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Submitted by
Brett
a Weekend Warrior
from Shanghai, China
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Pyranees - Aix les Thermes | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Powerful braking, reliability | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | XTR disk brakes | | Bike Setup: | Custom Giant NRS frame, XT components | | Bottom Line: | I built my first Giant NRS with Magura HS-22 brakes in 1998. I rode the bike hard for 5 years and it is still used regularly by friends coming to visit. In all that time, never a single braking problem. 100% hassle free. I put full XTR on my new bike and have had to replace the disk pads repeatedly as well as replace the disk itself. The Magura set up is both cheaper and much more reliable. Highly recommended V brake. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james
a Downhiller
from castro valley CA
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | CBO | | Strengths: | looks | | Weaknesses: | weight, ease of installation, engineering | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT,LX Avid single digit Ti | | Bike Setup: | Kona Pahoehoe,GT Zaskar LE | | Bottom Line: | These PARTICULAR pair of brakes do not get kudo from me for a number of reasons. The major reason is installation. I bought the brakes because I have never heard anything but good news about them. I think I got a dud pair because I never got them to work. This set is magura blue. I'll start with the levers. They look pretty cool but they vould definitely be lighter. The hydraulic mechanism of the lever could be attached to a machined billet aluminum mouniting portion, but instead, it is one whole peice of cast metal. the lever arms are hideous! they are huge and heavy and uncomfortable. The brake lines are a pain to set up! they obviously cannot be attached to the normal mounting weldments but the way they are routed is riduculous. The worst part about the brakes is installation. There are cast painted parts that have to be pressed into place and never moved again. You must be perfect first time in this case. No room for error. After that the calipers are squeezed into place. The idea of hydraulic brakes is brilliant. The way this is engineered is not. Much work needed. They still get some praise because mine are an exception because they are disfunctional. Expensive, but not a bad price considering that they are frickin hydraulic brakes. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GRAEME BLAIR
a Downhiller
from ABERDEEN
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ANY STAIRCASE | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | OF A MATE | | Strengths: | POWER, MODULATION, LEVER FEEL, ROLLING STOPPIES.. DID I MENTION POWER. | | Weaknesses: | ARE YOU KIDDING. | | Similar Products Used: | V'S, CANTI'S, AD990, ACS BOA,MECHANICAL DISKS, YOU NAME IT I BROKE IT. | | Bike Setup: | BARRACUDA FRAME, ZOKES ELITE 130MM, MAGURA HS22, TRANZ-X STEM, D.C.D, DIAMONDBACK PLATFORM PEDDLES, DEAD BACK DNM SHOCK, WORK IN PROGRESS... | | Bottom Line: | STUNNING BRAKES. TWO PEOPLE HAVE DISAPEARED OVER MY BARS SINCE I FITTED THEM AND ANOTHER HAD A BALLS TO STEM MOMENT(YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE AARON). POWER IS AMAZING BUT THEY ARE HARD TO SET UP INITIALLY. SOD DISKS GET MAGGIES. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david
a Cross Country Rider
from corvallis, oregon, usa
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle doctors | | Strengths: | They are great modulation, nothing compares to their power, nearly maintainance free | | Weaknesses: | adjustment is tough, and the housings are difficult to replace. They are a little weighty, but if you need to stop that is not an issue. | | Bike Setup: | cannondale caad 3 with mavic usb rims. | | Bottom Line: | Magura rim brakes are the best. They are a little tough to deal with if anything breaks, but I have used them 3 years without anything breaking. Now they make lighter more adjustable models. I would choose Maguras over v-brakes any day. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jameson
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle Washington
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with dirt on it | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | ?? I can't remember, they've been on my bike for 6 years | | Strengths: | Durable
Awesome Modulation
They'll never let you down
Once they're set up you can forget about them
Pad life (at least for the green(frog) and the black pads, tha's all I've used) | | Weaknesses: | In my six years of riding on these (HS-22 raceline D) the only complaint I have is that I cut the front line too short for my new Z1 | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes 8" discs, shimano v's, and good ol' cantis | | Bike Setup: | zaskar, Z1, HS-22 raceline d, lx xt xtr drivetrain, sun rhyno lites f/r, Ringle sun of bubba front hub, king rear hub + headset, kore aheadlite, SDG grand prix, shimano 747's | | Bottom Line: | If you're looking for the best possible rim brakes that you can get anywhere, well, you're done looking. The Magura hs-22 racelines are by far the best braking system on the market as far as rim brakes go. I mean yeah, a 8" hayes setup is going to stop better, but those are intended for FR and DH rigs, not heavyduty crosscountry bikes. The slight weight penalty of these over v's is more than made up for in durability, stopping power, no more worries about wire cables, and the ability to set 'em up and forget about them.
