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Submitted by
Brett
a Weekend Warrior
from Shanghai, China
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Pyranees - Aix les Thermes | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Powerful braking, reliability | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | XTR disk brakes | | Bike Setup: | Custom Giant NRS frame, XT components | | Bottom Line: | I built my first Giant NRS with Magura HS-22 brakes in 1998. I rode the bike hard for 5 years and it is still used regularly by friends coming to visit. In all that time, never a single braking problem. 100% hassle free. I put full XTR on my new bike and have had to replace the disk pads repeatedly as well as replace the disk itself. The Magura set up is both cheaper and much more reliable. Highly recommended V brake. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james
a Downhiller
from castro valley CA
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | CBO | | Strengths: | looks | | Weaknesses: | weight, ease of installation, engineering | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT,LX Avid single digit Ti | | Bike Setup: | Kona Pahoehoe,GT Zaskar LE | | Bottom Line: | These PARTICULAR pair of brakes do not get kudo from me for a number of reasons. The major reason is installation. I bought the brakes because I have never heard anything but good news about them. I think I got a dud pair because I never got them to work. This set is magura blue. I'll start with the levers. They look pretty cool but they vould definitely be lighter. The hydraulic mechanism of the lever could be attached to a machined billet aluminum mouniting portion, but instead, it is one whole peice of cast metal. the lever arms are hideous! they are huge and heavy and uncomfortable. The brake lines are a pain to set up! they obviously cannot be attached to the normal mounting weldments but the way they are routed is riduculous. The worst part about the brakes is installation. There are cast painted parts that have to be pressed into place and never moved again. You must be perfect first time in this case. No room for error. After that the calipers are squeezed into place. The idea of hydraulic brakes is brilliant. The way this is engineered is not. Much work needed. They still get some praise because mine are an exception because they are disfunctional. Expensive, but not a bad price considering that they are frickin hydraulic brakes. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GRAEME BLAIR
a Downhiller
from ABERDEEN
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ANY STAIRCASE | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | OF A MATE | | Strengths: | POWER, MODULATION, LEVER FEEL, ROLLING STOPPIES.. DID I MENTION POWER. | | Weaknesses: | ARE YOU KIDDING. | | Similar Products Used: | V'S, CANTI'S, AD990, ACS BOA,MECHANICAL DISKS, YOU NAME IT I BROKE IT. | | Bike Setup: | BARRACUDA FRAME, ZOKES ELITE 130MM, MAGURA HS22, TRANZ-X STEM, D.C.D, DIAMONDBACK PLATFORM PEDDLES, DEAD BACK DNM SHOCK, WORK IN PROGRESS... | | Bottom Line: | STUNNING BRAKES. TWO PEOPLE HAVE DISAPEARED OVER MY BARS SINCE I FITTED THEM AND ANOTHER HAD A BALLS TO STEM MOMENT(YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE AARON). POWER IS AMAZING BUT THEY ARE HARD TO SET UP INITIALLY. SOD DISKS GET MAGGIES. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david
a Cross Country Rider
from corvallis, oregon, usa
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle doctors | | Strengths: | They are great modulation, nothing compares to their power, nearly maintainance free | | Weaknesses: | adjustment is tough, and the housings are difficult to replace. They are a little weighty, but if you need to stop that is not an issue. | | Bike Setup: | cannondale caad 3 with mavic usb rims. | | Bottom Line: | Magura rim brakes are the best. They are a little tough to deal with if anything breaks, but I have used them 3 years without anything breaking. Now they make lighter more adjustable models. I would choose Maguras over v-brakes any day. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jameson
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle Washington
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with dirt on it | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | ?? I can't remember, they've been on my bike for 6 years | | Strengths: | Durable
Awesome Modulation
They'll never let you down
Once they're set up you can forget about them
Pad life (at least for the green(frog) and the black pads, tha's all I've used) | | Weaknesses: | In my six years of riding on these (HS-22 raceline D) the only complaint I have is that I cut the front line too short for my new Z1 | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes 8" discs, shimano v's, and good ol' cantis | | Bike Setup: | zaskar, Z1, HS-22 raceline d, lx xt xtr drivetrain, sun rhyno lites f/r, Ringle sun of bubba front hub, king rear hub + headset, kore aheadlite, SDG grand prix, shimano 747's | | Bottom Line: | If you're looking for the best possible rim brakes that you can get anywhere, well, you're done looking. The Magura hs-22 racelines are by far the best braking system on the market as far as rim brakes go. I mean yeah, a 8" hayes setup is going to stop better, but those are intended for FR and DH rigs, not heavyduty crosscountry bikes. The slight weight penalty of these over v's is more than made up for in durability, stopping power, no more worries about wire cables, and the ability to set 'em up and forget about them.
If you're scared about messing with the hydraulics don't worry about it. Magura includes great instructions and offers great customer service to make it a piece of cake to install the brakes.
One warning though, these brakes will flex the S$%t outta your frame and fork (even my Z1) so get the brake boosters. Why wouldn't you want to anyway? The raceline yellow just looks so cool!
Oh, and as a added bonus, you don't have to reset your brakes when you change pads like you do on v's. All you do is give the pads a little tug and out they come. Then snap in the new set and you're good to go.
This is one component on my bike that I can say I've definately set up and just forgotten about them, they're just that good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Shawnee, KS
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | maintenence is easy; it just has a nice feel, control is easy | | Weaknesses: | I stripped the magnesium clamp bolt (maybe I tightened too much?) | | Similar Products Used: | XT Vee | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX 870, Mammoth rim | | Bottom Line: | I only have one on my front wheel, and it is just an easy brake to own even though it looks complicated. It is easy to set up and maintain, and very dependable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brandt wysocki
a Cross Country Rider
from thousand oaks
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | overlook | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | wheel world | | Strengths: | strongest rim brake period, once set up, a well thought up, well engineered brake kicks some ass! | | Weaknesses: | levers too big, go to cambria bike and get altek levers they have a thumb adjuster, for fine tuning. those levers are much more "V" lever like... cannot be used without the magura booster or you will break off the brake boss and your seatstays wont twist other than that..the prouduct kicks ass!!!! | | Bike Setup: | gt xcr 1500 sid ft and rr xt white ind wheelset | | Bottom Line: | dial it in use the boosters front and rear get the altek levers, and you will not need dick breaks $$$$$ dick is rich | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pee-Wee Herman
a Weekend Warrior
from GF, NoDak, USA
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Paul Bunyan SF, MN | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | NOS online marketplace | | Strengths: | Big levers, adjustable reach, sensible QR, modulation, power, price, quality, customer service, zero-maintainance | | Weaknesses: | Weight, big levers (which look too "moto"), magnesium bolts strip too easily, spacers/washers, don't work well with frame braze ons, no weaknesses performance-wise | | Similar Products Used: | XT & XTR Vs | | Bike Setup: | Maggies, Rhyno lite rims, Surly hubs, other "stupid" SS items | | Bottom Line: | I bought these as NOS on MTBR marketplace for a few reasons last year:
a) price
b) pucker power for learning trials stuff
c) I plan on gettting hydro discs sometime soon and wanted to get used to using and maintaining an hydraulic brake first.
