|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Blackmore
a Weekend Warrior
from NY, NY
Date Reviewed: October 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Fahnestock, NJ | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Zero maintenance, always dependable. | | Weaknesses: |
Fiddly setup, very tight clearance w. wheels, especially if you have slight misalignment of wheels. Also, you have to take one side of brake off to get wheels off (no biggie w. quick release, but you can easily loose the little washer that comes w. brakes). | | Similar Products Used: |
Vs, XTs, LXs | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale 500, zero shock | | Bottom Line: | Actually got these when I was doing a lot of city riding in Copenhagen, later Boston and NY, and wanted to be able to stop before I turned into a hood ornament in wet weather. Also had had a lot of trouble with wear of brake pads, constant re-adjustment etc. of ordinary side-pulls. My C500 is now going into retirement - everything on it is shot to hell after four tough all-year seasons. The only thing that I will be transferring are the Mag's - with the original pads. Except for the paintwork I think these things are indestructable. And always dependable in any terrain any day. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan
a Downhiller
from Portsmouth, UK
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Goodwood Hill | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Frigging powerful kick ass for trials and sending my freinds over the handlebars when they are used to V Brakes! | | Weaknesses: |
Brake Boosters are good but are easily bent! | | Similar Products Used: |
Top quality V-brakes | | Bike Setup: |
Black Chute, Z3's, Tomacs, D521's Trials setup! | | Bottom Line: | Brilliant Brakes! Buy them if you have the money!
Beats the hell out of V-Brakes | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Knox
a Weekend Warrior
from Banbury
Date Reviewed: May 23, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Very Powerful, loads of modulation, great in the wet, look really nice, 1 finger stopping power | | Weaknesses: |
Tricky to set up at first, not much clearance with tyre | | Similar Products Used: |
M600 V Brakes | | Bike Setup: |
GT Panterra | | Bottom Line: | Awesome brakes, gives me loads of confidence scrubbing speed off with one one finger when negotiating fast trails, great for wheelies and rolling endos, all round wonder brakes, i suggest you go get em!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross-Country Rider
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mt. Ste. Anne/X-Games | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
POWER!! Sexy looks!! Not to expensive!! Great Customer service.. | | Weaknesses: |
Weight is shit.. i went from a set of Dia-Compe U-brakes to these babys!Unless you got your sponsor buying everything for you, don't complain! it is nothing! | | Similar Products Used: |
Avids 2.0 / XTR / LX Vees ... Diacompe U brakes | | Bike Setup: |
BMX - Gt Trials w/MaguraVoodoo Bantu, Z2 Atom Bomb, Maguras, Crossmax, Plasma rear der. | | Bottom Line: | I ride BMX a lot ... and these are AMAZING! i can stay on top of a pipe and not worry about these giving out... front fakey - NO probs .. wheel grabs are easy ... everything is made SO much easier with these babys! They get a fat 5 flaming Turd action!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony Montana
a Cross-Country Rider
from Notts UK
Date Reviewed: April 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Woods DH | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
incredible feel
impossible to lock wheels
piss on the V's | | Weaknesses: |
Fiddly setup
frame flex
boosters don't fit with
wide tyres tioga 2.3's | | Similar Products Used: |
LX V's
XTR V's
Cable Disc systems | | Bike Setup: |
Proflex 857 CF swingarm
Z1 BAMS
XT gears | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are great, modulation is superb
feel is plush, totally sealed system
low maintainence, they look great
Tioga DH 2.3's don't fit with the boosters | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeffery Gabbard
a Cross-Country Rider
from Grayslake Il
Date Reviewed: March 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Daley Ranch, San Diego CA | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Strong...Simple....Durable...Sexy..! Once set up, you forget about em! Super easy on the fly adjustments! | | Weaknesses: |
they'll make even the even the strongest frame flex! You should have them set up properly by a qualified Magura machanic. They can have, and make problems if you don't. | | Similar Products Used: |
XT's....Lx's....Avid's... | | Bike Setup: |