If you're scared about messing with the hydraulics don't worry about it. Magura includes great instructions and offers great customer service to make it a piece of cake to install the brakes.
One warning though, these brakes will flex the S$%t outta your frame and fork (even my Z1) so get the brake boosters. Why wouldn't you want to anyway? The raceline yellow just looks so cool!
Oh, and as a added bonus, you don't have to reset your brakes when you change pads like you do on v's. All you do is give the pads a little tug and out they come. Then snap in the new set and you're good to go.
This is one component on my bike that I can say I've definately set up and just forgotten about them, they're just that good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Shawnee, KS
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | maintenence is easy; it just has a nice feel, control is easy | | Weaknesses: | I stripped the magnesium clamp bolt (maybe I tightened too much?) | | Similar Products Used: | XT Vee | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX 870, Mammoth rim | | Bottom Line: | I only have one on my front wheel, and it is just an easy brake to own even though it looks complicated. It is easy to set up and maintain, and very dependable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brandt wysocki
a Cross Country Rider
from thousand oaks
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | overlook | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | wheel world | | Strengths: | strongest rim brake period, once set up, a well thought up, well engineered brake kicks some ass! | | Weaknesses: | levers too big, go to cambria bike and get altek levers they have a thumb adjuster, for fine tuning. those levers are much more "V" lever like... cannot be used without the magura booster or you will break off the brake boss and your seatstays wont twist other than that..the prouduct kicks ass!!!! | | Bike Setup: | gt xcr 1500 sid ft and rr xt white ind wheelset | | Bottom Line: | dial it in use the boosters front and rear get the altek levers, and you will not need dick breaks $$$$$ dick is rich | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pee-Wee Herman
a Weekend Warrior
from GF, NoDak, USA
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Paul Bunyan SF, MN | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | NOS online marketplace | | Strengths: | Big levers, adjustable reach, sensible QR, modulation, power, price, quality, customer service, zero-maintainance | | Weaknesses: | Weight, big levers (which look too "moto"), magnesium bolts strip too easily, spacers/washers, don't work well with frame braze ons, no weaknesses performance-wise | | Similar Products Used: | XT & XTR Vs | | Bike Setup: | Maggies, Rhyno lite rims, Surly hubs, other "stupid" SS items | | Bottom Line: | I bought these as NOS on MTBR marketplace for a few reasons last year:
a) price
b) pucker power for learning trials stuff
c) I plan on gettting hydro discs sometime soon and wanted to get used to using and maintaining an hydraulic brake first.
So much for the maintainace part! I slapped 'em on and other than adjustments for different wheels, etc., have done zero as far as bleeding, etc. The Evolution adapters make setting up the perfect angle a breeze. There is no such thing as pas squeal, and the stock pads have lasted a long time (although I;m going to try some red ones next). They work well in all temperatures, no noticeable change in modulation in the cold. I can set them up for a ton of rim clearance, and the pads reach the rims with way less lever reach left than you can get away with using cable brakes, which I like. The adjustable lever reach is great for making both levers feel the same.
I think the value, performance, and feel of the brakes more than make up for the weight. I have been using them on my single speed, but when I get my first FS bike, they will go on it until I can afford hydro discs (probably Hayes).
I stripped one of the stock magnesium bolts, and contacted Magura directly - they sent me a whole bagfull of new bolts & washers of all types within days - free of charge!