So much for the maintainace part! I slapped 'em on and other than adjustments for different wheels, etc., have done zero as far as bleeding, etc. The Evolution adapters make setting up the perfect angle a breeze. There is no such thing as pas squeal, and the stock pads have lasted a long time (although I;m going to try some red ones next). They work well in all temperatures, no noticeable change in modulation in the cold. I can set them up for a ton of rim clearance, and the pads reach the rims with way less lever reach left than you can get away with using cable brakes, which I like. The adjustable lever reach is great for making both levers feel the same.
I think the value, performance, and feel of the brakes more than make up for the weight. I have been using them on my single speed, but when I get my first FS bike, they will go on it until I can afford hydro discs (probably Hayes).
I stripped one of the stock magnesium bolts, and contacted Magura directly - they sent me a whole bagfull of new bolts & washers of all types within days - free of charge!
Speaking of bolts & washers, the only major beef I have with the design is the washer/spacers needed on the brake studs between the Evolution adapters and the frame. On the QR side, this washer can fall off too easily when installing or removing the wheel. I found out the hard way. ON the flipside of this complaint, you can stack these washers to get the silver "knuckles" to clear seatstays or brake arches (as I have to do with my Manitou fork).
Bottom bottom line? Great product - get 'em!
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Lougheed
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria b.c. canada
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Powerfull if you move the lever to the middle of your bars more. Long lasting pads. Stiff and rounded levers. | | Weaknesses: | You are F***ED up if you think so. | | Similar Products Used: | HS-33
| | Bike Setup: | '98 Kona U'hu with a '99 z1 drop off, and alps 5r in the back. Gozzaloddi jr, and panaracer pyro on the back | | Bottom Line: | Great breacks, almost as powerful as disks, and low mantenace. (Don't trust your friends). If you don't mind wieght, the almost anyone should buy these. Bleeding is easy, and can do it easily alone, without a shop. The bleed kits are cheap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Davis,CA. USA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbr | | Strengths: | Strong... No leaks... Amazing power... Comfortable feel, and most of all no one has them. | | Weaknesses: | A little hefty if you are a gram counter but definitely worth it to me | | Similar Products Used: | xt, and some cheapies... lx | | Bike Setup: | 97" Specialized S works (gold edition) xt shifters, white industries cranks xtr drivetrain and xt hubs laced to mustang rims... and sweet Marzocchi Atom Bomb.. 23 pounds easy | | Bottom Line: | These breaks can stop you on a dime.. and they are great for trials. When you squeeze on the lever the power keeps going and going... absolutely no worries when descending and the better your brakes the faster you go without any worries. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Levy
a Cross Country Rider
from Evanston, IL USA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pelos Hills Chicago | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | I've had my maguras now for about a year and they are going great. I just stuck some new levers on them, the ones for HS33s and they work great on mine, they are awesome. I pretty much ride trials around the city so maguras are what i need, they are great for cross country too though. I would buy them in a second. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing at all, except the kind of big levers they come with, but that can be fixed. | | Similar Products Used: | Plain vee-breaks | | Bike Setup: | Dale - m500, titec hellbent riser bar, thomson seat post, LX crankset, LX rear deraileur, stx-rc front, RS Judy XC/Rigid Fork for trials, Maguras, LX hubs sun rims, its a dope ride | | Bottom Line: | THey are great, buy them. They don't fall apart, stop you always, and you can't go wrong, especially if you order them mail order, i got em for like 100 bucks, you can't beat that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Coonass
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Just one? | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durable, ease(lack) of maintainance, they stop with two finger finesse | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, by comparison, but you've got to be able to go slow to go fast. | | Similar Products Used: | Old school cantis. Grafton Onza Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Kona 853 Hot, RST XMO, /race face, syncros, XTR | | Bottom Line: | They came stock on my '96 Kona Explosif, what an awsome deal! I've been with them ever since, haven't ever jumped on the V wagon. Excellent power, modulation, ease of maintainance, RED pads here in the Texas dust are awesome. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Racer
from Rimouski, Quebec
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | 1991 World championships course, Bromont, Quebec | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Increadible breaking
Great modulation
Maintenance free
Easy to change brake pads
Works great even in mud | | Weaknesses: | Heavy
Pricy (at least they were when I bought them!)
