Tech features: No compromise, fully hydraulic disc brake system with a single piston, fixed brake caliper featuring direct manual pad wear adjustment. Slotted stainless steel 160mm diameter rotors for both front and rear. Composite brake lever assembly (master cylinder) with expansion chamber and grippy 2-finger cold forged aluminium lever blade. 5 years leakproof warranty on both brake lever and brake caliper
Submitted by
Cyclops
a Cross Country Rider
from Silver Sands West Australia Date Reviewed: October 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Dwellingup
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
E-bay
Strengths:
Cheap and light, nicely made and look good
Weaknesses:
Lot of lever travel
Similar Products Used:
Hayes Nine, BB5's, Tektro IO, Shimano Deore
Bike Setup:
Merida Kalahari 2008 Commuter hack, slicks, Magura front rest is standard.
Bottom Line:
Its not a downhill brake you morons! Works fine as commuter brake, bit too much travel before bite but OK. Bought one at closeout from an online store on ebay, thrashed it for 2 months, no problems so I bought two more for spares/my xc Voodoo wanga. Power of the brake is not huge but its for XC or commute not all mountain or DH. I only paid about $19US each so Happy!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
greg9499
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Vic, Australia Date Reviewed: February 25, 2009
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Work fine when they work
Weaknesses:
Unreliable! I spent HEAPS of time returning them to manufacturer again and again each time the seized up. They would repeatedly squeak and jam. The manual adjustment design also means that they can need new breaking in after being tightened up.
Piles of steaming crud. In the end even the Magura rep couldn't make them work and upgraded me to Julies for free.
Similar Products Used:
Magura Julie. Quite good.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale F700
Bottom Line:
avoid!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bennyjekyll700
a Downhiller
from Elk WA Date Reviewed: July 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
my property
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
with the bike
Strengths:
they look good
Weaknesses:
terrible stoping power, no strength, very soft feel
Similar Products Used:
tektro v brakes
Bike Setup:
2002 cannondale jekyll xt components clara breakes(soon going to be changed) lefty ELO fox float R rear shock
Bottom Line:
DO NOT BUY THESE. ive had my jekyll for about 3 months and ive had constant problems with my breakes. They are hard to bleed,very finnicky when it's time for ajustment. just unreliable. Dont bother with them get hayes or shimano
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
andy mc gill
a Cross Country Rider
from essex Date Reviewed: March 9, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
300
Strengths:
great system for braking clings to the disc well and light
Weaknesses:
none great product
Similar Products Used:
hayes hfx 9
Bike Setup:
scott genius stock
Bottom Line:
a great brake for cross country 10/10 no thaughts of changing for 2 years had them on my old bike and they still carry on A GREAT PRODUCT!!!!!!!WELL WORTH THE MONEY
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pike
a Cross Country Rider
from Eindhoven Date Reviewed: October 5, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
They look good but what discbrake doesnt
Weaknesses:
everything (sticky levers, 2 much travel, squeeling, nasty adjustment)
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS
Bottom Line:
Dont buy these. I went to the Alpes with these and that is just scarry! I ended up adjusting them for uphill and downhill during the rides. My XT V-brakes on my old bike work much better. Maybe its the one piston system or just Magura's incompetence, I dont know but DONT BUY THESE!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Howard Fugent
a Cross Country Rider
from Stuttgart Date Reviewed: October 3, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
farrad kaiser
Strengths:
Light Strong braking system
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Magura Gustaf, HS33, Marta SL
Bike Setup:
Cannondale FG1 single speed
Bottom Line:
if its to hot in the kitchen get out! these brakes work great but you have to know what your doing. They have to be set up corectly in order for them to work properly. 1. make sure all fittings are tight 2. make sure they are bled properly 3. make sure that they are instaled properly 4. make sure thay are calabrated correctly "IE" shims are instaled properly in order to make the brake pads come in contact with the rotors properly. And lastly if you don't know what you are doing get some one who knows what there doing to install the brakes for you "IE" a bike shop. I'm not sorry for the sound this review I use my CLARAS two or three times a week for the last three years. bottom line I think these brakes are great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alexis gagnon
a Weekend Warrior
from chicoutimi Date Reviewed: August 26, 2005
Favorite Trail:
chicoutimi city
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
shi$$$$$ product plastic s$#k the two lever broke after only a little fall not to by for the price
Similar Products Used:
none first hydro
Bike Setup:
kingpin 2002 , supra d rims, psylo sl un turn
Bottom Line:
don't by plastic
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
johnny checkerhero
a Downhiller
from C.A Date Reviewed: December 19, 2004
Favorite Trail:
single track
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Weaknesses:
everything. $h!tty levers, $h!tty pads, $h!tty dics, Dont work after bleeding, Brake lines leak like no other
Similar Products Used:
Hayes hfx 9 DH
Bike Setup:
dont fel like describing all parts, its a K2 brass monkey with nice $h!t after getting rid of claras
Bottom Line:
biggest peice of $h!t i have ever seen in brakes. They Fvckin work for maybe 2 weeks after intial purchase, after that they are done. Expensive pads/bleed. Im going to switch over to mechanicals because they are more reliable. Whoever made the claras should be hunted down and killed. If i could id give it negative Chile Peppers but unfortunately u cant do it. Definately do not get claras. If ur gonna get hydrualics go with hayes or hope but not magura
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adrian
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia Date Reviewed: November 9, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Lysterfield
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Cecil Walker
Strengths:
They look good on the bike
Weaknesses:
Everything except their looks.