Set up on a Litespeed Obed, and another set on a Custom elite3 tubeset. | | Bottom Line: | Bar none, the best brakes money can buy! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross-Country Rider
from State College PA
Date Reviewed: March 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
tussey mt. | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
great modulation
easy maintenance
simple adjustments
no toe-in
dependable | | Weaknesses: |
slightly heavier than v's
hydraulic lag in levers | | Similar Products Used: |
Avid tri-align 2's
LX v's (non-parallel-push) | | Bike Setup: |
cr-mo hardtail, 1998 SX-R fork | | Bottom Line: | These are awesome brakes for all but weight-weenies, and even some of them run magies for the braking. I use the red pads in everything, and have never been happier. The lag I mentioned is only noticeable in the parking lot test, once you're riding it disappears. Nothing but smooth, controlled braking, and an oil change once in a blue moon. Even the pas last forever. I do wish the paint was as permanent, but next winter i might polish and clear-coat them anyway- I have the neon Johnny T's, and they do burn the retinas in the sun. Get a set on sale, and never go back. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Barban
a racer
from New London
Date Reviewed: February 11, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the jt maguras for christmas and put them on. They were pretty tricky, and they arent as wasy to work with as vees, but it is made up in thefeel and power.
They are powerful, and they feel great. Pads are easy to change, which is good, but you dont need to do that often in a race. If you flat, it is hard to change tubes quickly. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chuck-O
a racer
from Cleveland, Ohio
Date Reviewed: January 18, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I got these brakes about a year ago for my stock trials bike and they've been incredible. Tons of modulation and more power than I seem to be able to use up. They're a little tricky to set up, but after a while you kinda learn the little tricks. The one problem I've noticed is that one of the pads doesn't always return, usually on the side opposite the tube running from the lever. It's not a big deal, but it gets a little annoying sometimes. Aside from that they've been the best brakes I've ever used, blowing away the XT V-brakes that I have on my xc bike. I strongly recommend them, and so does the guy whose name can be found on the lever. Hey, Tomac's the man, right? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crayfish
a weekend warrior
from Cleveland
Date Reviewed: January 8, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
What could I say but Excellent!! Better modulation and power that XTR V Brakes. I have the racelines. 5 flaming doggy doos. Blah Blah 30 words Blah Blah 30 words Blah Blah 30 words Blah Blah 30 words Blah Blah 30 words Blah Blah 30 words Blah Blah 30 words Blah Blah 30 words. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Albert
a cross-country rider
from Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Hi there everyone,
I would like to say that I am extremely pleased with the performance from the Tomac Magura's. I had a Titanium hardtail with some Avid Tri Align II's and Ultimate levers. I couldn't stand going downhill with them. Even pad changes didn't help even though I had ceramic coated Mavics. Well, finally I broke down and bought the Tomacs and while they don't stop like my Formula Disc on my other bike I was extremely pleased with the modulation, which is more controllable than the Formula. I installed them myself and I was pleased that I never had to make any adjustments afterwards, they always worked great. When my bike got ripped off I got a Raven which came with XT v's, which I thought would be alright...Aside from the squealing and the lack of power I would say that the v's are alright, but I am going to make the switch to Tomacs once again this winter. Unfortunately I will have to get new shifters since the V's came with shifter brake lever combo. The only thing I didn't like about the Magura's is the routing, but the Raven uses full housings so the Magura cables will slip right in there!Magura's are the best brakes in my opinion, better than v's, and better modulation than my Formula disc. I think that once you get used to the Formula though, it is a very hard decision to choose the better of the two. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rogue MTBer
a
from Texas
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Look at all the 5 chilies! The buttery smooth action of the Maguras are so much better than the drag-and-slide action of the weaker Vs.If they can find a way to lighten them,Vs will be obsolete! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G
a cross-country rider
from Port Townsend, WA.