Speaking of bolts & washers, the only major beef I have with the design is the washer/spacers needed on the brake studs between the Evolution adapters and the frame. On the QR side, this washer can fall off too easily when installing or removing the wheel. I found out the hard way. ON the flipside of this complaint, you can stack these washers to get the silver "knuckles" to clear seatstays or brake arches (as I have to do with my Manitou fork).
Bottom bottom line? Great product - get 'em!
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Lougheed
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria b.c. canada
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Powerfull if you move the lever to the middle of your bars more. Long lasting pads. Stiff and rounded levers. | | Weaknesses: | You are F***ED up if you think so. | | Similar Products Used: | HS-33
| | Bike Setup: | '98 Kona U'hu with a '99 z1 drop off, and alps 5r in the back. Gozzaloddi jr, and panaracer pyro on the back | | Bottom Line: | Great breacks, almost as powerful as disks, and low mantenace. (Don't trust your friends). If you don't mind wieght, the almost anyone should buy these. Bleeding is easy, and can do it easily alone, without a shop. The bleed kits are cheap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Davis,CA. USA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbr | | Strengths: | Strong... No leaks... Amazing power... Comfortable feel, and most of all no one has them. | | Weaknesses: | A little hefty if you are a gram counter but definitely worth it to me | | Similar Products Used: | xt, and some cheapies... lx | | Bike Setup: | 97" Specialized S works (gold edition) xt shifters, white industries cranks xtr drivetrain and xt hubs laced to mustang rims... and sweet Marzocchi Atom Bomb.. 23 pounds easy | | Bottom Line: | These breaks can stop you on a dime.. and they are great for trials. When you squeeze on the lever the power keeps going and going... absolutely no worries when descending and the better your brakes the faster you go without any worries. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Levy
a Cross Country Rider
from Evanston, IL USA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pelos Hills Chicago | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | I've had my maguras now for about a year and they are going great. I just stuck some new levers on them, the ones for HS33s and they work great on mine, they are awesome. I pretty much ride trials around the city so maguras are what i need, they are great for cross country too though. I would buy them in a second. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing at all, except the kind of big levers they come with, but that can be fixed. | | Similar Products Used: | Plain vee-breaks | | Bike Setup: | Dale - m500, titec hellbent riser bar, thomson seat post, LX crankset, LX rear deraileur, stx-rc front, RS Judy XC/Rigid Fork for trials, Maguras, LX hubs sun rims, its a dope ride | | Bottom Line: | THey are great, buy them. They don't fall apart, stop you always, and you can't go wrong, especially if you order them mail order, i got em for like 100 bucks, you can't beat that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Coonass
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Just one? | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durable, ease(lack) of maintainance, they stop with two finger finesse | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, by comparison, but you've got to be able to go slow to go fast. | | Similar Products Used: | Old school cantis. Grafton Onza Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Kona 853 Hot, RST XMO, /race face, syncros, XTR | | Bottom Line: | They came stock on my '96 Kona Explosif, what an awsome deal! I've been with them ever since, haven't ever jumped on the V wagon. Excellent power, modulation, ease of maintainance, RED pads here in the Texas dust are awesome. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Racer
from Rimouski, Quebec
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | 1991 World championships course, Bromont, Quebec | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Increadible breaking
Great modulation
Maintenance free
Easy to change brake pads
Works great even in mud | | Weaknesses: | Heavy
Pricy (at least they were when I bought them!)