Similar Products Used:
V-Brakes
Bike Setup:
Cannondale F700 2002, with Magura Clara's unfortunately
Bottom Line:
Have had nothing but trouble with these brakes since aquiring them with my new Cannondale. Bike spent more time in shop than out at the begining. Magura replaced the entire system over several visits and put the newer calaipers on as well as levers as these were faulty also.
Brakes squeeled badly until new levers went on, no as bad after but still some noise. Require constant adjustment, just had bike serviced by VicMTB and they recommended replacing levers with Shimano Deore or XT's as Magura lever sucks in air therefore requires bleeding all the time. Swapped over to Deore and only riden once but no noise for the first time and they felt great. Shop tells me they have converted the levers on many Magura sytems and they have had no problems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Fernie, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: September 9, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Too many to list
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Bike Shop
Strengths:
there are none
Weaknesses:
High mintenance, pads are too damn expensive, you name it and it went wrong with these pieces of $hit,
Similar Products Used:
I now have Hayes HFX Mag HD's...used them all season without any problems.
Bike Setup:
2001 Kona Stinky
Bottom Line:
I had a hard time giving these pieces of junk away. I used them 2 seasons and had nothing but problems. They leaked, always needed to be bled, I blew hoses, they always seemed to go out of adjustment,so I was always dicking around with shims. Replacement pads are horribly expensive. The bottom line is I would go back to rim brakes before I ever used these pieces of $hit again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a
from CT Date Reviewed: September 1, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
They stop over some time.
Weaknesses:
Long list. Plastic levers have no feel and they brake when you hit them like twigs. They need to be adjusted all the time they never work when you want them to they drag like it is there job i can not explain how much i hate these brakes.
Similar Products Used:
I would rather have the brake when i was a kid and you push back and your bike would stop.
Bike Setup:
F700sx stock. Anyone want to buy it.
Bottom Line:
These suck if you buy them someone should be given a gun to shot you because you are dumb. If they are on a bike you want to buy have them changed. DONT GET THESE.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Razali Osman
a Cross Country Rider
from Malaysia Date Reviewed: August 23, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Bukit Kiara Taman Tun
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$127.00
Purchased At:
KSH Bicycle Sdn.BHd.
Strengths:
Still as before
Weaknesses:
Very weak plastic lever part.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Deore XT
Bike Setup:
GT avalanche 1.0 with all parts upgraded
Bottom Line:
This is the follow up the previous review. Yesterday i had a cross country race here in KL, The plastic part on my brake lever broke after a slow speed crash. And the problem is i can't find a replacement part. went to the shop where i bought it and they say i have to buy a new set. And it's still cost the same. Very dissapointed with the quality of material used for such a good looking disc brake system.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Razali Osman
a Cross Country Rider
from Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Date Reviewed: July 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Bukit Kiara Taman Tun
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At:
KSH BICYCLE SDN.BHD
Strengths:
Good stopping power, good looking disc.
Weaknesses:
need a lot of adjustment and fine tuning.
Similar Products Used:
tektro mechanical disc
Bike Setup:
Giant AC frame, foxfork vanilla 125rl, time pedal, sram drive terrain set and some el cheapo crank set.
Bottom Line:
This brake works fine for cross country rider like me, been using it for about 3 month never fail, give good stopping power compare to my old shimano v brake. look good on my bike also. Need a lot of fine tuning and pad adjustment to get a great setup. REMEMBER!!! NOT SUITABLE FOR DOWNHILL!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Oleg Billert
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel Date Reviewed: June 30, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Very good modulation
Weaknesses:
Lever leakage and air in the system, noisy.