Date Reviewed: November 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I receintly installed the Jhonny T. (98 model) Maugra's. One word, AMAZING!
Riding as much as I do in the slop of the Pacific Northwest, braking can be quite the extensive project. As long I have my Magura's I can RIDE FASTER! and wont worry about not stoping.
Many people have complained about the lack of power that Maugra's have, they just don't know how to set them up properly. For Magura's power is substantially
greater the V's (LX, XT, XTR, Avid's, whatever) and are comparable or on par with most disc brakes, not all of them obiously, otherwise disc's wouldn't exist. All & all, these things rock, finger squeeze to braking power is absolutly accurate. (modulation) This gives for a very controlable brake.5 flaming dead horses all the way!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Francisco Antillon
a cross-country rider
from Cuernavaca.mor
Date Reviewed: October 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Exxxxxxxxxxcelentes frenos..
Ultimamente los he estado usando para decenso mientras compro una biciespecial para eso; mientras tanto han funcionado de maravilla; no le piden nada ha los frenos de disco (fuera de que dobles el rin, sobre todo si es una de esas mugres Spinergy que se rompen solas).Antes habia usado Vbrakes y la diferencia es bastante notable; ademas de no dar ningun problema.El mantenimiento es muy sencillo, solamente les recomiendo comprar lineas extra por si las llegan a romper en un choque (yo todavia no he roto ninguna pero al parecer son escasas) tambien comprar un juego de ruteadores para linea, ya que son distintos a los de los cables al descubierto normalesDe ahi en mas son lo mejor que hay, una vez que los compren no los van a querer dejar. Y mejor se usan un brake boster para que no flexionen el cuadro por la fuerza que tienen, de esta manera el manejo es mucho mas sensitivo. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a weekend warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: September 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I currently owned a pair of maguras Tomac. The first things I like about
it is the striking colour, the next thing is that it is hydraulic brakes
I used for about six months and found it to be the best brakes I have
ever owned! The braking is much more smoother than the v'brakes. The
v'brakes are much more abrupt to use and maybe too sensitive for my
likings. All the way maguras!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
celly
a cross-country rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the HS-33 Quicksilvers after much prodding (can you say peer pressure?) from many regulars on this site. I had been using V-brakes (both Avid and XTR) for over a year and they seemed to serve me fine. Then I started using them in muddy conditions. Can you say...SQUEAL? What made me finally switch to Maguras was after doing a LONG descent in very wet conditions with my XTRS. They worked OK, squealed like hell, but my hands were tired as hell afterwards. Big Dave sorta said I toldya so once again.I ordered a set of the Quicksilvers and Big Dave himself installed them for me. I ahd real bad luck on the first two rides with them. First one I crashed and the red adjusted knob fell off. Then next ride I crashed again and smashed the entire lever assembly on the left side.Enter master PR man from Magura, the famous Thorsten. He had provided Big Dave with some replacement parts for an earlier group ride and in no time, I was up and running with an old HS-22 lever. The Thorsten sends me a brand new lever assembly at his expense. Can you say...CUSTOMER SERVICE?OK, how are the brakes?First of all. don't let anyone tell you they're too heavy. I honestly didn't notice the weight penalty. I'm more for performance than weight savings.And these babies perform. You'll hear the word modulation thrown over and over again when discussing Maguras and they have it. Modulation is all about control, and I have way more control now when I brake. You get even, consistent braking all through the lever. You feel like you're about to skid and let off just a bit. I never had that much control with v's.And people say they're expensive. I got my set for $180 from Kalo, and I heard they're even cheaper now. Front and rear, with levers for $180 isn't bad. Especially when you'll have the best rim brakes on the planet installed.Get a set. You won't be disappointed. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a downhiller
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: September 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Excellent brakes with great power. Terrific modulation and I can always stop on a hill sooner than my friend who has XTR V's. It is a little tough to un-mount the wheels sometimes, but that is liveable. The weight difference from XTR V's is almost neglegable. The pads wear really well. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Robertson
a weekend warrior
from Taipei, Taiwan