Plastic brake lever flexes. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano catilevers
XT V-brakes | | Bike Setup: | XC race bike | | Bottom Line: | I've been using my HS-22 for about 5 years now. They are by far the best I've ever tried (except for disks!). And I haven't had to service them a single time since the purchase!!!!!! The brake pads are soooo easy to change on the fly. I'm a heavy rider (200 lbs), and I need stopping power. Magura delivers! The only thing that brakes better are disks. But I still think they're useless on cross country bikes! The HS-22 is a bit heavy (almost twice v-brakes), but their performance compensates for this flaw. The only thing I didn't like was the plastic brake lever that was too flexy. I replaced it with the metal version and voila! Problem solved! These brakes are the best. And anyone who says that V-brakes work just as well, surely hasn't tried these! If you need braking power, get a pair. You won't regret it! I can't wait to get my new Magura HS-33's that I ordered for my new Mountain bike! Their lighter and probably work even better, if that's possible. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Berserker
a Please Select
from Mattapoisett, Mass. USA
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | "Coyote Crap"&"Booby's Nut Buster" | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Magura name, beefy looks,no cables to freeze up in the cold and snow, MODULATION, etc.,etc.,etc.,......... | | Weaknesses: | ummmm.... hang on, i'm still thinkin'....ummmm.....uhhhhh....nope. | | Similar Products Used: | LX Vee's, Avid 2.0 Vee's, XT Vee's, Coda Canti's,Exage Canti's,STX Canti's, Bendix coaster brake.. | | Bike Setup: | Caloi Alu hardtail, Girvin Vector2 fork w/Noleen NR-1, Sun Big Fat Mammoth hoops. | | Bottom Line: | i bought my HS-22's used for 70$, what a deal. you guys that paid 60$ stole 'em. somehow get a manual, it is needed to get the exact set up and little nuances figured out. They are not V- brakes, so don't expect them to feel like it.They are better.Mud and snow performance is incredible. does anyone understand Modulation? you will after riding these brakes...of course some people that don't know any better or can't set them up properly will bash these brakes and say go with Vee's, but you owe it to yourself to at least TRY someone elses Maggies. 5 chilies ain't enough! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Bay Area
Date Reviewed: December 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
deed | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
they are great. Modulation is great | | Weaknesses: |
Thet are heave and hard to set up | | Similar Products Used: |
hays and XTR V's | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn Rocket 88 Stage 2 | | Bottom Line: | they rocked | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allen ONeal
a Downhiller
from Three Rivers, CA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Kamikazie | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Stopping Power
Durability
Price | | Weaknesses: |
Piston Seals | | Similar Products Used: |
Gustav Disk
Hayes Disk | | Bike Setup: |
Intense M1-SL | | Bottom Line: | very good for the price. lots of power and modulation. in my opinion, far better than any cable brake. no need to adjust all the time, set em up once and go, no worries! seals at the lever do leak over time though, but o-rings are dirt cheap. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mikey
a Racer
from C.A. Bay area
Date Reviewed: October 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Annondale | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
work great in wet and muddy enviorments | | Weaknesses: |
to much frame flex | | Similar Products Used: |
hays disc | | Bike Setup: |
I use a z-3 and a schwinn moab 2 | | Bottom Line: | they rocked | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a Downhiller
from milam
Date Reviewed: September 29, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
this system is very good. it is smooth and powerful. | | Weaknesses: |
must have ture wheels | | Similar Products Used: |
LX V-Brakes | | Bike Setup: |
gt bravodo with judy xl long travel. | | Bottom Line: | good but the tureness of your wheel jeperdizes the raw power | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WAYNE
a Weekend Warrior
from BALTIMORE
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
AVALON | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
STOPPING POWER OF 44 MAGNUM | | Weaknesses: |
WILL BEND OR BREAK FRAME | | Similar Products Used: |
VEE BRAKES | | Bike Setup: |
SCHWINN HOMEGROWN | | Bottom Line: | I WEIGH ALMOST 300LBS SO WHEN I'M BARRELLING DOWN A HORSE TRAIL I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO STOP IVE USED VEE BRAKES AND THEY WRE PRETTY GOOD BUT WITH THE MAGS I CAN LOCK MY REAR WHEEL WHEN THE RIM IS WET AND IM SITTING ON THE SEAT | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pierre Dionne
a Cross-Country Rider
from Laval Quebec (sub of Montreal)
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Calvaire d'Oka | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Braking power is unequalled!
Very transient, smooth if you want,
over handle if you pry!
Durable, no fuss... | | Weaknesses: |
Will pry your stays
Will be hard on rims
That about it! | | Similar Products Used: |
Vbrakes LX, i bent those... | | Bike Setup: |
Devinci Korrigan
XT/LX w/Mag21
Race Face Crank and rings(better than
Shimano) | | Bottom Line: | They are very smooth but will stop you dead in your tracks if you pry all four fingers!
Well done, no leak problems, do dust problems, no substitute IMHO! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Laurence Sachs
a Cross-Country Rider
from Gauteng -- South Africa
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Local Hood | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Name
LOW maintainance
Smooth Stopping
Look | | Weaknesses: |
Nope | | Similar Products Used: |
V's | | Bike Setup: |
Giant ATX800
Mozo Pro
Etc. | | Bottom Line: | This product rocks!!!! The extra weight is no problem when you know they'll stop you.
They brake sharp if u want them to, otherwise it's a smooth stop in all weather. They with squif rimsThey Look GREAT!!!!
Well done Maggie! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler
a Racer
from Salt Lake, UT
Date Reviewed: July 1, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Great Power
Durable
Pads last forever
Easy to maintain | | Weaknesses: |
Flexes stays
Wears out rims
Brake pad residue | | Similar Products Used: |
Hayes Hydraulic (Loved)
Hayes Cable actuated (Hated)
Shimano LX, XT, XTR (Loved)
Avid 1.9 (They work) | | Bike Setup: |
Pro flex Beast GDT
Girvin Elite fork | | Bottom Line: | I love the power these brakes provide. I have had my brakes for 2 years and never replaced the pads. I did wear out a set of rims though. These brakes work great. They have enough power to crush rocks into sand. This results in flexing the brake posts, stays, and fork legs. Stiffners are a must. I also broke the rear U cable when I was hopping a curb and my foot came unclipped. The replacement is surrounded by a steel mesh so I am not worried about it happening again. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan
a Cross-Country Rider
from bay area
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
once set up there's nothing more to do. | | Similar Products Used: |
shimano stx, lx, xt, xtr | | Bike Setup: |
kona hardtail with rs judy | | Bottom Line: | setting up is not as hard as some messages pretend - just follow the instructions or ask thorsten
weight is really not an issue. what exactely is that pound more weight compared to xtrs going to do to you...