Similar Products Used:
Magura Luise
Bike Setup:
Scott FX-1
Bottom Line:
After a year of using I had to bleed the system after each and every ride. Amaizing Magura service, they send me the levers twice and even agreed to pay for the custom. Never buy Clara!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DK
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson Date Reviewed: June 3, 2004
Favorite Trail:
La Milagrosa
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
They leak air and end up needing bleeding during rides. I also had a sticky lever.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes Comp. Disc. I love them!!
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mt. Slayer
Bottom Line:
These failed on me in the middle of a long ride on a downhill section only after a few months of use without warning. Nearly killed me. I bled them and they appeared to work fine but then the lever started to stick. It would only retract ~50% of the way. Magura said they would replace it for free, but I was already fed up with their lousy performance and bought Hayes comp. disc. The Hayes are GREAT!! They work wonderfully and are relatively cheap if you get the comps or others on sale for about $200 F&R. Brakes are the MOST IMPRTANT part of the bike. DO NOT these unless you want to die!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bram Alexander Andersen
a Cross Country Rider
from Brabrand - Århus, Denmark Date Reviewed: May 30, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Used
Strengths:
Easy setup, fairly light, solid and good looking
Weaknesses:
Old :)
Similar Products Used:
HFX mech disc, HS-33
Bike Setup:
XT, Marz Marathon, Mavic317, American Cl. etc.
Bottom Line:
Bought them used from a pal. Have used them 3 times a week all summer WITHOUT ANY problems whatsoever. No service needed, no bleeding, no creaking. Solid, well modulated and light. Wondering if this is the same brake that the other reviewers got?! :)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
nikos
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Re-My Sport
Strengths:
Small Calipers (out of the way). Easy to adjust and clean out brake pads.
Weaknesses:
Sticky Brake levers. Not enough stopping power. Uneven surface wear on the rotors and pads. Contact pressure point on lever never at the same point.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Jekyll 700 SX. Full S.
Bottom Line:
They feel like decent hydraulic brakes for the first few weeks. Then the brake levers start sticking a bit in the beginning then alot later. Be prepared for suprises when having to tap the brakes instaintaneously, 1" pull on the lever usually locks her well - - but - - occasionally 1/4" might lock it too! SUPRISE!!! Its great...... NOT.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gordon
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise Date Reviewed: September 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Wouldn't youliketaknow
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$1000000.00
Strengths:
Now, not being a Mag disc user, I can't condone the use of their product. I do use HS 33's and love them to death, even though it took 3 days to set them up right, but now I never have to look at them again.
Weaknesses:
I can give three points of interest to help Maggie users along the bumpy road of set up so that you don't have to bite the bullet and go to Hopes (the best of the best). First, don't use mineral oil, I know...I know...they say you can, but it's too thick and braking response will slow down like Mole-asses in january. Second, make sure your mounting on the bike is perfect, I recommend contacting a shop that has the Maggie facing tool. Third, dump all the fluid on your brakes if they're over a couple of years old and replace with Magura Royal Blood, it's thinner than Maggie blood and doesn't boil as quickly, also improves the brake fade feeling and need for adjustment after every ride. Third...setup setup setup, take as much time as possible and don't be afraid to improv just a little to make things work. These fixes help a bunch if done right, especially the new blood.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes on my Stinky, HS 33's on my Kilauea
Bike Setup:
XTR, Sachs 9spd shifters for xc, xtr for diamond, mavic's Race Face, Hussefelt, Eggbeaters and Jack Sh@t's.
Bottom Line:
Maggies are great, but most people don't take the time to research or setup what they've got. If you've got maggies and still want to give them a shot, try pulling them, facing your mounts and bleeding them before remounting, I bet that will fix 99% of problems. A lot of work when you could just buy Hopes, but worth it when you get them set up right. Don't like em and wanna get rid of them ? E mail me, I'll deal as long as they don't leak !
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jan
a Racer
from Vermont Date Reviewed: August 22, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
I cannot of of one darn good thing to say about these things.
Weaknesses:
just about everything, noises, air that is always in the line, the break never seems to be set at the right settings. UNRELIABLE
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
2002 rocky mountain instinct stock.
Bottom Line:
Nothing can describe what I feel about these things. They are high matainence and time consuming peices of junk. sometimes they work and sometimes they fail completly. This is just not good enough for me I've decide that i should check out a hayes or maybe and avid. The lack of power from this brake doesn't even make it worth one dollar.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
royce
a Weekend Warrior
from onida,sd Date Reviewed: July 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
porcupine rim
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Pedal and Paddle pierre,sd
Strengths:
better than dragging your foot,rotors give appearance of real disc brakes on your bike, can also be used as hood orniment for dodge pickup
Weaknesses:
dangerous,sucky,never work when you need them most
Similar Products Used:
dragging foot,shimano v brakes,avid mechs.
