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. Fully aluminium brake lever assembly (master cylinder) with expansion chamber and new grippy 2-finger cold forged aluminium lever blade with reach adjust. 5 years leakproof warranty on both brake lever and brake caliper!
Submitted by
chomxxo
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Francisville, LA, USA Date Reviewed: January 27, 2009
Favorite Trail:
The Beast!
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Great XC stopping power, but no worries at 35mph+ downhill either. Great modulation, have never failed me, a 205lbs rider.
Weaknesses:
Have had to adjust horizontal spacing between pads using slim adjustment washers provided from time to time to avoid rub. Brakes are light but rotors belong on Eric Estrada's bike.
Bike Setup:
2002 Cannondale Scalpel
Bottom Line:
Virtually maintenance free! I have swapped out everyting on my bike in an upgrade frenzy, but I just can't justify replacing these, especially after hearing horror stories about crashes, bleeding probs, etc. I have never bled the brakes on my Louises. I just bought some new pads in prep for some new light rotors, but the old ones look fine. Although this is an '02 I admit it sat around for a few years but there's at least 2000 miles on the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Richardson
a Downhiller
from Enhgland Date Reviewed: December 20, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Lordswood
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$139.00
Purchased At:
e bay
Strengths:
Good stopping power, light weight, easy to replace pads (and there cheap) good n old skool
Weaknesses:
dont look very funky
Similar Products Used:
Avid Juicy, Hayes.
Bike Setup:
Azonic steelhead / big hit
Bottom Line:
Damn good and light. realy reccomend them, there good for dirt jumping and singletrack.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Harald van den Braak
a Cross Country Rider
from Tilburg, netherlands Date Reviewed: July 2, 2006
Favorite Trail:
drunense duinen
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
was on bike!
Strengths:
good braking power(for one cylinder!)
Weaknesses:
manual adjustment brake pads, but you just do not have to adjust them each time you went biking
Similar Products Used:
-
Bike Setup:
merida magnesium elite, fully xt and xtr build up. Manitou mars (top model fork). I now have mounted them myself on my cube ams bike, full xt and xtr build up. They still work well, couple times serviced brake pads have many milage and still not worn.
Bottom Line:
All rubbish reviews the bad ones, okay brakes never had problems with them even after years!!! They come very cheap now, they are better as rim brakes spent the money.... I assure you they are okay.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tom(timmy) pepler
a Downhiller
from bath Date Reviewed: December 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
white bridge
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
ricciltd
Strengths:
good length of levers, strong sharp braking,easy maintenace,looks good.
Weaknesses:
only that people say there sh*t before they try them which i think suks!
Similar Products Used:
deore Vs,tektro
Bike Setup:
gt chucker,mozo pros3.5,azonic,tioga,d521cd deore disc,magura louise 2000 discs,fsa vdrive cranks,
Bottom Line:
these brakes are nice there well worth the money and come fully setup which is handy.these brakes are aimed at freeride and trials,strong braking ,long levers its all good ,only problem is that people diss em before theyve even tried em....which pisses me off
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
low blow
a Downhiller
from liverpool Date Reviewed: December 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
umm
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
some shop
Strengths:
umm well everything!!!good sharp brakes for low money and looks good just like any disc brake does....
these brakes and worth the money and if you get to buy them go for it ,ask the shop to bleed them is easier trust me and if u like downhilling go for it go on!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dog eat cog
a Weekend Warrior
from austalia Date Reviewed: December 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
u like yess!!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$189.00
Purchased At:
umm my mum bought um
Strengths:
when i first pulled the brake lever going along its as if the wheel just stopped no problems no worrys.this brake offers amazing power and a great feel.the caliper is nicely tucked up out the way and the levers are just long enough.
Weaknesses:
hard to set up and to get in the right place.thats all but when they are set up right bloody hell these brakes stop u.
these brakes are excellent and are worth the money if u have the chance buy them they rock, mainly if u ride a bike buy them thats all bye (.)(.)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ryan spencer
a Downhiller
from london sumwere Date Reviewed: December 7, 2002
Favorite Trail:
going gone!
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
ummm i cant remember
Strengths:
this brake is nice and is strong in every erea.the caliper is a good solid shape and can take abuse so its beatable.haha unlike shimano deore mechanicals.good modulation sharp and snappy.
Weaknesses:
well ive only just noticed surface rust on my caliper but it rubbed of so no worrys,no weeknesses really then.