they are pricey, but so are xtrs. you save maintenance time, avoid the dreaded squeal, and you can break securely no matter what. that is well worth the extra money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bio
a Downhiller
from Hailey, ID
Date Reviewed: June 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Baldy Mtn. | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
fairly simple | | Weaknesses: |
need braces | | Similar Products Used: |
Hayes Disc | | Bike Setup: |
pro-Flex Beast | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are alright for beginning downhillers, or dual-slalom riders, but in the end, discs are the way to go. Hayes especially. If you do decide on these brakes, buy braces for them! Otherwise, you will snap your brake post right off of your frame at the weld. that can be VERY frustrating. I am giving this product 3 chilies, because it needs to be modified too much in order to get it working good. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Do
a Cross-Country Rider
from St-Laurent,Quebec
Date Reviewed: June 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Excellent modulation
Plenty of raw power
Pretty looking | | Weaknesses: |
Adjustments is a pain in the ass | | Similar Products Used: |
Tektro's V | | Bike Setup: |
Indy 98 Xc(long travel) | | Bottom Line: | They are the bomb when compare to the v-brakes | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee Lau
a Racer
from North Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: June 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Walk In the Clouds | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
- Modulation
- Wet weather performance
- Overall reliability
- Brake pad durability
- Customer service unparalleled | | Weaknesses: |
- None - | | Similar Products Used: |
Magura HS -33
Shimano XT
Shimano XTR | | Bike Setup: |
Norco Rampage 853 hardtail set up for North Shore downhill trials | | Bottom Line: | I posted a review about HS-33's that were NOT 5 star - mainly because I kept braking lever blades. Originally, I was a Magura detractor because in my 2d hand-experience they were prone to breaking lines and they were an unknown quantity. This was not based on first hand experience but on hearsay and on a general reluctance to try new things.Up to Spring 1998 I was a fervent XT V-brake fan - I thought of them as value for money and as low-maintenance. When I got my first set of brakes (a present from some MTBR'ers for organizing a Whistler get-together), I realized that the standards for rim brakes had now been set. In short, I was blown away by the ease of use of Maguras. As a time-deprived racer and Shore rider who requires dependable brake performance, I strongly believe they are the answer.The only detraction was the ease with which the brake levers on HS - 33s broke. Admittedly they were from spectacular crashes being in situations which many other riders might not encounter but I was still disappointed. First incident was a fall from a 10 foot high narrow bridge onto forest floor; second was a cartwheel from a back-wheel move off a 4 foot log - both times the brake levers were set very loose but impact on lever was fairly substantial. I relate these incidences not to impress but to illustrate the rare nature of such catastrophic failure.Thorsten at Magura USA then hooked me up with physically stronger HS-22s which I have used without problems. They are tremendous in snow and wet. Modulation is second to none, durability is excellent, lack of need for regular maintenance is a godsend for those of us who ride year-round in gruelling weather.Support I have received at races; at the MTBR Brake forum and from Magura USA has been overwhelming. I can go to a race knowing with confidence that nothing will go wrong with my bikes brakes.I am one of those sponsored racers - grassroots only - that can pretty much race whatever I want to race.I chose Magura (and took the XTR V's/OEM off my race bike) because (1) they are second to none in rim brake performance (2) the customer service and support is without parallel. I am proud to say I am sponsored by Magura because of their standard-setting customer service.I have used Hayes disk brakes before but have not had significant time on same. Being fairly conservative from a tech perspective - I don't like using new technology unless I am compelled to - ie if it comes OEM on my race bike. Hope this casts some light on why I and so many others are devoted Magura afficianados.Lee Lau (Cyclepath/Magura/Norco) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Racer
from NJ
Date Reviewed: May 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mercer | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
I got mine for 60 bucks
hold well with no flex
easy pad change (easiest in all brakes- no Q's) | | Weaknesses: |
heavy,
b*tch to install
needed replacment levers to finally have them work and feel good
Bolts like to strip | | Similar Products Used: |
XT V's
XTR' V's
STX Cantis
LX V's
Hayes Disc
Tektro V's | | Bike Setup: |
S-Works M2 '98 w/ Manitou SX-Ti | | Bottom Line: | At first I hated these things because the lever required four finger braking, once I purchased the upgrade levers with speeddial adjuster I use only two fingers. I do trials riding and these brakes don't flex like flimsy XTR's, and I can stop on a dime with my Maguras. Weight is a *itch, but hey, it only makes me stronger. They do take time to set up so set aside at least two hours with the tires removed from your wheels for proper installation. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tim bugbee
a Weekend Warrior
from north andover, ma
Date Reviewed: April 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
ever? tie between bunker creek (brian head) and sunset/schultz pass (flagstaff) | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
first off, customer service. you may recall my complaints about this brake system earlier on this site. thorsten (magura usa rep) went out of his way to get my brakes working right. i told him up front that these were older brakes i got 2nd hand from a friend, but it didn't matter. so they came back, i installed them, and have been riding them through the winter and spring.what do i like about them?superb modulation. it's really nice to be able to control your speed when heading down a rock face, but not to worry about locking up a wheel.no-fuss maintenance. get them dialed in once and they are good to go for a while.lever feel. i have rather short fingers and the full-sized lever is nice, and has kept me from looping out on a few occasions, as i am able to grab the rear brake before that happens. | | Weaknesses: |
v brakes are a lot simpler and easier to set up, as compared to the maguras. also, the hardware (esp the gold colored bolts) seem to be susceptible to stripping at the hex head rather easily. | | Similar Products Used: |
xt levers, avid ultimate levers, xtr v brakes, avid arch supreme brakes | | Bike Setup: |
kona hardtail w/ a z1. use the boosters if you don't want to see your fork or stays flex like al dente pasta. | | Bottom Line: | i've come around from my earlier harangue about this product, to the point where i'm waffling about getting another set for my full suspension bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Fredericksburg
Date Reviewed: April 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bottom Line: | I love 'em! These things were a B***H to set up the first time thanks to what has to be the worst manual ever written but once they are on you don't ever have to touch them. Pad change is a dream, unlike cantis; modulation is excellent, unlike v's. Maybe a little heavy but you could take a leak before you ride and it's all the same. Stop screwing around trying to tune your crappy cantis and say goodbye to the stick-jammed-in-the-spokes feel of v's and say hello to smooth, low maintenance stopping and control. Buy the brakes, look at the pictures in the manual, make you brakes look like the picture, take a crap, then wipe your ass with the manual...brakes installed overall weight less than with v's. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RAbid Willy
a Downhiller
from SLC,UT
Date Reviewed: March 24, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Wasatch Crest | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Braking power
Modulation | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
LX v brakes
Avid v brakes | | Bike Setup: |
K2 Beast FS