Bike Setup:
custom jekyll
Bottom Line:
dont buy them,even if they come on your bike.you would be much happier with a boat anchor to pith off when brakes are needed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ludwig
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UK Date Reviewed: June 22, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
They look like disc brakes..........
Weaknesses:
They don't work like disc brakes.....
Similar Products Used:
Hope M4's, V Brakes, Soles of my shoes, my face
Bike Setup:
2002 Cannondale F800 (Lefty, Upgraded to Hope M4's, Hope Bulbs, New seat, seat post i.e. removed all CODA components)
Bottom Line:
Came as standard on bike.
Worked fine for the first few months of light use. Took them on a serious ride to Wales and the levers pumped up after half a days riding.
Since then, the system kept on filling with air and required a bleed after EVERY ride. Good when they work - you'd just better be an avid mechanic with a free hour after each ride to rebleed.
Seen them for sale at £35 on closeout - false economy when you consider how much you will have to spend on bleeding.
I have now upgraded to Hope M4's and I am looking forward to fitting and forgetting.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a Weekend Warrior
from san mateo CA. Date Reviewed: May 19, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
NO PLUG
Strengths:
OK FOR FLAT'S
Weaknesses:
OVER HEAT'S TO FAST! and thay leek!
Similar Products Used:
NONE
Bike Setup:
99. ENDURO FSR BETD UP GRADE'S. WITH manitou black
Bottom Line:
The brake's suck real BAD! if you are going dh at ALL DO NOT! BY THIS PRODUCT! OR you will pay the price HARD!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: April 18, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Marginally better than a top vee brake,without the rim wear
Weaknesses:
Pumping up and binding on
Similar Products Used:
nil
Bike Setup:
Cannondale f700
Bottom Line:
These gave me a hell of a hard time until I took them to a rival bike shop who told me the origional levers had been recalled because the plastic piston would bind in the lever housing and cause them to pump up. Since then they have been ok but still nowhwere near as positive as, say, Hayes
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from NY Date Reviewed: March 29, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Easy to setup,decent power when they work
Weaknesses:
constantly bleeding them,plastic housing cracked
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Avid
Bike Setup:
Schwinn Rocket 88
Bottom Line:
When I got these I loved the huge increase in power over V-brakes.After a few weeks I needed them bled,was OK for a while but I find I have to bleed them about once a month or so.Magura doesn't make these anymore but don't buy them at closeout,spend your money on Avids or Hayes Hfx-9.They're comparably priced but a lot less problematic.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Wu
a Cross Country Rider
from Cherry Hill Date Reviewed: March 8, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$145.00
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
NONE
Weaknesses:
AIR KEEPS GETTING IN BRAKES CONSTANTLY
Similar Products Used:
NONE
Bike Setup:
Monty x hydra
Bottom Line:
DONT WASTE MONEY ON THESE BRAKES. NOT WORTH GETTING. GO WITH HS 33s
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anton
a Cross Country Rider
from München (a.k.a. Munich) Date Reviewed: March 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Globe
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Good braking power, perfect control
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Magura HS 33
Bike Setup:
Freeride MTB
Bottom Line:
In virtually hundreds of review, I've read that these brakes leak, screech, don't provide enough stoppage power, and have to purged quite often. Therefore, I wonder why I didn't have to experience one of these problems. My Magura Clara 2002 work like a charm. I never had to purge the hydraulic system since I got my bike one year ago.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marcus Bowers
a Cross Country Rider
from Nova Scotia Date Reviewed: February 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Strengths:
Worked well out of the box and for the first few months. Easy pad adjustment.
Weaknesses:
Resevoir leaks in cold weather (below freezing. After several months of use stopping becomes impossible (even after bleeding the lines and changing the pads). Single piston.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes Hydro, Avid Mech
Bottom Line:
I would not waste money on these brakes.(or any single piston hydro for that matter)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
frederic laude
a Cross Country Rider
from France, paris Date Reviewed: February 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
They comme with my scalpel
Weaknesses:
Unreliable, completly unreliable. I remove them because of that. When tey work (sometime, they works ok)
Bottom Line:
I had to remove them for formula B4 (much better option) I think cannondale should not mount them anymore on their bike. I had to spend another 400$ to have some good and reliable brakes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nelson rider
a Downhiller
from Nelson B.C. Date Reviewed: November 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:
719
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
None... they suck @$$!!!!!