Similar Products Used:
shimano deore mechanical, normal vs
Bike Setup:
orange,qr20 junior ts,f219s on xt disc,xt evrythin.
Bottom Line:
if u like messing about on ur bike on the trials get em if ur in to trials get em if u .....icould go on for ages really if u have a bike and u want cheep good efficient brakes get them theyre the doggys wat nots...oh ive only just found this site and it rocks and cheers magura!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
andy heat
a Weekend Warrior
from bristol Date Reviewed: December 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
NE
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
ricciltd
Strengths:
this brake offers quality braking,its nicely designed to tuck away by your frame.....>its hoses are easy to take care of and fit into the normal v holders nothing rong so far.
Weaknesses:
rattly levers (doesnt happen if u tighten em so mine are fine now)sweet!£$%
Similar Products Used:
hayes,avid mechanical(nice get these cheap and good)
Bike Setup:
cortina,z5s,truvitiv,azonic and stuff including the sweet d321s oh yeah.
Bottom Line:
get m the amazing and cheep to so thee in my books and by the way if u like jumps the perfect probably good for trials as i did it once.oh if u diss magura try em before u diss em cuz trufully there amazing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john master
a Downhiller
from derby Date Reviewed: December 1, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Strengths:
sharp,good looking,lite,there just basically good!
Weaknesses:
levers rattle .
Similar Products Used:
hope mini discs
Bike Setup:
kona stinky,shivers,truvitiv,azonic.mavic d521s onto hope big uns
Bottom Line:
these brakes are aimed at people who want breaking when they need it ,theyr sharp and come with a cutting edge look.one problem levers rattle thats the only week spot but other than that there good and sharp.good for jumping /trials /downhilling especailly (oh yeah!)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
harry winchfield
a Weekend Warrior
from london Date Reviewed: December 1, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Strengths:
this disc brake offers power and strength,the levers are easy to look after so are the discs. perfect for jumping and trailing.
Weaknesses:
the only weekness is that the levers rattle when u go on cobbles and its dam annoying.
Similar Products Used:
first disc brake
Bike Setup:
on one gimp,mxc air ,race face ,azonic,tioga.
Bottom Line:
these brakes offer good potential and easy to look after .strong ,trusty and good looking gives a good brake go get em!these brakes are for trailers or jumpers they can take a fair deal of abuse and still be as sharp as u like.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tommy
a Racer
from Tenterden, Kent, England Date Reviewed: October 31, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
e-bay
Strengths:
lightness and looks because it is slim due to the fact it only has one slave piston.
Weaknesses:
not a lot of power unless set up for ages
Similar Products Used:
magura Hs33, shimano xt v's
Bike Setup:
ddg shooter, base trials forks, Hs33 rear, louise front.
Bottom Line:
im surprised that no-one has noticed the awesome performance if you spray the disc with water; it acts as if it is a 2 piston brake. however, this can piss me off always making it wet. overall, it is a crap brake and unless you do very soft cross country, NEVER buy this brake. ps. does anyone know how to do a 360 pivot on the rear wheel?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
handlebars
a Weekend Warrior
from NW indiana Date Reviewed: October 29, 2002
Favorite Trail:
challenge park extreme
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$179.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
not much. i beleive my v-brakes probably worked better. definately more reliable. customer service (jimi) is incredible!!! five flames for jimi!!!!
Weaknesses:
both calipers have developed leaks and had to be warrantied. although c/s replaced them promptly. serious brake fade even with royal blood. will lock up if overheated too much. royal blood was supposed to address this but it still happens.
Similar Products Used:
hayes comp
Bike Setup:
'02 enduro expert. raceface cranks, psylo sl fork, sun singlewides, abbah hubs, hayes discs 8"f 6"r, xt drivetrain, float rl and romic coil shocks, maxxis tires
Bottom Line:
bought these at pricepoint for 179.00pr. after a couple months of working ok, the frt caliper started leaking. replaced with warranty caliper and it worked ok again. never had much power. i always had to use two fingers to make the bike stop with any authority. the rear caliper started leaking shortly after and was replaced as well under warranty.(can't say enough about magura warranty) on the other hand, i had to use them(warranty people) way too often. i didn't really realize what braking power was until i replaced the fronts with a hayes disc. holy crap!!! now that's stopping power!!! once i found out what a difference the hayes made, i replaced the rears asap. also, the constant pad adjustments on the maguras was absurd. they never seemed to stay in adjustment for more than 10-15 miles. hayes=pull the lever once--pads are adjusted!!!! value is nothat great on a product that doesn't work as well as others it's competing with. if so, we'd all be on wal-mart schwinn's right? 0 flaming chili's overall if it wasn't for the outstanding warranty people!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian
a Cross Country Rider
from Huddersfield W.York UK Date Reviewed: August 30, 2002
Favorite Trail:
the local's
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
came with me bike.
