Complete MTB brakes

How to choose a complete mountain bike disc brake

A complete brake supplied pre-bled avoids compatibility errors between lever, hose and caliper. Shimano (Deore, SLX, XT, XTR), SRAM (Level, Code, Maven) and Magura cover everything from cross-country to downhill, individually or as pairs.

How many pistons?

• 2 pistons : cross-country and light trail riding, progressive braking and low weight.
• 4 pistons : enduro, downhill and electric mountain bikes, with greater power and thermal endurance.
• The number of pistons determines the brake pad: check pad availability before choosing.

Front, rear or pair?

• The hose lengths differ: allow around 800 to 1000 mm at the front and 1400 to 1700 mm at the rear.
• A hose that is too short is unusable; if it is too long, it can be cut down and bled again.
• As a pair, the setup is consistent and the price is often more attractive.

Which brake fluid?

• Mineral oil at Shimano and Magura.
• DOT at SRAM.
• The two must never be mixed: a mistake destroys the seals.
• Make sure you have the bleed kit for the relevant brand.

Which caliper mount?

The vast majority of mountain bikes use the standard Post Mount, with an adapter depending on the intended rotor diameter. Check the maximum diameter allowed by your fork and chainstays before fitting a larger one.

To find out more: How to choose mountain bike disc brakes

See also: Mountain bike brake rotors · MTB brake pads · Disc brake levers