Weaknesses:
everything
Similar Products Used:
Side pull breaks that came on a bike I bought at cosco when I was 10!!!
Bottom Line:
These are the worst breaks ever. Don't buy them.They need to be bled weekly and sent back to magura monthly. Once and a while they will stop me but usually not. They have a very unconsistant feel. They are very unrelieable. They don't even deserve one flamin' chili. Magura should not be aloud to sell these.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from NH Date Reviewed: October 7, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
for the very slight amount of time that they actually work... they can stop you..sometimes..
Weaknesses:
I could fill this entre page up with reasons why they are just horrible.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Avid, Magura Louise
Bike Setup:
2001 RM slayer
Bottom Line:
DO NOT BUY THESE BRAKES.. I promise you it will be a waste of money..even if you can get them for like $50 dollars. They are defective most of the time, if not, they will never bleed right, never have the same grabbing point, fade after any significant use, they have caused me more grief then I could ever have imagined.
Peace
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Charnecki
a Cross Country Rider
from Logan, UT Date Reviewed: September 30, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
last about a week after bleeding
Weaknesses:
everything
Bottom Line:
These are terrible. Everything that could go wrong has. They always squeak and rub which is annoying. Very inconsistent even after being bled. The brake pressure is never the same. I don't know what Magura was thinking.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Bracebridge Canada Date Reviewed: June 19, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Radical
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Cyclepath
Strengths:
Good power and modulation when working properly
Weaknesses:
Air in system - repeatedly
Similar Products Used:
Hayes Hydro, Avid mechanical
Bike Setup:
Jekyll 2000 with a few upgrades
Bottom Line:
Garbage. These brakes have been sent back to Magura 3 times, and have been either replaced with new Claras or fixed. I have never used them for more than a month without having to have them bled. They work okay, but are completely unreliable. Magura should not be allowed to sell such crap.
These brakes don't even deserve 1 chili!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dziugas radzius
a Cross Country Rider
from portland Date Reviewed: May 10, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
fat tire farm (stock on bike)
Strengths:
good warranty (they replaced the set up twice before i threw in the towel)
Weaknesses:
need to be bleed after every ride that requires any amount of braking, they drag like that's their job, soft and squishy like Pug
Similar Products Used:
Hayes - i'm chucking the maguras
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mt Slayer
Bottom Line:
The shop was right when I bought the bike - as soon as I get the money, upgrade to Hayes, which I just did last month, best upgrade I ever made. If you can't afford Hayes, go v-brakes - stronger, stiffer, and most importantly -they will actually work consistently.
That is my biggest complaint - I could not rely on my bike, cause I never knew how long the brakes would last (I was losing them consistently during rides)...plus they dragged like crazy (which did make me stronger physically, but emotionally was draining)...plus I was sick of seeing the dread in the mechanics eyes every time I came into the shop with my bike, which was every other week or so.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonds, WA USA Date Reviewed: April 1, 2002
Favorite Trail:
The one that never ends.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Gregg's Cycles
Strengths:
NONE.... well maybe the warrenty. Take well advantage of it. It might be the only way Magura will learn, once they see how much $$ they lose on replacements each year.
Weaknesses:
If you want it go wrong, at the worst time, buy Magura. I Have to bleed them after each and every ride just to get 1/4 of a mile worth of adequate braking power before that darn handbar gets in the way. They rub excessively, which make me feel inadequate on the hills - emotional trama. Plastic cap on reservoir likes to: warp, brake, crack, and make gargle noises under temperature variance.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Shimano... etc.
Bike Setup:
Rocky Instinct: stock except for Time Carbon Pedals and Easton Carbon straight handbar. And soon to come Shimano Hydraulic Disc.
Bottom Line:
I think Magura should pay ME to use their brakes. If they didn't come stock on my Instinct and weren't covered on warrenty i would have trashed them long ago. But since they keep swapping out newer and newer equipment on my bike, i'll keep dishing them back. Sometimes in a matter of weeks (i'll be on my third set next week). I feel as though i am a product tester for them and i should bill THEM for my time, not to mention my LBS and all the time they spend swapping out each set. I'm just waiting for the time they fail and i get hurt - then the money will just keep rolling in! P.S. I would have given a rating of no chile peppers if it would have let me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Gilly
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Date Reviewed: February 7, 2002
Favorite Trail:
anything with big air and speed
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
United Cycle
Strengths:
Works well when set up properly, excellent warranty.