Strengths:
well. erm... they was good for the first two months, but then, well THEY WERE CRAP
Weaknesses:
JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING, well slight exaduration there but they are spongey and need pumping for ages to get contact, need adjusting all the time and the service kit is well too expensive, just for bleeding it n e way and halfords charge 20 quid to sort em out 2.
Similar Products Used:
none, but they are a hell of a lot better than v brakes, but the crappest discs around
Bike Setup:
Full suspension, XTR Kit, carrera Hellcat (from halfords, great bike 2000 model is n e way)
Bottom Line:
there ok if you were to use your bike every weekend but for daily use they are naf. stick british and go with hope. av given em 2 becos they are better than v brakes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matthew Juros
a Racer
from Boxford, MA USA Date Reviewed: August 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Bald Hill
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Front brake is grabby as hell.
Weaknesses:
Rear brake is mushy as hell. Must be rocket scientist to bleed these brakes.
Similar Products Used:
Magura Louises that came on my Cannondale 3 years ago-which were great once they were set up right.
Magura has a problem with these brakes. The LBS that sold me these has never been able to get them set up properly. I'm embarassed for them. These brakes their nightmare (and mine, too). I broke my old Maguras (busted lever-front and messed up seal-rear) in a race crash and wanted to replace them - big mistake. It's more than 3 weeks since they've been on my bike-they've been bled 10-12 times, master cylinder replaced, pads replaced and no improvement. I've had to do 2 races with these stinkers and I consider myself luck to have my teeth and vertibra intact.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ray
a Weekend Warrior
from Port Orchard , Wa. USA Date Reviewed: July 23, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Silverdale Cyclery
Strengths:
None that I can think of. Cannondale failed to do their research
Weaknesses:
Front brakes have squealed loudly off and on and rear ones rub/drag and no adjustment seems to work for more than a few miles.
Similar Products Used:
None...First time disc brake user.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale F700
Bottom Line:
They have squealed their little piggy tunes for the last time...I plan on sending them back to the Magura company....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Dewar
a
from UK Date Reviewed: June 7, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Halfords Bike Hut
Strengths:
Simplicity of initial setup, and the fantastic instant bite when coupled with a rough grind trials disc. The weight of the brake calipers, levers and hose combined is very light and that is what I require.
Weaknesses:
The irritating nesecity of having to wind the pads on via 5mm allen key every two hours of ridding.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Deore Hydro, Formula B4, and standard Shimano Deore Cable (tested)
Bike Setup:
Megamo Equip Pro 2002 Stock Trials Bike, Drilled Rims and ultralight head setup, wheels with static hub and rolling cranks, Michelin HOTS tyres etc.
Bottom Line:
Simple to setup, and easy to use. good modulation but little in way of adjustment, very lightweight setup, very good bite, (Possibly due to the fact that I run a custom Megamo ground trials rotor).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
they sorta work
Weaknesses:
leak, weak, hard to get adjusted etc
Bottom Line:
Well i thought after reading all the reviews that people have submited that they would only brake if i rode them hard or thrashed them or something. Being a 14 year old that weighs 55kg and dose xc i didnt think they would play up for me as i am a very light rider and dont thrash the bike. I had them put on by a bike shop and went out straight afterwards and they were crap. I went back to the shop and got them reblead and they worked fine after that untill the next day where a "blew a seal" and had it leaking. So i took it back and had it fixed this time it held out for a while (proboly cos i was off the bike because of an injury) buy when i went to get back on the bike after i had got better from my injury what did i found that the front wheel was locked up and was hard to move. At the moment i'm going to try and sell them and but something that might hold out a bit longer even if it is a mechanical. It might just have been the set i got but with the rest of the reviews out there i dont think so. I am not going to say avoid at all costs but it is a really good idea to buy something else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gary Harris
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, QC, Canada Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Andes - Santiago Chile
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Village Cycle - Hudson Quebec
Strengths:
If you get a set that work (how likely is that??), they'll stop your bike... I suppose.