Plastic brake lever flexes. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano catilevers
XT V-brakes | | Bike Setup: | XC race bike | | Bottom Line: | I've been using my HS-22 for about 5 years now. They are by far the best I've ever tried (except for disks!). And I haven't had to service them a single time since the purchase!!!!!! The brake pads are soooo easy to change on the fly. I'm a heavy rider (200 lbs), and I need stopping power. Magura delivers! The only thing that brakes better are disks. But I still think they're useless on cross country bikes! The HS-22 is a bit heavy (almost twice v-brakes), but their performance compensates for this flaw. The only thing I didn't like was the plastic brake lever that was too flexy. I replaced it with the metal version and voila! Problem solved! These brakes are the best. And anyone who says that V-brakes work just as well, surely hasn't tried these! If you need braking power, get a pair. You won't regret it! I can't wait to get my new Magura HS-33's that I ordered for my new Mountain bike! Their lighter and probably work even better, if that's possible. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Berserker
a Please Select
from Mattapoisett, Mass. USA
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | "Coyote Crap"&"Booby's Nut Buster" | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Magura name, beefy looks,no cables to freeze up in the cold and snow, MODULATION, etc.,etc.,etc.,......... | | Weaknesses: | ummmm.... hang on, i'm still thinkin'....ummmm.....uhhhhh....nope. | | Similar Products Used: | LX Vee's, Avid 2.0 Vee's, XT Vee's, Coda Canti's,Exage Canti's,STX Canti's, Bendix coaster brake.. | | Bike Setup: | Caloi Alu hardtail, Girvin Vector2 fork w/Noleen NR-1, Sun Big Fat Mammoth hoops. | | Bottom Line: | i bought my HS-22's used for 70$, what a deal. you guys that paid 60$ stole 'em. somehow get a manual, it is needed to get the exact set up and little nuances figured out. They are not V- brakes, so don't expect them to feel like it.They are better.Mud and snow performance is incredible. does anyone understand Modulation? you will after riding these brakes...of course some people that don't know any better or can't set them up properly will bash these brakes and say go with Vee's, but you owe it to yourself to at least TRY someone elses Maggies. 5 chilies ain't enough! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Bay Area
Date Reviewed: December 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
deed | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
they are great. Modulation is great | | Weaknesses: |
Thet are heave and hard to set up | | Similar Products Used: |
hays and XTR V's | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn Rocket 88 Stage 2 | | Bottom Line: | they rocked | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allen ONeal
a Downhiller
from Three Rivers, CA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Kamikazie | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Stopping Power
Durability
Price | | Weaknesses: |
Piston Seals | | Similar Products Used: |
Gustav Disk
Hayes Disk | | Bike Setup: |
Intense M1-SL | | Bottom Line: | very good for the price. lots of power and modulation. in my opinion, far better than any cable brake. no need to adjust all the time, set em up once and go, no worries! seals at the lever do leak over time though, but o-rings are dirt cheap. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mikey
a Racer
from C.A. Bay area
Date Reviewed: October 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Annondale | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
work great in wet and muddy enviorments | | Weaknesses: |
to much frame flex | | Similar Products Used: |
hays disc | | Bike Setup: |
I use a z-3 and a schwinn moab 2 | | Bottom Line: | they rocked | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a Downhiller
from milam
Date Reviewed: September 29, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
this system is very good. it is smooth and powerful. | | Weaknesses: |
must have ture wheels | | Similar Products Used: |
LX V-Brakes | | Bike Setup: |
gt bravodo with judy xl long travel. | | Bottom Line: | good but the tureness of your wheel jeperdizes the raw power | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WAYNE
a Weekend Warrior
from BALTIMORE
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
AVALON | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
STOPPING POWER OF 44 MAGNUM | | Weaknesses: |
WILL BEND OR BREAK FRAME | | Similar Products Used: |
VEE BRAKES | | Bike Setup: |
SCHWINN HOMEGROWN | | Bottom Line: | I WEIGH ALMOST 300LBS SO WHEN I'M BARRELLING DOWN A HORSE TRAIL I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO STOP IVE USED VEE BRAKES AND THEY WRE PRETTY GOOD BUT WITH THE MAGS I CAN LOCK MY REAR WHEEL WHEN THE RIM IS WET AND IM SITTING ON THE SEAT | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pierre Dionne
a Cross-Country Rider
from Laval Quebec (sub of Montreal)
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Calvaire d'Oka | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Braking power is unequalled!
Very transient, smooth if you want,
over handle if you pry!
Durable, no fuss... | | Weaknesses: |
Will pry your stays
Will be hard on rims
That about it! | | Similar Products Used: |
Vbrakes LX, i bent those... | | Bike Setup: |
Devinci Korrigan
XT/LX w/Mag21
Race Face Crank and rings(better than
Shimano) | | Bottom Line: | They are very smooth but will stop you dead in your tracks if you pry all four fingers!