Weaknesses:
Often fail, pumping is always required and then they start to leak. As I said warranty is good but is is kind of pointless. I went through seven levers this season(thank god for warranty)but now they are to expensive to keep up so I am going back to v's. Aren't reliable
Similar Products Used:
hayes hydros, hayes hmx-1 (only tested never owned)
Bike Setup:
I-drive xcr-2000 with junior T and coil-over-shock rear. Rhyno lite rims, magura claras, and wicked classic vinyl shiny seat by WTB
Bottom Line:
Good when set up properly but I am still waiting for that moment since it has never been more than two minutes without the brakes failing. Magura has an excellent warranty but have to learn to make good brakes so that the warranty can really be useful. Disk brakes are too expensive for me!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Yfly
a
from Phoenix, Arizona, US Date Reviewed: December 19, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
All weather brake performance
Weaknesses:
Plastic housing
Similar Products Used:
Magura Marta
Bottom Line:
Clara's came as standard on my bike.
Relatively light weight. Acceptable fit and finish. Brake performance reliable in wet and dry conditions. No leaking (in the limited time I had these brakes).
Even after very precise mounting and adjusting pads would rub after braking hard a couple of times. Some pump experienced (one of the reason for rubbing I geuss). I could not get over the plastic lever housing and the idea of hitting something and the housing exploding. Apart from that the plastic housing also make the Clara feel mushy. I know this now because I upgraded for Marta. Even though the Marta's are way to expensive I feel I now have the good old XT V-brake firmness with the all weather performance of reliable disc brakes.
In short: No complaints on the performance although I do not like the mushy feeling of the lever.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango Co usa Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Colorado
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
HFS
Strengths:
When working they work well
Weaknesses:
Plastic lever housing is CRAP!!! Both levers cracked, and one shattered. Brakes 'pump up' which makes the reach much farther, and the rear brake rubs.
Similar Products Used:
First time on discs
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Instinct
Bottom Line:
I too love the bike and HATE the brakes. I've had nothing but problems from day one with these Claras. If Magura warranties my broken levers I will not put them back on my bike; I'm going with XT.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G T
a Weekend Warrior
from Mass Date Reviewed: September 20, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bow Ridge
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Travis Cycle, Medford Ma
Strengths:
Warranty!!! They work Great when they work.
Weaknesses:
They didn't work as designed often enough.
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Instinct
Bottom Line:
Love the bike except for the brakes. Front brake was no problem, back was never good. Magura replaced the back with another clara and that failed also. They are replacing the second one with another magura today(not clara). I am hopeful that this one keeps the bike on the dirt and out of the shop. LBS has been great throughout the process. Made sure all was fixed under warranty. Thanks Brian!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marko
a Downhiller
from Slovenia Date Reviewed: September 8, 2001
Favorite Trail:
behind my house
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Bike Point
Strengths:
Superb stopper in all conditions, looks classy, inexpensive, uses biodegradable mineral oil, 5 year oil leak warranty, not too heavy
Weaknesses:
It takes some time to reach its full strenght, flexy lever housings, but that doesn't affect performance so it doesn't matter that much
First of all: this is a review for the 2001 Clara with dual pistons, not the one with a single piston.I read that quite a few guys out there had problems with rotor clearance with the previous model.Well, I didn't wave any problems with this model, I just had to put some spacers (which are included) in the back.The brakes did feel very mushy in the beginning and I thought there was air in the hoses.I decided to wait a bit with bleeding and refilling the brakes even though I had to pump the levers a few times before they started to stop adequately.Magura stated in their manual that you have to expect a break-in period. At that time my cantilever brake equipped other bike stopped better and I wasn't at all pleased with the Maguras!Well, my oppinion changed 100% after a few hours using them.They started to work superbly, it was like night and day!Modulation is great, nose wheelies effortless, and you can still lock the wheels with one finger.They are (now) strong enough for freeriding, yet they could be used for XC because of their reasonably light weight (around 430-450g per wheel). After the disappointing performance just after installation I did expect some improvement (though I was partly just being optimistic), but the difference after fhose few hours was really unbelievable.So if you just bought them and feel they are crap, just bear with them for some more time, because they become great stoppers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Waspinator Waspinator
a Weekend Warrior
from USA Date Reviewed: September 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
Some online store
Strengths:
Obviously, you get some of the advantages of hydraulic systems and disc brakes. Also, it has a compact caliper design that fits closely within the mount on your frame's dropout and the mount on your fork, unlike the Shimano XT Disc that looks like a flattened tarantula that sits quite a bit outside the mounts.
Weaknesses:
Plastic master cylinder and plastic lever and plastic handlebar mount. They flex!
Similar Products Used:
Tried out other disc systems on other bikes.