Weaknesses:
Back brake has never worked - it leaks - i.e. need to pump it to close the pads. Has been bled repeatedly, rebuilt twice.
Similar Products Used:
First set of disc brakes.
Bike Setup:
2001 Cannondale F4000 - full XTR including XTR crank set. Spared no expense.
Bottom Line:
In my opinion, these brakes are garbage. I'm am about to cut them into little pieces and flush'em - I'm switching to Hayes. I will never buy another Magura product... ever. And I'll go out of my way to make sure the people I ride with don't either. And as for Cannondale, I bought a Cannondale bike with Magura brakes (their choice) - this is a top-end hardtail with brakes that don't work. I don't feel very good about Cannondale either.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DS DS
a Cross Country Rider
from San Fran, CA Date Reviewed: January 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
+ Cheap + Quiet + Easy to adjust for pad wear (which you will have a lot of)
Weaknesses:
- Very bad fad / lost of power on long descents - poor pad life - poor caliper construction - have to pump brakes to build up power
Similar Products Used:
Coda Discs
Bike Setup:
Cannondale F9
Bottom Line:
Bottom line - avoid these brakes unless you are just looking for disc images.
Brakes came with the bike and I always intended to upgrade - never did until now. This was my second set of disc brakes. My first were Coda on another bike - nice F2000. Comparing the two, I would go with Coda although I have not compared or considered other manufactures.
After two years of use, the brakes continue to fad on long descents. I have bled and changed the fluid and they still fad. (fyi...I am 180lbs). Brake pads are too small in my opinion. I go through brake pads every few hundred miles. Recently, I discovered that the caliper design is poor. I got lazy and did not check the pads for a while and wore through the pad backing into the calipair cylinder! Cylinder should be designed to never come in contact with the disc!!!
So I am finally upgrading. Don't know to which brand, but nor Magura Louise.
Overall, if you don't ride hard, are not heavy and/or primarily ride in dry areas then these brakes are for you - but why would you buy disc brakes anyway?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Racer
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: November 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bowenvale
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Pennies
Strengths:
Works better than Vs
Weaknesses:
I have had many problems with these brakes. They have been in the shop 15 times in the last 6 months.
Bike Setup:
Full Xtr
Bottom Line:
Review of 2001 Magura Louise which came on a Wheeler bike with full XTR. I got this bike for x country racing in sometimes wet conditions.
I have had an awful lot of problems with these breaks I tell you. I have taken the bike into the repair shop a total of 15 times. The first problems I have had were that the brake levers kept pulling back to the bar no matter how much adjustment was done with the pads and with re bleeding. In the early months I had the bike in the shop while new parts came in (A 6 week wait!). They replaced the brake levers, but still no relief, so they replaced them again, still not working. So (You guessed it) they replaced again, but they still pulled back to the bar even when just bleed and even when both pads were touching the rotor. Finally they put Julie levers on and the brakes have not leaked since and have worked OK (With the different Brake Lever there is a slight loss of power). Some of the problems can be explained by an apparently flaw in some 2001 brakes. I wait for a new new set of levers and after that I hope to finally have them working properly.
On the positive side the brakes certainly work far better in the wet over XTR Vs even with ceramic rims and I have been able to use this to my advantage while racing in the wet. In the dry they give you increased confidence too.
So overall I have had many problems, the importer here in New Zealand has not been all that helpful insisting he see physically busted brakes before replacement meaning I am off the bike for another day. The guys at the bike shop have more recently been helpful always fixing the problems. They they assure me that the problems I have had are not characteristic of all their customers which I sure and hope is the case. Hopefully I will soon get new replacement levers and can give a better review, but for the moment I suggest you try the slightly more expensive Hope or other brands.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
The Squeaky Wheel
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey Date Reviewed: November 19, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Ringwood
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Magura
Strengths:
Power, modulation, lever feel
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Magura Louise '00 (self-adjusting type)
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 2002 Louise FR system.