Date Reviewed: September 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes are awesome - excellent stoppage, minimal maintenance, and easy adjustment. Stretching and breaking cables are not an issue - no more pull with the pliers while you tighten the screw dexterity required. I really appreciated them when I was downhilling in the rain this weekend and never had a moment where I didn't feel confident I could stop. The only time I slipped was on wet rock faces! One drawback is that they do take longer to remove and replace when removing the wheels and sometimes partial disassembly is required for proper cleaning. I agree with the other guy that I would lose a kilo myself before worrying about the weight issue. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lawrence
a downhiller
from singapore
Date Reviewed: September 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I would suppose it's a good one but due to my usage as doing trials,the rear tube
(the shorter one that connects to the other brake broke,it was a hell to get it going again, iwas depressed because it was a 10th anniversary magura brake.DAMN IT.!@@##!!@
BUT STILL IT,ONE OF THE BEST BEASTY BRAKE SYSTEM.. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a racer
from Connecticut
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my set of Maguras to use on my trials bike. They were such an improvement over V-brakes because you could adjust the amount of pull on the lever without compromising the power of the brake. They allowed me to keep my braking finger closer to the bar which gave me more control in a trials section. These brakes are the absolute best for trials. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a weekend warrior
from Alaska
Date Reviewed: September 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I recently switched from V style brakes to Maguras, best move ever. I was not happy with the V brakes since they tended to launch me over the handle bars with the slightest touch of the lever. Also, they tended to eat up the pads quickly (100 miles) and they gave a very poor rendition of a moose call when wet.The Maguras are heavier yes, but seeing as I'm 10 lbs over weight anyway, carry two water bottles, tools, bug dope, coat, light, ect..... who cares. They were easy to set up, although I cheated and read the directions first. Actually, I read the directions several times going through the setup routine by simply handleing the brakes off the bike. this helped and I was able to install them in an evening.I would heartily recommend these brakes. Especially since one can obtain a year or two old set at considerable discounts through the mail orders ($100-129).John | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tmcclure
a downhiller
from vivtoria melbourne
Date Reviewed: September 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I hace front and back hope on my intense m1sl and they are the best thing since sex. Ihave won racers because of these brakes I can brake later and that has enabled me to go quicker thanks to hope for these brakes and hope if you are looking for a person to sponser and to win racers give me a E-mail tmcclure@stpatsblrt.vic.edu.au. thanks see ya | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bart A. Lane
a weekend warrior
from Edmonds, WA
Date Reviewed: September 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I was really sad a few weeks ago. I was getting tired of my V-Brakes, their over all feel and performance. I would get a little worried on some hairrier hills. I went into a bike shop here in town and said that I wanted to do what ever it takes to upgrade with hydraulic disk brakes. My dealer said that I brought my bike in every other week with broken parts and that I would be warping rotors left and right with all my crashes. At $50 a pop to replace this would get quite expensive. He said that I should really try a set of these Magura brakes and that they were very, very powerful. I thought to myself, oh yeah, second best again like everything else I buy. Almost disk brakes. I was not prepared for what I got. My first ride out with the Maguras was definitely an eye opening experience. They slowed my bike with confidence, power, and poise. The feel is great, the control is awesome, and the stopping power is nothing short of incredible. Mix these with a good set of tires and there is little to be afraid of. I don't know if disk brakes are better but I am sure enjoying the hell out of these. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Shinbin
a racer
from Ancaster, Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: August 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I currently own the HS-33 Tomacs, I've had them for approx 5 months now. Prior to that I had HS-22 Racelines for 3 years. Needless to say I am very familiar with Magura brakes.I'm not going to compare Maguras to V-brakes because there is nothing to compare. Maguras are in a league all there own. They don't have any of the down falls that cable actuated brakes have. The only complaint anyone can possibly make about Maguras is the approx 100 grams more that they weigh over the lightest V-brake system. 