Bike Setup:
GT Avalanche with XT/LX/CookBros/Syncros/RaceFace trimmings.
Formula Evoluzione disc brake on the front.
Bottom Line:
This would probably be a great brake system if the handlebar mount of the master cylinder weren't plastic. The plastic flexes when you pull the brake levers hard. And that flex makes the braking feel mushy and weak, which eliminates the two main purposes of buying hydraulic disc brakes, i.e. 1. the solid feel of hydraulic levers as they're pulled and 2. the increased stopping power. But because the master cylinder handlebar mount flexes, some of your efforts are put into bending the mount! The aluminum brake levers will not help, in my opinion, because the flexing occurs primarily at the mount rather than the actual lever. I have a Formula Evoluzione on the front wheel, and the difference in feel between the two brake systems is like night and day. The Formula is solid as can be. The Magura Clara is as mushy as a rotten peach when compared to the Formula.
The plastic mount is simply an inexcusable design flaw by Magura. I doubt that making everything in aluminum would have raised the price of this brake system all that much. I'd love to know why Magura made that idiotic decision.
3 chilis, because the brake functions well, but nowhere near as well as it could if Magura simply made the handlebar mount/master cylinder in aluminum, not plastic.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
koxe
a Weekend Warrior
from münchen, germany Date Reviewed: September 4, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
weight, price, function, great feeling and using of the brake power, nice design (especially the brake levers with small oil tanx)
Weaknesses:
plastic brake levers are weak. I broke one in IMHO really absurd situation like: stand your bike on the ground and let it fall on the pavement.
Similar Products Used:
my 1st disc. didn't try seriously any other disc brake.
I don't understand the guys saying that these brakes are weak and unable to adjust. well -maybe it's because of the fact that I've got my claras allready fine setup from the shop. but anyway -I use this brakes 6months and I didn't have to touch it (just to clean it). these brakes are cool. maybe not the hardest, the strongest but -do you need it? I can stop with claras whenever I want and they are great in feeling and using the brake power. this is not a brake that is only ON or OFF. it's sensitive, fine, a bit soft but if you need it you can always bring the claras to a hard block-top. they are sometimes a little bit squeechy -mostly when they're full of dust. but it doesn't affect the brake effect and you can still clean it if you don't want to scare the ladies while riding urban. the only one weakness are the brake levers. I broke one in really light situation (see weaknesses). I think this shoudn't happen with a fully hydraulic brake that is? designed for a bit harder riding. so -if you are an allrounder and if you think of some hydraulic discs those are good, light and still cheap than this brake is here for you. I give 5value chillis for all the +'s and 4overall because of the weak brake lever and yet sweeter magura Louise.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Simon Barker
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Catharines ON, Canada Date Reviewed: August 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
It's a secret.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Not purchased!!!!!
Strengths:
Magura seems to be good with warranty.
Weaknesses:
THEY SUCK! No power, crappy modulation, crappy construction, plastic levers??!! No adjustment. Oh yeah, did I mention THEY SUCK!!!!
Similar Products Used:
XT disk, Hayes Hydro, Formula, Avid Mech., Hayes mech. yadda yadda....
Bike Setup:
all.
Bottom Line:
Check it out. I work at a shop as a mechanic and I would like to steer everyone away from Magura brakes. We are a Cannondale dealer so lots of our bikes have them. We have not sold a bike with them that has not been back with problems. They are crap. Magura seems to warranty everything though. I'm talking about all of them, Clara, Louise, julie. Only one I haven't seen is the Gustav DH brake. Unless you're a trials guy lookin for HS-33's, Magura is the devil, and the devil is bad!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michele Fiorentino
a Weekend Warrior
from Bari, Italy Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Heidelberg, Germany
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
power-plenty of! they look very good! lightness
Weaknesses:
spongy lever(even with metal replacement) variable point of contact modulability is not so controllable
Similar Products Used:
normal v-brakes
Bike Setup:
cannondale 700sx, 2000
Bottom Line:
Okay, I ever dremed the disks, and I buyed the bike for having them. The looks good, but when you are in the bike it does not matter anymore. I am still at the beginning, and I don´t know how to adjust them seriously, but beware that the 2000 model need a lot of tweakings, even during the rides. so prepare your 5 mm allen key! last ride I made some bunny hops and the brakes changed they point of contact many times. Now I am looking the correct position of the wheel-disks-caliper for the best set up. This is a first impression, but I think that they need a lot of care and not everybody like it. Modulation is good, but not too much superior to Vees. Buy them if you have time and will to spend on the brakes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver Island, BC Date Reviewed: July 10, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
Hydraulic Good modulation Price
Weaknesses:
Weak power compared to others Very fragile lever assemblies(composite) Rotors warp easy
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Shimano, Hope
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Slayer. Z1 dropoffs. Now Hayes hydraulics. Bike is setup for xc and freeride.