The system is pure joy. Mounting is a snap. Just put them on, shim the rotor to the center of the caliper, and I'm done. No pads to adjust and no need to be concerned about a slightly warped rotor. There is a wee bit of drag on the front, but the manual states this is normal during the break-in period so I'm not giving it a second thought for now. The lever is better ergonomically and it allows me to move the caliper & shifters closer to the grips. This was a real minus with the '00 Louise. In order to get my fingers to grab the sweet spot on the lever of old Louise I had to move the lever quite a bit inside. Not an issue anymore and now I don't need to reach inside to shift gears. The entire lever/master body feels much more solid than the old Louise. No more rattling or accidental forward displacement of the lever. As for perfomance......huge power improvement over old Louise while still retaining excellent modulation. I've tried Hayes and always felt old Louise was a step behind in the power department (but much better at modulation). New Louise FR is provides as much power as Hayes while still avoiding that on/off feel. All in all, I couldn't be happier. A definite improvement and another great product from a great company.
Move over old Louise, there's a new girl in town.
The Squeaky Wheel
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Pearson
a Weekend Warrior
from Wellingborough, Northants, UK Date Reviewed: October 17, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
Superb stopping power, easy to set up, just require a little patience.
Weaknesses:
Can "pump up" on long technical descents
Similar Products Used:
Magura Julie
Bike Setup:
As purchased Carrera Hellcat
Bottom Line:
These brakes are so much better than V brakes, I can see a day when all bikes will be disc equipped. If the prices keep coming down everyone will be able to experience the superb stopping power these offer. The plastic levers are a bit flimsy, but at least they snap without damaging the rest of the brake lever body. A metal lever would cause all kinds of damage in a nasty fall.
Pads can wear quickly of not set up properly, take some time and they are superb!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eddie Delag
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester UK Date Reviewed: October 9, 2001
Favorite Trail:
anything in the Peak district
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
came with the bike
Strengths:
naff all
Weaknesses:
pads wore out very quickly despite changing the pad compound, spongy levers, noisey, crap
Similar Products Used:
Hope
Bike Setup:
Mountain Cycle's San Andreas, C'Dale SV, C'Dale F900
Bottom Line:
I've had 2 sets of these babies and 1 set of Claras, they all came with the bikes. They all broke within about 8 months. The pads don't last, the levers get very heavy and they don't inspire confidence. Each time i've had to replace them with Hope brakes which i have to say are leagues ahead of Magura. Despite numerous trips to the Magura service centre they still came back crap. I had them serviced by 2 different shops and both reported similar faults. I tried contacting Magura direct but the failed to return my emails and calls. DON'T BUY THEM. Save up a little bit more and buy hope, hayes anything but Magura.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Flagstaff, AZ Date Reviewed: July 28, 2001
Favorite Trail:
South Mt. in Phoenix
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$179.00
Purchased At:
Internet site
Strengths:
Cheap. Easy to adjust. Light
Weaknesses:
Nothing but problems since i've had it. It's been in & out of the shop, & I finally had to send it back for a new set.
Similar Products Used:
This is my first set of disc brakes
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Bullit
Bottom Line:
This is a cheap set of disc brakes, but it would have been worth it to spend a little extra money for a quality set of Hayes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Christophe
a Downhiller
from Boulder Date Reviewed: July 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Mammoth Mountain, CA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Direct from Magura
Strengths:
•Very affordable - $129 for 2000 front and rear, $189 for 2001 front and rear 380g a wheel for 2001 model - lighter than almost all other hydraulic brakes, lighter than some v-brakes (lever and brake).
•Excellent modulation •Excellent 'bite' on rotor •doesn't fade because of heat •pretty quiet once set up right
• best 2-piston (or is it 1 piston?) brake I have ever tried
Weaknesses:
Only adjustable by using .2mm spacers and filing caliper/disc brake tabs
flimsy lever blades - I think CNC blades are available lever blades have play and rattle on downhills (annoying as heck!)
Similar Products Used:
Hayes HMX-1 mechanical, Avid mechanical, Hayes hydraulic
Bike Setup:
Kona Roast frame, Z1 mcr qr20, Race Face NS cranks, sram/xt, 31lbs freeride hard tail
Bottom Line:
excellent brake for the money. once you get them set up, they are great stoppers. one finger braking, even when downhilling. They do squeak when the rotors and pads get dusty (especially in Mammoth, CA). Magura support is excellent and they are very friendly. e-mail response time is only a day or two.