100 grams is nothing and should not even be taken into consideratoin when buying brakes.Maguras as you probably have heard have modulation like nothing else. They are every bit as powerful as any V-brake except you just have to squeeze the lever a bit hard to get the power. Going to a 14mm cyclinder system like the HS-33 vs. the 16 mm system in the Racelines gives more power with a little less effort.I ride my bike in every weather condition you can imagine and Maguras have worked flawlessly through them all. I've gone on many a winter ride where my cable actuated brakes froze up and I was left brakeless. This has never happened with Maguras.Magura customer service is unlike anything else in this world. The Magura USA rep. Thorsten is always on hand to assist you with technical information and warranty service. I don't think you will receive service like this anywhere else in the entire business world (not just bikes).You've all heard about how easy Magura pads are to change and how once they are set up that is it, no more messing around with them. They can take a bit to set up for the first timer but good things take time and these are definately a good thing.Go buy yourself a set of Maguras, whether you buy the latest and greatest HS-33's or a set of HS-22's on sale for next to nothing you will be set for life.5 chilis? There should be a special rating just for Magura, 5 is not enough. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Akba
a weekend warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: August 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
They're difinitely the best I've ever tried so far...better than xtr v's. Very responsive and non of the sounds after a wet day! The setting up is a bit tedious though...had a hard time when I changed my fork. Dare not change tires yet! Otherwise...It'll be a long time before anyone or anything can convince me to switch to discs. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jordan Wong
a cross-country rider
from Burnaby, B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: August 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
They are the best! Maguras are a pain to set up, but when done, they're trouble free, except for bleeding. They are very powerful. One downside, weight, but the good sides of them make up for it. They're good in wet weather and mud. More modulation and power than v's. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a cross-country rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes are the the best brakes I've ever had.
I have owned v's,cantis,and currently own quiqsilvers.
I must say these can haul my 250 pound karkas from 35
to 0 in 10 feet.I got mine from speedgoat for $180
with free shipping.The instructions suck,but they
are very easy to install and cut the lines once
you figure it out.I highly recomend them,and the
people at speed goat will help any time.5 chillies. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bike shop mech
a cross-country rider
from canada
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I do allot of technical steep decents with allot of trials. the magura brake
is the pefect amout of power and modulation out there. very reliable, powerfull
and very maintenace free. even though i like a light xc hardtail i would never
sacrifice the weight of v's for the performance of my 98 tomac edition's | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Henrik moliis
a cross-country rider
from Helsinki Finland
Date Reviewed: June 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Oh my god!!!!!! These are the best brakes I have ever tried, I know for a fact that you can make the v-brakes more powerful, but theres not ever the same feeling that what you have with the magura!! And a little tip.. The wet weather brake pads are the best!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Viking
a racer
from Mesquite Texas
Date Reviewed: June 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
For those of you who like V brakes better, let me talk in your language:
SQUEEEEEEL!(mating call of the wild geese) No need to do a messy bleed.
simply lay bike down, drip oil in lever bleed valve and close bleed valve. called
burping the brake ya da ya da ya da ya da | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a weekend warrior
from Long Island, NY
Date Reviewed: April 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Awesome, total braking power nothing but the best. I switched from xt V's and these Maguras are totally awesome compared to V's. V's have sqeal, don't work when rim is wet or muddy, but the MAGURAS work in all types of conditions. A little heavy but worth it.
If they were lighter i would give them a five, but a 4 will do!!!!!!!!!!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Leader
a racer
from
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Terrible, no where near as much power as my XTR V's. Having 2 bikes one with Magura DH's and the other with XTR V's, I can pretty much kill my self with the Magura'z. Not rated at all, save your self a £150 and buy some LX V's. To DIE 4.
| Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Bray
a cross-country rider
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: March 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
There is as big of a performance difference between these brakes and V-brakes as V-brakes are to the traditional cantelever items.