Moots hard tail | | Bottom Line: | Greeat brake, have tried the rest I'll stay with the best. If your having problems setting these up take them to someone (LBS) that knows how to work on a bike. Can't understand people not liking to stop when and how fast you want. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RGreen
a Weekend Warrior
from Cols, OH
Date Reviewed: March 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
After initial set-up, virtually zero maintenance | | Similar Products Used: |
various cantis - grafton, avid, onza, ird, etc. | | Bike Setup: |
'91 fisher prometheus ti | | Bottom Line: | Have always worked great. As noted by others elsewhere, how much power do you really need? Most any brake is capable of locking up a wheel. Modulation on these is best. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a Cross-Country Rider
from knoxville, tn
Date Reviewed: March 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
haw ridge, oak ridge, tn | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
they look cool and friends envy you | | Weaknesses: |
1. hard to adjust
2. take forever to dial in
3. have sluggish stopping power (my friend has v's and he can stop when he wants to...and doesnt have to plan ahead
4. the hex bolts used to hold the assemblies together is aluminum...not bad for weight, but they strip easlily when you have to take them apart b/c of the sheer force you have to apply to make them break loose | | Similar Products Used: |
shimano cantis-would have stuck with these but when i changed forks i had to go with v's or hydros...should have gone with v's. Tektro V's will be bought when i get some $$ | | Bike Setup: |
Gt rebound, manitou fs-ti palmer fork, lx stuff | | Bottom Line: | ok. not bad if your a racer and have someone else fix yer stuff...there are NOT worth the 100+ price tag. buy v's. even cheap v's are easier to use and adjust...if you are a rec. rider dont waste your money on hydros b/c they are a b***h to work with (email for more detail). BUY V's! DONT WAST MONEY ON HYDROS LIKE I DID! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
OAF
a Cross-Country Rider
from Yorba Linda, CA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Great Speed Control, good feel, best brake for a big guy | | Weaknesses: |
Oversized Levers, weight | | Similar Products Used: |
LX and XT V-brakes | | Bike Setup: |
GT LTS | | Bottom Line: | The magies are a great addition to any bike. They stop well with great modulation and progression. They don't lock you wheel like the V's that I have used. They let you control your speed without locking up and stop you on a dime if necessary. I have used V's but find they don't do the job in controling my DownHill speed well, but with the Maggies this no longer happens. A disk would be as good but who wants any drag while riding. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Oronde Armstrong
a weekend warrior
from Boston MA
Date Reviewed: February 2, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Let me not beat around the bush here. Maguras are the worst brakes ever made. Only thing going for them is modulation. The have less power than v-brakes and canti levers. Do the math, a pair of well set up cantis has a higher mechanical advantage than a pair of HS 22's. And don't think that the 33's are much better, a change of 2mm in cylinder diameter only changes the power by 20% or so, wich is still LESS than a pair of cheap v-brakes. Don't believe me??? ask Magura. Anyone that gave these brakes a rave review dosn't go fater than 5 miles an hour or is just to damn ashamed to admit that there idiots for paying so much money for a pair of brake that dosn't stop any better than a crappy pair of cantilevers. These brakes suck, there a gimick like 9 speeds, and ultra light frames. Want modulation buy a pair of U brakes, they probably brake just as well too. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eddie
a weekend warrior
from Kaiserslautern, Germany
Date Reviewed: January 31, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the HS-22's with my Pro Flex Beast and was quite intimidated by thier reputation. When I got the bike the rear brake line was empty due to a slave cylinder leak (in shipping). I got the Magura hydrolics maintenance kit from my LBS (approx. $40) and read the instructions provided. Granted that the system was installed on the bike already, but replacing the valve washer and refilling the line was a little time consuming though EASY if you are patient. As for performance - SUPER! I have XT V-brakes on my Specialized rig and in comparison these Magura's dominate. I do all weather riding and have only had these Magura's for the winter so far. In the snow/slush/thick mud the Magura's had the stopping power without the squishy feel (- I get the squishy feel on wet or muddy rims with my V's). The HS-22's are rim crushers and, in my opinion, are the brakes to have if you do all season/all weather riding. Note - definitly get boosters - I could obviously see my suspension forks flex if I laid the levers to the handle (which you honestly should never have to do), so I have a booster on the front now. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a cross-country rider
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: January 11, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
The HS22's are on my bike for almost a year now, and they work very good. I use a booster on the rear brake, the front brake is mounted on a suspension fork, and doesn't need an extra booster. Some people mention the fact that they have trouble removing the wheel when a booster is mounted. The booster is attached to the quick release, so it comes of with the brake! It's even easier then removing your wheel with cantilever brakes installed! Also important (for any brake) are the rims. You should get the right pads for the rims on your bike. (Mavic 220 on my bike). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Wiswell
a weekend warrior
from Tacoma, WA
Date Reviewed: December 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I put these on my mountain tandem for off-road use. My riding partner and I are a combined weight of 460 pounds. These brakes rock. They have a great feel, excellent stopping power, and long-lasting pad wear. We have no problems stopping our weight. The only negative to any Magura brake system is the set up. Brake boosters are also a must for all Maguras. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike T.
a cross-country rider
from Woodstock, Ont Canada.
Date Reviewed: December 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had a set of Magura HS-22's now for a few weeks on my winter bike after having HS-33's on my good bike for nine months.
These 22's are on sale at many mailorder locations at the moment and have got to be the braking deal of the century. They are going for about 1/2 the price of 33's but give up very little in performance. Sure they're a little less powerful due to their bigger master cylinder but then that translates into more modulation. Sure they're a little heavier (about 135g) but it's not noticable.So I now have Magura on both my mountain bikes - they work perfectly, are no problem to install and adjust if you follow the manual, need zero maintenance, are squeal and rattle free and they come complete with the best back up person that money can't buy - Magura USA's THORSTEN! He rules!
Only 5 chillies? Pshaww! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rogue MTBer
a racer
from Texas
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Let,s look at the people who don't like Maguras...ALL OF THEM SEEMED TO HAVE A HARD TIME SETTING THEM UP.Noone ever saidI got them set up all right, but they just didn't preform wellGet a good mechanic who can set them up!Iv'e had the 22s and the Tomacs.As for the guy who had such a hard time bleeding them when he switched bikes, you can take the lines loose and reinstall them WITHOUT bleeding them .Only when you press the levers while they are loose do you need to bleed, or you replace a component.After riding my hard tail with Vs for 4 months, it was a joy to go to the buttery feel and power of the Maguras on my FS compared to the drag-and-slide action of the Vs | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a cross-country rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: November 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Anybody who thinks V-Brakes are as good as Maguras just doesn't know what they're talking about! V-brakes are easier to pull, but for over all power Maguras rule!!!!!