I support Magura products and will continue to do so!
if you have any questions, please e-mail me
5 for value because a set is under $200 4 for overallbecause lever blade and setup could be better
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
EUGENE ROY
a Cross Country Rider
from HOHENFELS,GE Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
GIGGABUMPS,HOHENFELS,GE
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$86.00
Purchased At:
STADLERS,REGANSBERG,GE
Strengths:
TWO MILE BRAKE IN PERIOD,SMOOTH AND SENSITIVE
Weaknesses:
LEVER THROW AND ADJUSTMENT (THERE ARE NONE)
Similar Products Used:
HAYES DISC,XTR V'S,TECTRO V'S, AND MAGURA GUSTAV'S FOR ONE WEEK.
Bike Setup:
HOME SHOP
Bottom Line:
I bought this brake system for my surroundings, I live in Hohenfels, Germany and the weather here changes very frequently. Rain,snow,sleet,and very brief periods of sun are the types of elements I have to ride in. The terrain here is difficult, and not many tires work on brown bogger clay, so I needed a brake that would excel and so far the louise has been my favorite, even with globs of mud hanging from her. Thanks MAGURA !!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder, Colorado Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
SPORTS GARAGE!!!!!
Strengths:
Super light Good as hell stoping power for one piston beyond easy to adjust pretty darn cheap
Weaknesses:
It doesn't come with a free RM9 or help me get chicks....or does it????.......
Similar Products Used:
Avid Mech Disc, Avid V's, Sram V's, Hayes Disc, XT V's(most powerful v brake by far)
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Element Race, Marzocchi Z.1 XFLY, 519's on XT DISC, Magura
Bottom Line:
This is a great brake for the money, if you find a good deal on these you can get two for the price of one hayes, plus these are close to as powerful as hayes after you break them in. I'm not knocking hayes, because their brake kick ass, but this is so much easier to set up, for instance, a little bit of drag on the trailhead? just pop out your 5mm and wala, problem solved after 30 seconds. No doubt in my mind that these are worth the mula, perfect brake for cross or freeride. Make sure to get the levers in red, its worth it. ride on. FRORIDERS KICK ASS!
Once setup correctly they work fine for a while. Good pulling power. Strong, small quiet calipers.
Weaknesses:
Water gets in very easily. If you own this product, DO NOT WASH YOUR BIKE WITH A HOSE because the water will get into the calipers, then they will need bleeding and re-oiled which is a long process, meaning you will either have to ride with no brakes or not ride at all. Personally I'd rather ride with no brakes.
Similar Products Used:
Hope DH 8's
Bike Setup:
GT DH 4 I-drive
Bottom Line:
Great brakes which are best for cross country, but they are fiddly and take a lot of maintenance. But that comes as standard with all hydraulic discs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris (spare tire) Ambler
a Cross Country Rider
from UK Date Reviewed: January 20, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Chicksands Woods
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Power and modulation, Ease of setup (see weaknesses)
Weaknesses:
setup can be very fiddly to get right, but once it is right boy do these babies pull hard
Similar Products Used:
only V-brakes
Bike Setup:
Cannondale f900
Bottom Line:
Despite the setup difficulties (which can soon be mastered) these are the best disk brakes ever
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob Schepanowski
a Weekend Warrior
from Chatham,ont. Canada Date Reviewed: January 20, 2001
Favorite Trail:
anything dirt
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$160.00
Strengths:
light, easy to adjust pad wear, very strong in muddy conditions, quiet
Weaknesses:
shimming the caliper to fit the bike.
Similar Products Used:
hayes hydraulics
Bike Setup:
SANTA CRUZ SUPERLIGHT
Bottom Line:
I love these brakes! On a recent ride in Michigan, in rainy and muddy conditions, I was the only one with discs. There was lots of noise and complaining from my comrads about lose of brake performance, and noise from their V-brake equipted bikes. I had no loss of brake performance and minimal noise from my lady Louise. If you ride x-country and want a good disc brake, you can't go wrong with these.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from U.K Date Reviewed: January 12, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Mt Snowden
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Relatively light and very powerful. Endos are too easy!
Weaknesses:
Pad adjustment is manually via an allen key and is pain in the arse. Also the brakes squeal in the wet and mud wears the pads down down at a scary rate.
Similar Products Used:
Hope XC 4's - they are heavier, slightly more powerful and have more feel.
Bike Setup:
Marin Mount Vision 2001
Bottom Line:
These are good, light hydraulic disc brakes but the manual pad wear adjustment and poor performance in mud mean they should probably be avoided unless you live in a dry climate!
$ 189.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