Well done, no leak problems, do dust problems, no substitute IMHO! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Laurence Sachs
a Cross-Country Rider
from Gauteng -- South Africa
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Local Hood | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Name
LOW maintainance
Smooth Stopping
Look | | Weaknesses: |
Nope | | Similar Products Used: |
V's | | Bike Setup: |
Giant ATX800
Mozo Pro
Etc. | | Bottom Line: | This product rocks!!!! The extra weight is no problem when you know they'll stop you.
They brake sharp if u want them to, otherwise it's a smooth stop in all weather. They with squif rimsThey Look GREAT!!!!
Well done Maggie! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler
a Racer
from Salt Lake, UT
Date Reviewed: July 1, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Great Power
Durable
Pads last forever
Easy to maintain | | Weaknesses: |
Flexes stays
Wears out rims
Brake pad residue | | Similar Products Used: |
Hayes Hydraulic (Loved)
Hayes Cable actuated (Hated)
Shimano LX, XT, XTR (Loved)
Avid 1.9 (They work) | | Bike Setup: |
Pro flex Beast GDT
Girvin Elite fork | | Bottom Line: | I love the power these brakes provide. I have had my brakes for 2 years and never replaced the pads. I did wear out a set of rims though. These brakes work great. They have enough power to crush rocks into sand. This results in flexing the brake posts, stays, and fork legs. Stiffners are a must. I also broke the rear U cable when I was hopping a curb and my foot came unclipped. The replacement is surrounded by a steel mesh so I am not worried about it happening again. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan
a Cross-Country Rider
from bay area
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
once set up there's nothing more to do. | | Similar Products Used: |
shimano stx, lx, xt, xtr | | Bike Setup: |
kona hardtail with rs judy | | Bottom Line: | setting up is not as hard as some messages pretend - just follow the instructions or ask thorsten
weight is really not an issue. what exactely is that pound more weight compared to xtrs going to do to you...
they are pricey, but so are xtrs. you save maintenance time, avoid the dreaded squeal, and you can break securely no matter what. that is well worth the extra money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bio
a Downhiller
from Hailey, ID
Date Reviewed: June 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Baldy Mtn. | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
fairly simple | | Weaknesses: |
need braces | | Similar Products Used: |
Hayes Disc | | Bike Setup: |
pro-Flex Beast | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are alright for beginning downhillers, or dual-slalom riders, but in the end, discs are the way to go. Hayes especially. If you do decide on these brakes, buy braces for them! Otherwise, you will snap your brake post right off of your frame at the weld. that can be VERY frustrating. I am giving this product 3 chilies, because it needs to be modified too much in order to get it working good. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Do
a Cross-Country Rider
from St-Laurent,Quebec
Date Reviewed: June 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Excellent modulation
Plenty of raw power
Pretty looking | | Weaknesses: |
Adjustments is a pain in the ass | | Similar Products Used: |
Tektro's V | | Bike Setup: |
Indy 98 Xc(long travel) | | Bottom Line: | They are the bomb when compare to the v-brakes | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee Lau
a Racer
from North Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: June 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Walk In the Clouds | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
- Modulation
- Wet weather performance
- Overall reliability
- Brake pad durability
- Customer service unparalleled | | Weaknesses: |
- None - | | Similar Products Used: |
Magura HS -33
Shimano XT
Shimano XTR | | Bike Setup: |
Norco Rampage 853 hardtail set up for North Shore downhill trials | | Bottom Line: | I posted a review about HS-33's that were NOT 5 star - mainly because I kept braking lever blades. Originally, I was a Magura detractor because in my 2d hand-experience they were prone to breaking lines and they were an unknown quantity. This was not based on first hand experience but on hearsay and on a general reluctance to try new things.Up to Spring 1998 I was a fervent XT V-brake fan - I thought of them as value for money and as low-maintenance. When I got my first set of brakes (a present from some MTBR'ers for organizing a Whistler get-together), I realized that the standards for rim brakes had now been set. In short, I was blown away by the ease of use of Maguras. As a time-deprived racer and Shore rider who requires dependable brake performance, I strongly believe they are the answer.The only detraction was the ease with which the brake