Brakes are one of the most important components of a bike, especially for mountain biking.
They allow you to control your speed, stop safely, and maneuver through challenging terrain.
But not all brakes are created equal. There are many factors to consider when choosing the best brakes for your bike, such as performance, reliability, maintenance, weight, and price.
Two of the most popular brands of brakes in the market are Magura and Shimano.
Both have a long history of producing high-quality brakes for different types of bikes and riding styles. But which one is better for you?
Here, we will compare Magura and Shimano brakes in terms of their features, advantages, and disadvantages.
Magura Brakes
Magura is a German company that has been making brakes since 1893. They are known for their innovative hydraulic brake systems that use mineral oil instead of brake fluid.
Magura brakes are designed to offer powerful braking performance, smooth modulation, and easy installation and adjustment.
Features of Magura Brakes
Mineral oil
Magura brakes use mineral oil as the hydraulic fluid, which is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and non-corrosive.
Mineral oil also has a higher boiling point than brake fluid, which means it is less prone to fading or losing power due to heat buildup.
Carbotecture
Magura brakes use a patented material called Carbotecture for their brake levers and master cylinders.
Carbotecture is a composite of carbon fibers and thermoplastic resin that is extremely light, strong, and resistant to impact and abrasion.
Royal Blood
These brakes use a special type of mineral oil called Royal Blood, which has a distinctive blue color.
Royal Blood is formulated to provide optimal performance and durability for Magura brakes. It also reduces friction and noise in the brake system.
BAT (bite point adjustment)
Magura brakes feature a BAT knob on the brake lever that allows you to adjust the bite point of the brake pads.
The bite point is the point at which the brake pads start to contact the rotor and generate braking force. By adjusting the BAT knob, you can fine-tune the feel and responsiveness of your brakes.
EBT (easy bleed technology)
Magura brakes feature an EBT port on the brake lever that allows you to easily bleed the brake system without removing the wheel or the brake pads.
Bleeding is the process of removing air bubbles from the hydraulic system that can reduce braking power and consistency.
With EBT, you just need to open the port, attach a syringe with fresh mineral oil, and push out the old oil and air bubbles.
Read Also: Magura MT7 vs. MT8: Compared
Advantages of Magura Brakes
Powerful braking performance
Magura brakes offer strong and consistent braking power in all conditions. They have large pistons that generate high pressure in the hydraulic system, resulting in fast and precise braking action.
They also have large rotors that provide more surface area for heat dissipation and better leverage for braking force.
Smooth modulation
They offer smooth and progressive modulation, which means you can control the amount of braking force with ease and accuracy.
They have ergonomic brake levers that provide a comfortable grip and a natural feel.
They also have a linear response curve that matches the input from your fingers to the output from the brake pads.
Easy installation and adjustment
Magura brakes are easy to install and adjust on your bike. They have a simple design that requires minimal tools and maintenance.
They have a one-piece caliper that mounts directly to the fork or frame without adapters. They also have a quick-release mechanism that allows you to remove the wheel without disconnecting the brake hose.
Read Also: Magura MT7 vs. Code RSC: Compared
Disadvantages of Magura brakes
Higher price
They are more expensive than Shimano brakes. They use premium materials and technologies that increase their cost.
They also have less availability and compatibility than Shimano brakes, which means you may have to pay more for spare parts or replacements.
Heavier weight
Magura brakes are heavier than Shimano brakes. They use larger components and thicker rotors that add weight to your bike. They also use mineral oil instead of brake fluid, which has a higher density and weight.
Shimano Brakes
Shimano is a Japanese company that has been making brakes since 1961. They are known for their reliable and versatile brake systems that use brake fluid instead of mineral oil. Shimano brakes are designed to offer consistent braking performance, easy maintenance, and wide compatibility.
Features of Shimano Brakes
Brake fluid:
Shimano brakes use brake fluid as the hydraulic fluid, which is a synthetic liquid that transfers pressure from the brake lever to the brake caliper.
Brake fluid has a lower boiling point than mineral oil, which means it is more prone to fading or losing power due to heat buildup.
However, brake fluid also has a lower viscosity and compressibility than mineral oil, which means it is more responsive and efficient in the brake system.
Servo Wave:
These brakes feature a Servo Wave mechanism on the brake lever that changes the leverage ratio of the brake system.
The Servo Wave mechanism increases the leverage at the beginning of the stroke, which means you need less force to move the brake pads.
Then, it decreases the leverage at the end of the stroke, which means you get more braking power and modulation.
Free Stroke:
They feature a Free Stroke adjustment on the brake lever that allows you to adjust the distance between the lever and the handlebar.
The Free Stroke adjustment affects the amount of lever travel before the brake pads contact the rotor.
By adjusting the Free Stroke, you can customize the feel and responsiveness of your brakes.
One Way Bleeding:
Shimano brakes feature a One Way Bleeding system that allows you to easily bleed the brake system without removing the wheel or the brake pads.
Bleeding is the process of removing air bubbles from the hydraulic system that can reduce braking power and consistency.
With One Way Bleeding, you just need to open a bleed nipple on the caliper, attach a tube with fresh brake fluid, and pump out the old fluid and air bubbles.
Read Also: Magura MT5 vs. Shimano Slx: Compared
Advantages of Shimano Brakes
Consistent braking performance
These brakes offer consistent and reliable braking performance in all conditions.
They have a stable hydraulic system that maintains pressure and fluid level in the brake system.
They also have a self-adjusting mechanism that compensates for brake pad wear and temperature changes.
Easy maintenance
They are easy to maintain and service on your bike. They have a simple design that requires minimal tools and parts.
They have a universal brake hose that fits all Shimano brakes. They also have a wide availability and compatibility of spare parts and replacements.
Wide compatibility
Shimano brakes are compatible with most types of bikes and riding styles.
They have a range of models that cater to different levels of performance, budget, and preference.
They also have a standard mounting system that fits most forks and frames without adapters.
Read Also: Shimano RT66 vs. RT86: Compared
Disadvantages of Shimano Brakes
Less powerful braking performance
These brakes offer less powerful braking performance than Magura brakes.
They have smaller pistons that generate lower pressure in the hydraulic system, resulting in slower and less precise braking action.
They also have smaller rotors that provide less surface area for heat dissipation and less leverage for braking force.
Less smooth modulation
They offer less smooth modulation than Magura brakes. They have stiffer brake levers that provide a less comfortable grip and a less natural feel.
They also have a non-linear response curve that does not match the input from your fingers to the output from the brake pads.
More prone to fading
Shimano brakes are more prone to fading than Magura brakes. Fading is the loss of braking power or consistency due to heat buildup in the brake system. Shimano brakes use brake fluid instead of mineral oil, which has a lower boiling point and can vaporize when exposed to high temperatures.
Read Also: Shimano Deore vs. SRAM SX Eagle: Which One is better for Mountain Biking?
How to Choose Between Magura and Shimano Brakes?
Choosing between Magura and Shimano brakes depends on your personal preference, riding style, and budget.
There is no definitive answer to which one is better, as both have their pros and cons. However, here are some general guidelines to help you decide:
If you want powerful braking performance, smooth modulation, and easy installation and adjustment, go for Magura brakes.
If you want consistent braking performance, easy maintenance, and wide compatibility, go for Shimano brakes.