Also, if you run the brake booster without a washer on the opposite side of the quick release it performs excellent, and tire removal is a breeze! Seriously, try it! The booster pushes side to side, so it will never slide forward off the bolt. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a weekend warrior
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: October 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The HS-22 came standard on my 96 ProFlex Beast. I was worried about the weight but after a test ride, felt that the brakes were well worth extra weight. I do some downhilling on the weekends and the brakes saved my butt several times in adverse conditions. My friend has XTR V-brakes and like them very much. However, in mud and/or rain, he said that my brakes felt like they deliver more power. He was very impressed with the HS-22. So am I. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tim bugbee
a weekend warrior
from usa
Date Reviewed: October 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
one note about the review i submitted a couple weeks ago. i mistakenly said that the brake cylinders are different for the different models. the master cylinders in the levers are different sizes, but the slave cylinders at the brakes are the same. sorry for any confusion i caused.anyway, one thing i hadn't mentioned in the previous review is that even after the magura tech at the worlds worked on the brakes, they still aren't where i think they should be. i dunno, everyone seems to love them, though - are the tomacs or HS-33s really that much better? i am still forced to give these brakes one chili, though.tim | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a weekend warrior
from NM
Date Reviewed: October 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Get them fast ,this brakes are working so great you never will give them up again.ok to set them up is a pain in the ass and took me arround 2 hour to install and set them up.and right now you can get the set front and rear with the blead kit and both quick release for just 100 bucks with the shipping at irvine bike source.and there stoppingpower is something you will never miss again.they really kick ass | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jody
a weekend warrior
from Vic. BC
Date Reviewed: October 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Blows away everything. Period. IBC Kiss my ass!!! One complaint though --- the washer that pops off everytime you take the quick release off. It is just asking to get lost. I know that a fastener is available as an after market item, --- Extra $10 or so. This should be included when you pay $300 and change for some stopping power. Regardless these rock!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gilbert
a cross-country rider
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have this set of Maguras on my trials bike. They are really nice brakes. They work well, and have amazing power. (I can see my fork legs and seat stays bend outward when I really lay on the pressure.) The really nice thing about maguras is that they are easier to set up and tune than traditional brakes (v's or canti's.) Once the brakes are installed, there is no worry about the fluid. Adjusting the pads is a breeze compared to v-brakes. I have been strongly considering purchasing them for my XC bike. (Of course, Shimano made it difficult for me by integrating my brake levers with my shift pods. Makig me need to buy new shift pods if I want to switch.) The only minor drawback to these brakes is that they are a little heavy, and need different cable mounts. Other than that, I can't see why you wouldn't want them. They truly are amazing. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
anton
a cross-country rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I always heard great things about these brakes so I got a pair a few years ago. I was all exited when I got them and went to start putting them on. Can you say PAIN IN THE ASS ! I knew you could. These things have to be the worst part on your bike to install, if they say its easy, they are wrong. Plan on at least 3 or 4 hours to get them dialed in if you haven't done it before. I finally got them on and went for a ride, what I expected was awesome braking power, well I was really dissapointed. Braking was better than canti's but not killer like I expected. So I lived w/ them for awhile. When my buddy got V's on his bike I was really jealous, his braking was waaaay better than mine. SO I
started building a new bike and when It came time to install my old mags, I started by bleeding them, what a fricken mess ! I finally got that done and started to install the rest and adjust everything. About 2 hours in I was so fed up with this system I went out and bought a set of XT v's, I got back from LBS and set them up in less than 1/2 hour, and the braking was waaay better than I EVER got w/ my maguras. IF YOU ARE TRYING TO DECIDE WHICH TO GET, GO WITH THE V BRAKES, THEY OFFER BRAKING THATS AT LEAST AS GOOD IF NOT BETTER THAN MAGURAS AND THEY ARE WAAAAAAY EASIER TO INSTALL. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KUJO
a downhiller
from Hailey, Idaho
Date Reviewed: September 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have HS11 brakes, and since there is nowhere else to submit a review, I am submitting it here. I love these brakes!! They definately need boosters, though. I have an Odyssey Ti. booster in the back, and it works like a disk brake. The only problem is that if I want to get my rear wheel off, I either have to deflate the tire, or take the whole booster off. Good thing I almost never have to take off my rear wheel!! They definately work better than any V- brake I have tried, and I have tried them all. Definately worth five chilies!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Liette
a weekend warrior
from Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: August 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just purchased my first real mountain bike and it came with Avid single
digit 20 brakes. These brakes are very touch and grabby and it got to the
point where I was afraid to use them, especially the front.My husband install a set of HS-22 Maguras on my bike and it was like night
and day. I can now grab my front brake and stop and not get thrown over
the handlebars. Being a beginner rider this is very important because
sometimes what is easy to an exprienced rider is not easy for me and it
causes a panic situation. The last thing you want in a panic is a brake
that is going to send you flying.Maguras have given me great confidence. I know they will stop me smoothly
without sending me for a ride. I've heard my husband and others talk about
the other benefits like easy maintenance etc. but that really doesn't mean
anything to me. Being able to stop safely does. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
warren
a cross-country rider
from Washington
Date Reviewed: August 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes stop you on a dime and give you 8 cents change.
Brake wear is superb, and once you get them set up properly (which is a pain) you NEVER have to adjust them again. These brakes kick bootie!!!
Remember though, if you have a aluminum frame you'll need to get booster.
I honestly never have noticed the added weight. Ride 'em, you'll love them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big Dave
a cross-country rider
from Waterdown, Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: August 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been using HS-22 Blue Maguras for 2 years now and I totally and completely love these brakes. They stop me in any condition, and i ride them all from scorching heat to -25 C in the winter to 6 inch deep mud in the spring and fall. I may have to worry about some of my other components but I never have to worry about my Maguras, they will always be there for me.People complain that Maguras are a pain to set up but they aren't really. Just follow the instructions and look at the pictures and make your brake look the same. The #1 tip for easy installation is to remove the tires from the rim.Magura brakes, whether it be HS-22's, HS-33's, HS-11's Tomacs, Racelines or whatever are all the same except for the lever. This means that any Magura brake system can be upgraded to the top of the line by just changing the levers and Magura will sell you the levers at a very handsome price. HS-22's are currently available at a super bargin price of $95 at Nashbar and various other mailorder outllets. This will be the best $95 you can ever spend on your bike.You've probably heard others talk about Magura customer service and if you have spent any time in the brake section at this site you have probably seen the name Thorsten. Thorsten is the Magura USA rep and he is truely DA MAN If you have any questions, problems, concerns about you brakes he will look after you 100 %. You will not get service like this anywhere else!5 big fat chilis for Magura!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Black Angus
a weekend warrior
from Anaheim, CA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I started using Magura HS-22's a couple of years ago after I broke my hand (I wanted to reduce lever effort). After setting them up, all I've done is change pads. These brakes are great with the red (Koolstop) pads. They are very easy to modulate, don't grab like V-brakes do and the pads don't overheat and fade on long steep downhills (my cantilevers did every time). I had the clamping threads pull out of one of the lever bodies after catching a chainlink fence with that brake. The best brakes and I don't have to mess with them all the time like those archaic cable brakes I once used! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a
from North Bay, On
Date Reviewed: August 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I tend to be very critical of many MTB products but I must say tha Maguras live upto their reputation. They work extremely well and there seems to be absolutely no maintenance with the exception of regularly changing pads which is an snap. If you can find a good deal on these and there are lots out there now, don't hesitate, they are an awesome product. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
greg
a weekend warrior
from calgree.canada
Date Reviewed: August 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I went from crapp-o-la canti's to hs-22's. the absolute most incredible upgrade ever. easy to adjust-stopping power like nothing i've ever seen-bombproof construction for all weather conditions-=====-a few beefs after getting to know them....getting wheels off is kind of a pain-putting them back on is more of a pain-once the pads get worn you need 3 or 4 fingers to stop on steep descents(but my pads usually last at least a year between changes)-they are a tad on the heavy side but hell I ain't Alison freakin' Sydor-THESE BRAKE ARE NOT THE CREAM OF THE MAGURA CROP SO THEY WON'T KILL YOUR BANK ACCOUNT---BUT THEY ARE WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Norman
a racer
from Vancouver, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
THese brakes are great. Good power, good feel, and no fading on downhills. A couple of minor annoyances though... the instructions.. magura has to relize that not all of us can read german. I had to get my friend to help me put these brakes on and even now.. I not sure I have them on right. Oh well, they work great. Buy the booster or your frame will flex so much. 5 chilis for the brakes, 0 for the instructions. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a weekend warrior
from
Date Reviewed: July 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes are the best upgrade I have done, it takes about 90 min. to set them up, but once you are done they are set. Get a booster and they work even better. I rode this weekend and never thought they could stop that good, on long downhills the rims get very HOT. Get them if you want to stop, definetly 5 chili's | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PHIL
a weekend warrior
from
Date Reviewed: July 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
THESE BRAKES ARE GREAT. GOT THEM FROM NASHBAR FOR 95 BUCKS. THE SET UP IS A LITTLE LONG BUT WELL WORTH IT. IF YOU ARE GOING TO INSTALL THESE BRAKES DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND BUY A BRAKE BOOSTER WITH THEM. THE BOOSTER WILL NOT LET YOUR FRAME FLEX AND YOU WILL HAVE A BETTER FEEL AND MORE MODULATION. WENT RIDING THE PAST WEEKEND THESE BRAKES ARE KILLER. ALSO THE BRAKE PADS I GOT WITH MINE WERE THE GREY (TOO HARD) ORDER THE BLACK PADS. TRY TO GET BETTER BRAKING POWER FOR 95 BUCKS!!!!!!!!! THE QUICK RELEASE IS ALSO NEEDED. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a weekend warrior
from Victoria, BC. CANADA
Date Reviewed: May 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Hot damn! I've had these brakes for about 3 weeks now, and will never go back. Back Where?...Crappy DiaCompe crapola v-brakes. I was always fiddling/adjusting/cursing those things. Now with my Maguras, they're on and STAY on with no worries.