They are powerful,
They are absolutely not affected by weather.
They are 100% maintenance free.
They are quite (no squeals and no RATTLES)
They are adjustable.
They compensate for tweaked rims.
Pads are durable.
Pad replacement is idiot proof.The only viable reason for using another brake is that clearance can be tight. Regardless they a worthy item.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Engelhorn
a weekend warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: February 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is actually for the Magura HS-33 Quick Silver, but for 1998 the Tomac, Raceline and Quick Silver are all identical except in color. The Quick Silvers are awesome. The modulation and power are all excellent and don't believe the garbage about them being difficult to set up. If you have any bike mechanical skills, putting them on is a breeze. The only thing I would add would be select the correct brake pad. The brakes came with the Kool Stop pad which worked fine in dry conditions, but when it got wet (I live in Seattle for God's sake) the red pads didn't cut it. As soon as I put the green pads on, combined with my ceramic rims, the wet conditions no longer mattered. I've used XTR and Avid Arch Supremes, but overall I like the Magura set up the best. Excellent product. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve L
a cross-country rider
from N.Y.STATE,USA
Date Reviewed: February 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
THERE HEAVY BUT THE WORK EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME. I BOUGHT THE CARDON BOOSTERS, THE HELP EVEN MORE. I GO BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN MY V-BRAKES, WITH ALTEC LEVERS. 1/2 LB LIGHTER. THE V-BRAKES ARE GRAB BETTER BUT DON,T HAVE THE FEEL OF THE MAGORAS.IF ONLY THE WERE LIGHTER A WEIGHT WEENIE LIKE MYS | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Arlofski
a weekend warrior
from Plantsville, Ct. (USA)
Date Reviewed: February 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought the Magura Tomacs last year B4 1st ride in April('97). These things are absolutely phenomenal on all fronts.First, (and not most important in my opinion) they have not squealed even once. Wet, dry, muddy, whatever, these things have been silent.Second, I have not adjusted them since they were intially installed. No playing, or monkeying around. Adjust lever-pull with finger knob on lever to desired setting.Third, we have ridden several hundred miles since April'97, and I am still going strong (only now at night and in the snow and ice) on THE SAME PADS. No kidding. These things have been through dirt, dust, mud, snow and ice. Forth, the feel has not changed. Excellent modulation, liquid-smooth lever pulls every time. No grit or grime to interfere with cables. Anyone that says anything about these brakes having an on-off feel does not know what they are talking about. I am talking smooth, always.Weight? For all those weight-weenies: How much do you think all that mud, ice, snow and water on your bike weighs? Not to mention your battery pack for your night-light and the backpack filled with supplies for spending some quality time by the campfire? OOPS, I forgot that they don't buy a bike to RIDE it, only to show others how pretty and expensive their bike is. OK, 'nuff rambling. If you can afford the price tag, BUY THESE. 10 Chilies!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonas Valtersson
a cross-country rider
from Elmhult
Date Reviewed: January 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Just the best is best enough......
/Supercaliber....Cool colour
/Joshua....
