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First Look: Magura Introduces MT NEXT Brakes – Class Leading Weights & New Four Piston Models

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Magura-Next-MT-8Since 1893, Magura has been an innovator in the field of hydraulic engineering, and that experience paid dividends in the late 80s when the company began to produce hydraulic brakes for mountain bikes. Now with over twenty five years of experience behind the product, the company is introducing their new MT NEXT product line, which takes a radically new approach to brake master cylinder technology. These advancements consist of a major rethink of the features and material properties used in the construction of their brakes.

The last model generation of Magura brakes utilized directionally oriented carbon fibers in the master cylinder body, which was mated to a lever blade that was a mix of short and medium fibers in a thermoplastic resin to produce some seriously light weight brakes. We won’t have the final details until the brakes are officially unveiled at their U.S. press launch next week, but the new MT line of brakes feature a unique Carbotecture SL and Carbotecture technology to shave even more grams and offer better deceleration performance. All we know currently is that the new material is the same found in BMW motorcycle levers.

Each of the different new brakes in the NEXT line up has a one piece chassis that has been optimized for lightweight. To illustrate this point, consider that the new brake levers are approximately just 20% of the total weight of the system, while the caliper (with disc and hose) account for the remainder, which is to say they’ve added material where it’s needed and reduced it where they could.

Also new is the magnetiXchange brake pad system, which they claim greatly simplifies brake pad replacement. The final big update this year is that the pivot point is now 20mm closer to the handlebar, which provides better ergonomics and a more linear power delivery.

The MT8 (pictured above) is the lightest brake that Magura currently offers. They’ve been able to achieve an impressive sub 300g brake (299gm front brake with 800mm cable, 160mm rotor, and screws) by utilizing a full carbon brake lever and what Magura is calling Carbolay tech. MRSP for the brakes will be $370 and you can expect to find these at dealers starting in June.

 

Magura-Next-MT-6The MT6 Brake is 320 gm and weighs a hair over 30g more than the MT8, but will save you a hundred dollars. At an MSRP of $270, they share many of the same feature sets as the higher end model, but use an alloy lever to bring down costs.

Magura-Next-MT-4The MT4 will retail for a modest $160 per brake when it goes on sale later this summer and only weighs about 45g more than the carbon-tastic MT8. It lacks toolless adjustment, but still has the easy to use magnetiXchange brake pad system, and a one piece caliper design.

Magura-Next-MT-2At the most affordable end of the spectrum, the entry level MT2 model weighs an impressively light 365g (front brake with 800mm of cable, 160mm rotor, and screw sans adapter). To give you a rough idea of how light that is, an uncut Shimano XT brake (housing and caliper, no hardware) weighs a claimed 300 grams, and you’ll still need to factor in at least another 100g for the rotor,etc…

If the performance is as good as Magura claims, this will be an excellent OE spec for lower priced XC and smaller travel trail bikes.

Magura-Next-MT-7

Also new from Magura is four pistons brakes. We spy’d these initially at Sea Otter, but now we have a few more details. These new models borrow heavily from their extensive motorcycle background and could be considered downsized replicas of their super moto caliper. The technology will be incorporated into their MT7 and MT5 brakes, which are designed for the rigors of Enduro and DH.

The MT7 model will weigh 355g and offer the best braking performance in the line up. Retail will be $320 a brake, but the more affordable MT5 will offer a similar feature set for $200. Magura-Next-MT5The main difference between the two is that the MT5 loses the tool-free lever reach and higher end carbon construction. Weight also goes up by 25g.

We will have a lot more information on the new product line in the next few weeks after Zach heads to Sedona for press camp. Stay tuned for more technical details, information, and ride impressions!

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Matt Ackland
Matt Ackland
9 years ago

Formula R1 Racing still have Magura beat….
Mine were 160gm per end for Lever/Caliper and untrimmed braided hoses

Bas
Bas
9 years ago

matt, i believe the weight includes the rotor, too. only bad i can say about my mt8 is the ridiciously soft material used for the bleed screws.

mateo
mateo
9 years ago

@bas – they make the screws soft on purpose to keep you from stripping the master cylinder. much better to replace a bleed screw than a carbon master cylinder. those bleed screws need VERY little torque

MulletRacer
MulletRacer
9 years ago

Maguras are awesome if you like things made of plastic.