I suggest having a bike shop install them for you - AND HAVE THEM TELL YOU HOW TO ADJUST THEM! If you don't know how to tweak them, you'll get very frustrated.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimbo
a downhiller
from England
Date Reviewed: April 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got these brakes for chrimbo and i have to say that they are the best upgrade i have bought, and i have bought a lot! Yeah, the installation does take some time and fiddling but once sorted these brakes are the dogs danglies! It really does help to buy boosters for them, they make braking faster, stiffer, and also stop your frame from flexing, which could cost you in the long run. Actually, i do trials riding, and ever since i got these brakes my performance has gotten so much better; these brakes enable you to be a more confident rider, and let you pull off some fresh stunts! Go on, buy some, there better than v's! cheers | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
roberto
a weekend warrior
from cleveland, OH
Date Reviewed: April 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
magura HS- 22's came standard on my '96 beast. i was at first impressed with the modulation, which is fantastic, but the amount of finger pressure required to stop my bike on steep descents is unacceptable. also getting my tires off is very difficult considering the fact that the so called 'quick release' must have been designed with a road tire in mind. after a technician told me that the only fix for magura HS- 22's is to buy v brakes, that's what i did. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ride_guy
a
from canada
Date Reviewed: March 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes rock. The only problem that i HAD with them was the levers. Since i purcased them last year i have replaced them with TWP lever and am extremly happy.this 50 mword or more thing is really stupid so. bla bla bal bla bla bla lb alb alb but they still ROCK | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roger Graves
a cross-country rider
from Chatsworth, Ca
Date Reviewed: March 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my 96 Proflex beast and it came stock with mag's. I am very happy with the unreal stopping power and the smoothness in which they work. From the infamous Kamikasi in Mammoth to XC riding you can't beat them for the money.Buy them now. I give them 5 chili's | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daren
a cross-country rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: February 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have recently purchased these brakes OVER XTR v-brakes. Installation, however took ALL night, but that might be me...the instructions aren't the best either. I also had to buy new shifters because my handy one piece system (lever and shifter) messed it up. But now that I have them set up they REALLY stop the bike. They have so much power they bend the FRAME. I have also noticed my Mavic 221 rims which have minor imperfections to be truing themselves! Other than that these brakes are simply the best. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thad
a cross-country rider
from nyack,ny
Date Reviewed: February 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The first pair of mags i've had, I bought used from a friend of mine, who bought them from another guy used. Both these guys rode hard with them. I rode with them on my trials bike for a season, before selling them to another friend who would not but my used Jamis Dakar without Maguras on it. He rode them all last season. He now wants to upgrade to the new choochy mags with the little dial in the lever, so he's selling his to a friend of his. These brakes have been owned by 5 different people, and been on 6 different bikes. The pads have been replaced a buttload of times, but other than that, no maintainence! They never need to be bled. So far noone has burst a hydralic line. They kick ass! Their feel is so smooth, yet powerful. Plus they don't get all swrewed up in the mud. I'm replacing the v-brake on my new bike with maguras even though it means i have to toss my integrated XTR rapidfire. I repeat, these brakes KICK ASS! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a weekend warrior
from Rochester
Date Reviewed: February 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes are really well designed. I have had them for about a year now and have exposed them to Colorado, eastern mud rides, and the famous rochester winters. The only time I was dissapointed was when I totally lost function in the middle of a snow ride. It turned out to be a 5mm thick layer of ice on my rims, rather than the brakes. They handeled all conditions the same...excelently. If you are looking for raw power, get disk brakes. These brakes can be tuned to rim bending strength, but that is not what makes them amazing. Their consistancy is what is so unique. They never fade or unexpectedly grab. V's tend to have an obvious on/off effect to them, where the Hydraulics are always consistant. When properly set up (THIS IS ESENTIAL!!!) they are powerful and can stop you fast and in control. The setup isn't that bad, but quick release can be a pain. Also, those of you with steel, titanium, and thin carbon frames, boosters are a necesity. When setup for power, these brakes cause the frame to get minor felx, but it freeks me out, so I don't tolerate it. The boosters also add power, for you DH riders. These brakes do add weight and need special cable routing. The performance backs these minor problems though. E-mail me if you have questions, especially the V vs. Magura argument, I went through the same thing and it helps to hear from users of both. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: February 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The braking power is second to none...however, I purchased a set of the Magura Blues thinking I would save a few bucks over the DH model. The problem-they only come with only one quick release. It pretty difficult to know which tire will go flat. (Hopefully the one with the quick release.) I called Magura direct-they did send a second quick release...reluctantly. Buyer beware-spend a few more bucks and buy the Raceline DH or Tomac models. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vincent
a cross-country rider
from
Date Reviewed: January 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I love these brakes! The stopping power is the best, and they look so cool!
