Submitted by
slapmackie
a Weekend Warrior
from chatt, tn. u.s.a. Date Reviewed: September 3, 2008
Favorite Trail:
raccoon mtn.
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
everything worked great untill i bled them.
Weaknesses:
front brake bled fine, rear never took even after half a dozen bleeds...!
Similar Products Used:
avid juicy 7
Bike Setup:
08 heckler & niner one 9
Bottom Line:
when i recieved the brakes they had about 10ft of hose on both front and rear. its pretty easy to cut hose to desired length once without having to bleed, but i had to a second time which was terrible! the front brake bled just fine, the rear never took. i bled them by the book nearly 6 times with the same result every time. major mess! no clean way to really go about it either. these were for my single speed, so i just opted out for some bb7's, keep it simple! this review is for the 07 model.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jSatch
a Weekend Warrior
from SoCal Date Reviewed: July 7, 2008
Favorite Trail:
laps around the jacuzzi
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$235.00
Purchased At:
ChainReactionCycles
Strengths:
stopping power
quiet
easy set-up
adjustable
Weaknesses:
pricey
Bike Setup:
SC Heckler
Bottom Line:
I have the non-carbon, '07, BAT version with 8" front and 7" rear rotors ('07 package deal).
For Juicy's these rotors would be overkill for trail riding. But these brakes modulate so well that you can finesse the trails and still get stoppage when the ride goes downhill. Look at their website for rotor size recommendations and riding style. Pretty much spot on.
QUIET, even when wet.
Set-up from '07 model on is easy. Like most other modern disc brakes just squeeze the brakes then tighten the calipers. Shortening the hose was a snap too, and did not require bleeding (me or the brakes) afterward.
Like the Juicy 7's, these are adjustable for reach and contact point.
If you can find a good price on the '07's get 'em. Still the solid, single piece caliper housing.
Very pleased with these brakes so far. I opted for these over the Juicys and Hayes Strokers. Glad I did.
4 stars for value as they are expensive unless you opt for last year's model.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Boberinoe
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, Id Date Reviewed: June 28, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Excellent power, light weight, great adjustability, and they look awesome
Weaknesses:
Carbon levers may get scratched
Similar Products Used:
Magura martas, Hayes HFX-9, Avid Juicy 7's
Bike Setup:
GF Fat Possum
Bottom Line:
Best brakes I've ever owned. Stopping power is second to none, and the BAT adjustment is amzing. In the future I will upgrade to larger rotors, currently running 160 front and back. No complaints what so ever. Good brakes to finish off your all mountain rig or light enough for a XC racer. Could probably even use them for Downhilling, they're that powerful.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TaintPretty
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: April 14, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
HammerHead
Strengths:
Stop on a dime and so far maintenance free.
Weaknesses:
Unexpected nose-wheelies on decsents
Similar Products Used:
Feet, trees, riding buddy
Bike Setup:
Intense Spider 29er
Bottom Line:
Love these brakes. Now I feel stupid for not upgrading my brakes when I was racing. With a weight of 200lbs I have more momentum than most, but these brakes could care less if I weighed 120lbs. I have suffered through numerous issues with my bike but these brakes are not one of them. Nothing like high performane parts that require high maintenance but these lack any maintenance.
You want to walk into a LBS on a Saturday morning and get instance service? Mechanics spot these from a mile away and are happy to work on your bike. With my Reba shock getting me in two different shops too often they always spot the brakes and ask how I like them as they drool.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RedBlueGreen
a Cross Country Rider
from England Date Reviewed: August 22, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Great Build Quality, 5 year leak proof warranty, High Power, Excellent Modulation, Lever Adjustment, Reliability and Ease of Set Up. Oh yes and they're SUPER QUIET! :)
Weaknesses:
Doesn't look as 'Bling' or 'Pimp' as some other brakes.
Similar Products Used:
Avid, Hope, Hayes.
Bike Setup:
Maxlight XC
Bottom Line:
Okay, so these brakes don't look as cool as others, but hey, they work brilliantly. I honestly can't fault them. I should add that I have them in 180/160 flavour and wonder why anyone would want more power than a 160 on the rear wheel. I could go to a 203 ventidisc on the front but I'm trying hard to reason why as the 180 has enough stopping power for me (I'm 100kg). I didn't/haven't endure any problems installing them aside from making sure they're aligned properly. Once the pads had worn in I found that I can do superb 10ft 'Stoppies' and also lock the back wheel at will. These brakes have beautiful modulation...their 'feel' is what makes the whole package work for me. Braking power's nothing unless it's controllable. It's going to have to be a brake and a half to get me away from these beauties.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Deen Markey
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle Date Reviewed: June 15, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Good weight, good power, ease of installation, modulation.
Weaknesses:
Lever reach is uncomfortable and I have some pad drag.
Similar Products Used:
Hope M4, Magura Louise, Shimano Saint and XT.
Bottom Line:
Good brakes with plenty of power and feel. The installation was straight forward and adjustments have been fine. Some pad drag is annoying but I am still experimenting. As another reviewer said the lever throw is a bit of a distance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a
from Duluth, Ga, USA Date Reviewed: May 13, 2007
Favorite Trail:
401 or Colorado Trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
$250.00
Strengths:
Serious stopping power, Great modulation, No noise or pad contact, Decent weight.
Weaknesses:
None, really. The lever is quite a reach, but after one ride you get acustomed to it.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XTR m960, Magura Julie
Bike Setup:
06' Santa Cruz Blur LT, 07' Fox DHX air 5.0, 07' Fox Talas RLC, Mavic Crossmax SL's, Kenda Nevegals, Thompson stem and seatpost, XTR Cranks, X.0 Shifters and rear derailleur, Crank Brothers Candy SL, XTR front derailleur, Oury lock on grips, Easton Monkey bar
Bottom Line:
Decided that I wanted to switch my cockpit from the Shimano XTR m960 dual control to Sram X.0. I need some new brakes and just read the MBA review of the new Magura Louise BAT's. I decide to go with the 180's venti front and rear. I threw them on and went straight to Moab and Durango for a week of thrashing. I tested them on the greats: Porcupine, Colorado Trail, etc..... They absolutely blew my old XTR's away. I aways had pad contact, noise, inconsistent power, and trouble setting up the XTR's. The Louise performed perfect and lived up to the MBA's review. I love the endless power and adjustment. They are a little pricey, but if you take your gear seriously and test the limits of your bike then buy em'!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Trujillo
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM USA Date Reviewed: November 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
North Bootleg
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Awesome stopping power, easy to setup and install, no noise, excellent modulation and the BAT works extremely well
Weaknesses:
Some slight pulsing when light pressure is applied.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes nines
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Epiphany, Fox Float RLC 140mm, XT/XTR drivetrain, Mavic Crossmax XL wheels, Thompson and Easton parts, 203 F&R Louise BAT brakes, Kenda Blue Groove 2.35 F/R
Bottom Line:
Although I only have the Louise BAT without the carbon, these brakes are amazing. They have all the stopping power I could ever want and they are so easy to set up and adjust. The modulation is fantastic and they were ready to go right out of the box. I was a bit concerned that 203 front and rear would be too much brake for my XC and freeride style but I have come to love the power on demand that these brakes provide. I highly recommend these brakes to anyone who rides aggressive XC trails or loves to freeride.
$
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