levers on HS - 33s broke. Admittedly they were from spectacular crashes being in situations which many other riders might not encounter but I was still disappointed. First incident was a fall from a 10 foot high narrow bridge onto forest floor; second was a cartwheel from a back-wheel move off a 4 foot log - both times the brake levers were set very loose but impact on lever was fairly substantial. I relate these incidences not to impress but to illustrate the rare nature of such catastrophic failure.Thorsten at Magura USA then hooked me up with physically stronger HS-22s which I have used without problems. They are tremendous in snow and wet. Modulation is second to none, durability is excellent, lack of need for regular maintenance is a godsend for those of us who ride year-round in gruelling weather.Support I have received at races; at the MTBR Brake forum and from Magura USA has been overwhelming. I can go to a race knowing with confidence that nothing will go wrong with my bikes brakes.I am one of those sponsored racers - grassroots only - that can pretty much race whatever I want to race.I chose Magura (and took the XTR V's/OEM off my race bike) because (1) they are second to none in rim brake performance (2) the customer service and support is without parallel. I am proud to say I am sponsored by Magura because of their standard-setting customer service.I have used Hayes disk brakes before but have not had significant time on same. Being fairly conservative from a tech perspective - I don't like using new technology unless I am compelled to - ie if it comes OEM on my race bike. Hope this casts some light on why I and so many others are devoted Magura afficianados.Lee Lau (Cyclepath/Magura/Norco) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Racer
from NJ
Date Reviewed: May 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mercer | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
I got mine for 60 bucks
hold well with no flex
easy pad change (easiest in all brakes- no Q's) | | Weaknesses: |
heavy,
b*tch to install
needed replacment levers to finally have them work and feel good
Bolts like to strip | | Similar Products Used: |
XT V's
XTR' V's
STX Cantis
LX V's
Hayes Disc
Tektro V's | | Bike Setup: |
S-Works M2 '98 w/ Manitou SX-Ti | | Bottom Line: | At first I hated these things because the lever required four finger braking, once I purchased the upgrade levers with speeddial adjuster I use only two fingers. I do trials riding and these brakes don't flex like flimsy XTR's, and I can stop on a dime with my Maguras. Weight is a *itch, but hey, it only makes me stronger. They do take time to set up so set aside at least two hours with the tires removed from your wheels for proper installation. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tim bugbee
a Weekend Warrior
from north andover, ma
Date Reviewed: April 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
ever? tie between bunker creek (brian head) and sunset/schultz pass (flagstaff) | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
first off, customer service. you may recall my complaints about this brake system earlier on this site. thorsten (magura usa rep) went out of his way to get my brakes working right. i told him up front that these were older brakes i got 2nd hand from a friend, but it didn't matter. so they came back, i installed them, and have been riding them through the winter and spring.what do i like about them?superb modulation. it's really nice to be able to control your speed when heading down a rock face, but not to worry about locking up a wheel.no-fuss maintenance. get them dialed in once and they are good to go for a while.lever feel. i have rather short fingers and the full-sized lever is nice, and has kept me from looping out on a few occasions, as i am able to grab the rear brake before that happens. | | Weaknesses: |
v brakes are a lot simpler and easier to set up, as compared to the maguras. also, the hardware (esp the gold colored bolts) seem to be susceptible to stripping at the hex head rather easily. | | Similar Products Used: |
xt levers, avid ultimate levers, xtr v brakes, avid arch supreme brakes | | Bike Setup: |
kona hardtail w/ a z1. use the boosters if you don't want to see your fork or stays flex like al dente pasta. | | Bottom Line: | i've come around from my earlier harangue about this product, to the point where i'm waffling about getting another set for my full suspension bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Fredericksburg
Date Reviewed: April 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bottom Line: | I love 'em! These things were a B***H to set up the first time thanks to what has to be the worst manual ever written but once they are on you don't ever have to touch them. Pad change is a dream, unlike cantis; modulation is excellent, unlike v's. Maybe a little heavy b |
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$ 190.00