John Spitt
John Spitt
9 years ago

With MT’s magura just made a finicky brakes…

chsad
chsad
9 years ago

I really want to like these and trust Magura. However my MT experience left me simply uninspired. I chose the MT4 based upon their weight/cost ratio and the fact that they shared many attributes of the upper end of the line-up. I also chose the SL rotor.

I found that the levers had to much travel, power came on to slowly for me and a ton of noise. Combine that with a leaky master cylinder and just an overall finish (wobbly lever), that I would describe as un-polished pushed me back to Shimano (XTR 985 that I had from another bike).

First class, helpful and friendly customer service. They happily warrantied the master cylinder through my LBS and even took the time to message me regarding brake pads and the different compounds they use and how that can effect noise. They are definitely “the passion people” as their old advertisement stated.

So as much as I like the look of those MT8’s in that top picture, it would take some convincing for me to give up the XTR 985’s that I have been using and go back and “trust Magura”.

Matt
Matt
9 years ago

These look really nice, but it is hard to move away from XTR when they have worked perfect for me in every conceivable condition without fail.

J Train
J Train
9 years ago

I’ve warrantied too many customers’ master cylinders to ever pick up a set of Magura’s for myself.

@mateo They make the bleed port screws out of plastic, and while it is better to replace a screw than an MC, just a tiny bit of friction in the threads during removal and then it’s time to get creative for getting that thing out. The screws strip so easily that you end up replacing both. . It’s more for weight savings than anything, IMO. You don’t see any other manufacturer doing that. Put at least an alloy screw in there and stamp a Nm spec on the side of the MC like they do for every other component–problem solved.

A North Idaho Rider
A North Idaho Rider
9 years ago

I love my MT6s. I am proud to say that I have never had an issue. My customers haven’t had issues aside from the recall. Magura also converted me from Avid (which isn’t saying much) and Shimano. Looking forward to using these bad boys.

craigsj
craigsj
9 years ago

Yeah, the bleed screws are completely unacceptable. Can’t say I cared for the lever feel or anything else about my MT8’s either, but the bleed screw stripping out was the last straw. Frankly, Magura’s new stuff is junk.

Hard to beat Shimano these days. Wish they were easier to bleed.

JMS
JMS
9 years ago

My R1 Racing 2014 have a combined weight of 382gr original and UNCUT.
Have picture if needed 🙂

After cutting I am expecting around 360-365gr.

Cheers,
J

MsC
MsC
9 years ago

How about the brake judder at low speeds, as found on the current MT6 and MT8 offerings with Storm SL rotors? Can the rear wheel now easily be locked? Is the pressure point firmer?

Colin
Colin
9 years ago

@craigsj, you wish shimano brakes were even EASIER to bleed?? Sounds like you probably shouldn’t be working on your own bikes, seeing as Shimano brakes are some of, if not the, easiest brakes on the market to bleed.

samwise
samwise
9 years ago

I work at a LBS and have ridden (and warrantied) way too many squishy, terrible feeling, terribly performing Magura brakes. Even the lowest level Deore brakes feel better and are more reliable. And XTs and XTRs feel exponentially better.

HUGO
HUGO
9 years ago

In Brazil, Shimano dominates, either xt or xtr!we mostly see slx at local.

Collin
Collin
9 years ago

I still love my hopes and avids, everyone says they suck but they have been the best brakes I have ridden, and i have ridden them all. When i first saw the prototypes at sea otter for the four piston, i thought they motorcycle brakes…… these look much better

rocko
rocko
9 years ago

Using magnets as pad retaining “spring” totally nuts… Last time Hayes used this on their lowend Stroker Ride whitout much success.

Mike
Mike
9 years ago

You couldn’t pay me to use another pair of Magura brakes. I switched from a pair of MT6s to MT8s and those “top of the line” brakes were terrible. No modulation and no power. If you ever have to bleed these brakes yourself, you might as well throw them in the garbage. I went through a couple master cylinders before I finally said enough and sold them on ebay (for less than half of what I paid for them). I bought a set of XTR M987s and they are awesome! Great modulation, lots of power, and EASY to bleed. They are heavier than Magura by a few hundred grams but well worth it. If you do have to stick with Maguras (I still have a set of OEM MT6s on my spec hardtail), then don’t go above the 6 level and for god sakes avoid bleeding them like you would ebola.

I know some will probably say they love Maguras but I gave them every chance possible and they ultimately failed me.

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