Bottom Line:
When I first got the bike the front brake was very weak. After reading about them I figured they just needed more time to burn in. Well it never happened. I could not lock the front up hard enough to even do an endo. I had them bled and bled and bled, adjusted, adjusted and adjusted and even new pads to no avail(NO POWER). Eventhough I had no power, the front rotor warped??? So now impossible to setup without drag. The rear was excellent, till the lever/reservoir assembly broke off in my hand after a long downhill singletrack. LBS has been excellent and got me a new one (warranty) and put it on. Took the bike home, rode around the block to burn in new pads and the new lever assembly broke in the same place right below the reservoir. LBS had ordered another assembly(warranty) but I can't trust them. Maybe I just had bad luck but I don't trust these brakes. Now I have Hayes and all the stopping power I need.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Travis
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria or Castlegar, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: June 12, 2001
Favorite Trail:
The hammer
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Sacred Ride, Rossland BC on a 2001 DeVinci Banzaii
Strengths:
Price, looks (nice rotors), works like a damn in rain, shine, or mud... what's there to say other than it does the job well?
Weaknesses:
Levers not adjustable
Similar Products Used:
Hayes Hydro
Bike Setup:
2001 DeVinci Banzaii, Mr. T front, Fox R rear (5.9"), magura clara hydro, truvativ hussfelt cranks, xt front, xtr rear
Bottom Line:
For a Hydro disc, you can't do much better for the money. People b!tch and moan about the unadjustable brake levers (me to) but when you get used to them, its fine - honest! I love these brakes. I ride on BC's "Wet Coast" and have absolutely covered them in crap, and have had no problems. They don't rub, and are very easy to maintain (require none, really) and use. I mean, maybe they're not the big guy on the market with the flashy colours etc, but I have yet (in 6 months of riding) to find a problem with them. For that, its 10 flamin chilis
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dale
a Cross Country Rider
from Bethlehem Date Reviewed: June 10, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Excellent stopping power
Weaknesses:
Squeal like a banchee being slaughterd.
Bike Setup:
jekyll 700sx
Bottom Line:
Stop skidding in the woods!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dani Scheiffele
a Downhiller
from Blaubeuren,Germany Date Reviewed: March 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Mountains around Blaubeuren
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Easy to mount and good braking.
Weaknesses:
Plastic levers (not so good if crashing), always dragging.Dirt destroys the brake.The srew for bleeding the brake is too small.You always have to control (every week) the setting of the brake pads.If you don't, the disc will rub on your caliper and will destroy it.We have seen many of those cases.
Similar Products Used:
Hope, Shimano.
Bike Setup:
Storck Adrenalin Pro with Marzocchi Z1 CR.
Bottom Line:
The brake is not made for people who only want to ride and not to repair (most of the people).There are other brakes (not Magura) which brake better and don`t bring so many problems with them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ron
a
from West Palm Beach (Yeah theres hills) Date Reviewed: January 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Behing K-Mart
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Bicyclery of West Palm Beach
Strengths:
Clean predictable stopping power Great modulation Great performance in mud, water, or dry Customer service is great Plus a set of shiny discs complement any bike
Weaknesses:
Make some noise if not adjusted carefully the first half of the 2000 year levers have weak return springs that result in the lever sticking but are replaced happily by the friendly costomer reps.
no lever adjust :-(
Similar Products Used:
only V-brakes and those are basically "on" "off" kinda things in comparison
Bike Setup:
2001 Cannondale Jekyll 700, CODA Expert(rims, bars, hubs, cranks, bottom bracket. Kenda Cross Xc slicks+Hutchison mosquito airlight TIres (nice-n-grippy) XT front+rear, XTR shifters, Dem brakes, fox float rear, headshock super front, XT cartridge, CODA stem, thompson elite post.
Bottom Line:
Great brakes but touchy adjustment if there not done right they will be spongey and give the levers more than desired travel. but once you learn the technique to getting them right they are a rock solid set of stoppers. HERES THE TRICK if they feel spongey get a light behind the caliper and lign up with it and undo your skewer (yes your skewer) unthread the leverside a few then tighten the knob side and adjust, youll fell the difference ( do this untill you get the disc the closest to the ACTIVE side of the caliper) then move the slave side out hence making up for the travel in the lever(uses less fluid to get the pad to the disc) take the disc to the pad.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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