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack Downs
a cross-country rider
from Grantsville,WV
Date Reviewed: January 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
As a person who is gravationally challenged (270#)I have tried every type of brake system going (Except Disc). Every system I tried tended to fade when I needed them the most, on serious downhills. It got to the point I gave up because my 52 year old nerves could not take the uncertainty of no brakes! Since I installed the JT's, I now have the confidence to go out and rip it up again with the young stallions and those who think 200# is a Clydesdale! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wabbit
a racer
from usa
Date Reviewed: November 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Just got my Magura (j.t.red model) last week, totally awesome! it will stop you on a dime,
never ridden on anything like it :-]
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noah Bodman
a downhiller
from NY
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've got magura Johnny T's. they're a pain in the ass to set up, but once you get it, they're the best brakes ever. they're as powerful as V-brakes but with way more modulation so they're no on-offy. If you're gonna whine about the weight then you probably should be thinking about getting some twinky little CNC machined out peices of crap that don't work. Put some real beef on your bike and get maguras! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Flying Rudnicki
a racer
from Denmark
Date Reviewed: November 7, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been racing with Magura's for two seasons now(Raceline's last year, and Johny T's this year)
I love these brakes, they're very functionnal. The brake great and they keep on working great. They don't change they're feel, no madder what the weather is like, or how long you been riding. No cables to put more resistance in the brakes. Pad changes is a breeze, just click click done. No adjustment once you got them setup, only padwear, but that is done on the finger screw, on the handlebar. They only have one thing, they're not the lightest brakes, but their performance, make up for that. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabeman
a cross-country rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the Johhny T maguras, and they work very well. They are pretty easy to set up and adjust, and they stop very well. I upgraded from LX cantis, but I have also tried friend's XTR V brakes: basically, V brakes make it easier to lock up your wheels with less force, but Maguras slow you down better. I like 'em. Also, the hydraulics lines can't get filled with grit and muck like cables can, and the brakes never develop slop like V's. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
M Jennen
a weekend warrior
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: June 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've bought a pair of Magura Bartman 3 months ago and the only thing I can say so far is: DAMND this was the best upgrade I've ever done!! A friend of mine has got V-brakes, and the only good thing about that, is that I don't loose him if he gets behind again, because when a drop of rain falls on the street, they squeel like a young pig!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas King
a cross-country rider
from Moreno Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I put on a set of Johnny T. brakes the other day. These brakes
are tremendous! I believe they weigh more than my previous setup (Real levers
and Onza H.O. brakes w/Scott-Mathauser pads) but I don't notice any sluggishness
in the handling or climbing. The power is only slightly greater than my previous
setup, but the power is less abrupt than with the extra grabby mathauser pads.
These are without a doubt the smoothest most pwerful brakes I've ever used. An
extra bonus is that I get all the stopping power with less effort than my old
cantilever brakes. Helpful hints: 1) the Curve aluminum Magura-style brace is
both cheaper and lighter than Magura's steel brace. 2) with a fork with wide-set
legs and brace, you'll have to use a Magura style brace up front to get the
brakemounts to set up the proper distance from the rim.
Overall I must give these brakes a 5. They are the ultimate in all aspects
of brake performance. There may be more powerful brakes, or more sensitive
brakes but none that match the Magura's in both catagories. One more thing:
The Magura Johnny T.'s are supposedly red. Mine came in a day-glo red. I don't
mind the bright color, but some of you overly style concious MTBers may not like
that. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sinisalo
a cross-country rider
from Agassiz, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 20, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the Magura Johnny T, upgrading from canti's, and all I can say is 300% IMPROVEMENT!! To the people whose leaked, you can't blame Magura for the fact that you're a lousy mechanic! If you had installed them right the first time you would have had no trouble at all. Nothing compares to these babies, Maguras rock! Best modulation in the business, strength far exceeds V-brakes, what more can you ask for! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Goran H. Johnson
a cross-country rider
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: November 24, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
The Tomac Edition is the best brake set I have ever used. The only thing that at first kept me from installing them on my bike was the pinkish red color, but it was actually quite easy to sand blast it off. There was not even any need to disassemble it, only tape cover the hoses and connections. The blasting leaves all components with a satin smooth gray metallic surface, so they look as great as they work. It also makes the somewhat chunky handles look better, plus nicks and scratches don't show as much. To conclude: it is a great product! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thys Post
a cross-country rider
from the Netherlands
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the magura Johny T brakes 6 months ago and love them. I've tried several different brake systems (e.g. XT Canti, Machine tech, Shimano V-brakes.) but the maguras rule. Since I installed the brakes 6 months ago they didn't require any adjustments at all. There worth every dollar you spent on them. | | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 259.00
