slim as possible. I love it, but now I’ve learned that the less I use the brakes the more fun I have. Moral of the story? Squeeze the lever before you pull the trigger. The hard part is finding a shop that actually carriers nice brakes like XT-XTR, Hopes, Hayes Primes, and the like. Around most of minnesota its either avid mechanical or avid hyrdo.
Oh please don’t mention Loise ! I’m still burnt from early Magura brakes and the name still sends a shiver down my spine. I’m sure things have changed. Look forward to your review.
Eric and Professed-You are talking about brakes from 3-4 years ago at best. I’ve had Marta’s up until now for the last 4 years ago….zero problems which friends on avids, shimano (pre change, now awesome), hayes, and formula can’t say.
Magura’s stuff really has been very very good for some time. Just a few internet legends at best of bad performance. Either way, Louis and Marta are gone from the line up so it’s not worth mentioning. And going back to those days NO ONE made a great brake. Heck still to this day I’d say the only reliable brakes out there are Shimano and Magura. Even the low end of both (SLX and the MT2′s) out perform other brands high end stuff. Seriously, check ‘em out.
@All: Nice, lively commenting here. let’s step back a minute.
I think, (as Sevo alluded to), many advancements in disc brake performance have been made in the last five years. (As a mechanic at a shop, I can provide several examples across the board of brands that had issues. But that’s the past.)
Let’s see how these measure up, shall we?
The Carbotecture technology is something unique and interesting in the disc brake field. Magura is placing a high emphasis on it. I think our review will be fair, honest, and a great test for these brakes. If anything doesn’t measure up, you can be sure I’ll talk about it.
Sometimes manufacturers stub their toes, (think early 2000′s Manitou forks), then come back with something stellar, (Manitou Tower Pro of today), so we’ll give these a go and see how they stack up against the competition.
Stay tuned…..
These brakes must have some interesting hydraulic engineering in the lever (not just the material). I have MT6’s, which I like, but they have too much dead travel. With my Marta’s this is adjusted by overfilling the reservoir. On the MT6’s overfilling does not change the dead travel very much – the reservoir seems to include a fancy (idiot proof) circuit. Granted, they are easy to bleed – I’m sure that was the goal. Maybe you’ll have the same experience and maybe you can get Magura to provide some insight for curious readers like me.
I’ve been using a set of MT4s since last March and absolutely love the feel and stopping power. They were a snap to set-up as well. My only knock on them is that I seem blow through the “performance” pads pretty quickly. I just changed to using the endurance pads and haven’t noticed any real difference in braking performance. We’ll see if they last any longer.
Remember when v brakes hit the market, compared to cantilever they were frigging awesome. Still did not work in the wet. I still have some Avid’s Ultimate’s on my 26″ SS. I’ve used Hayes, Avid’s and my new fave Shimano XT, quite one finger braking. Still drool over Hope’s though. These look sweet but will they work as good as Shimano’s ?
good to hear that they improved. I’m interested to hear the review.
@Motivated – I hear ya. Dead travel is a big issue.