Also, i love the sound they make, when the pads hit the rim. If it's v-brake vs. hydrolic, it's just an obvious choice! They are way tougher than vbrakes, and are all wether. the only thing bad is the brake pad price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
roz
a weekend warrior
from tenesee
Date Reviewed: January 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These rock rock rock rock rock rock rock rock rock! I don't know what to say except that my friend has them and I have LXVS and they suck horrible monkey dung. The pads allwayse wore down within a couple of rides! I still need more words to make the 50 count! Buy them! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a cross-country rider
from Buffalo N.Y.
Date Reviewed: January 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes are awesome! They have a ton of stopping power. The price I thought was great. I picked them up at nashbar a year ago on sale for 170.00$ or so. Also they are verry easy to tune and adjust. They never squeek and the brake pads don't ware down easily. I have only had one thing that frustrates me though. My stock rims that came on my TREK are sort of thin and it is hard to get the pads close to the rim no matter how much I pump the screw in. This isn't a complaint on Magura's side. The main reason to buy them is the stopping power! Whats more important? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matthew carter
a
from USA
Date Reviewed: January 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Maguras RULE!
compaired to v-bullshit, they kick ass in everyway! the most important things about a braking system is 1) the feel at the levers 2) stopping and gipping power 3) toughness
ANY magura hydrolic system beats ANY vbrake system in the catagories above.
The feeling at the levers beats cable, because the rear brake(for cable actuated brakes) has a grainy feel - the rear cable has longer to travel and has more friction then the front one. However, the hydrolic system dosen't feel that way, as fluid dosn't have friction. hydrolics have roughly as much power as vbrakes, but the clamping power is stronger, even if the pad is smaller thatn the vbrake. When the pad is smaller, you can leave the wheel more untrue than with long vbrake pads. Lastly, just looking at the hydrolic system, you can see that it is so much tougher. ANYWAY, i would rather take a well setup canti than a vbrake. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a cross-country rider
from North Bay
Date Reviewed: December 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes are much better then V-brakes!!!!!!!! They are a little heavier, but how many of us are racing for the World Cup. Recently did many 40 minute plus, descents in B.C. and have no complaints, hell I had brakes when my old V-Brakes would have been useless. Pads do wear rapidly in wet/muddy conditions but so do all other pads. The best upgrade you can buy, both for simplicity (after they're on) and safety (I think they really could crush a rim). 5 Stars! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shaun Wetzstein
a weekend warrior
from Rochester MN
Date Reviewed: December 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I used a est to canti before I got a set of HS-22 on a new bike. The stopping
power is unbelivable and I really like the fact that the pads rest far enough away from the rim so they wont rub when your wheels go out of true. The days
of pulling the lever all the way to the handlebar all the way down the hill
is gone. Buy these brakes you wont belive the difference. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hardy
a weekend warrior
from Germany
Date Reviewed: October 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Used to ride the LX-cantis on my 1991 Beast of the East: No Power at all !!!
Upgraded to Magura HS22 Race Line: top quality, never failed, maximum Power, never had problems, | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Bianchetti
a cross-country rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: May 20, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought these brakes (HS-22) a while back when V-Brakes were very hard to come by. They do have a good degree of stopping power (although the XT and Avid V-Brakes that I own and ride are much more powerful) but they are heavy, the pads are a pain to align which makes it virtually impossible to achieve total rim contact, they require 20x more force to pull the lever and require a four finger death grip to stop quickly, they fade (i.e. the pads retract from the rim after a few seconds of braking eventhough you didn't release the brake lever) it takes noticabely longer for the rear brake lever to rebound after braking, the brake boosters hardly work and the quick release is a pain to use (no tire will fit through also). These problems caused me to switch over to V-Brakes and I haven't regretted a thing. I no longer have to waste time adjusting the pads and my bike is much lighter (magura's seem even heavier then they actually are.) If you are considering Magura's vs. V-Brakes GET THE V-BRAKES YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stefan
a cross-country rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: April 29, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Type : HS22 Raceline
Time in use : 2 years
Defects : none
Brake Power : biting with ceramics and red pads
Negs : eat pads like popcorn in muddy conditions | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D.Paine
a cross-country rider
from Kaiserslautern, Germany
Date Reviewed: March 5, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
(Classic Level Magura) By far the best up-grade I've made to my Pro-flex 755, and I've made plenty !! Smooth pull, firm grip (even when wet), easy maintance, and no squell. Magura will be part of every mountain bike I ever own !! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerd Wittmacher
a weekend warrior
from Cologne, Germany
Date Reviewed: January 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've got Maguras fitted to my GT Zaskar and to my recumbent. The brakes perform
superb on both. Modulation and brake performance is just excelent and there is
no maintenance to be done. Pad wear is also ok (I am using the original black
pads with Mavic SUB rims). I've never experianced any oil leaks.
Compared to V-brakes, which some of my mates run, it is very silent and smooth
in operation. Since I don't want spend my time trying to stop the brakes from
squeaking, for me the HS22 is well worth the money. For me this is the best
system on the market. Just fit it and forget about maintanance. Changing brake
pads is a piece of cake.
If you've got older HS22 try to get hold of the T-blades. I've upgraded my
HS22 Blue with them, and they feel and look even better.
See you out there in the dirt! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a weekend warrior
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: November 30, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the Magura Classic levers and boosters about 6 months ago and I think they are really cool:
They are easy to set up.
They have awesome brake power.
They did take a while to get used to, but once I figured out how everything works, maintenace (very little) is very easy. They are super easy to set up. Although I did break a few of those aluminum bolts trying to tighten the cylinders, I managed to get a few through my friends at Norco. Now they are almost worn and I will have to replace the pads.
I would definitely recommend these to anyone. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott grogan
a cross-country rider
from springfield M.A.
Date Reviewed: November 9, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
About 9 months ago I received from a friend, the Magura Blue's. I threw them on to my cannondale sv2000 with ease. Since I have ben riding dirtbikes for many years, I love the feel of hydraulics. So the transfer on to my mt bike was instant. A great feature of the Magura's is that you never have to bleed them, unlike motorcycle brakes. Even though the Blue's aren't the top of the line model, they still work extremely well and are incredibly easy to maintain. I plan on getting an set of the racelines, just for that added trick look and performance. THey better be just as good and then some. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Schaar
a cross-country rider
from Rapid City, SD, USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had my original HS22's for about 5 months now. The brakes stop really great. The only problems I've had are with keeping the brakes aligned. The booster helps, but sometimes it makes them hi rub against the rim. It can slow you down, which doesn't help much on a flan uphill climb.
The only other problem I've had is that my Kooka levers whad to be completely overhauled, but that's not the brakes' fault.
A little heavy, but they're worth the extra weight. They stop you ASAP. | | Overall Rating: |
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