I've got about 20 outings on my Cura brakes thus far, after coming off 2 sets of failed Magura brakes (Mt7 and Trail Sport)...and Guide Ultimates on 2 previous bikes.
Overall I think the Cura are a tremendous value...I give them a 7 or 8 out of 10. Power is equivalent to Guides. Not quite enough to lockup the front wheel, but close. Good feel and modulation, but not quite as good as Guide. And they will not fade! I took them down a scary-steep decent that were too much for my Guides, causing serious fade and scary loss of power. But the Cura didn't exhibit any fade or loss of power.
Where the Cura fall short for me is the pad-to-rotor clearance. I've gone through a couple sets of rotors, and spent more time truing than I care to admit. But it's been no use...inevitable I get a little rubbing/ticking sound...not enough to rob any power, but just enough to annoy me.
8/19 Edit: third time is a charm...I'm onto my 3rd front rotor in as many months and I finally have one that's true enough to avoid any rubbing/"ticking" sound. I'm much happier at the moment. Still, despite the class-leading power (for 2-piston), periodically on really steep descents requiring a lot of braking, I'm wishing for more power in the front.
9/7 edit - I put a 4-piston Cura on the front, which had ample pad-rotor clearance. Subsequently, I worked and balanced out the pistons on the rear 2-piston caliper and was left with ample pad clearance...akin to Guides...at the expense of a little longer dead lever throw. I'm now extremely happy with these brakes and love the mis-match setup. Pretty much perfect... I only wish they had a crosshair type alignment system like Hayes (all brake companies would be wise to follow suit on that!).
Overall I think the Cura are a tremendous value...I give them a 7 or 8 out of 10. Power is equivalent to Guides. Not quite enough to lockup the front wheel, but close. Good feel and modulation, but not quite as good as Guide. And they will not fade! I took them down a scary-steep decent that were too much for my Guides, causing serious fade and scary loss of power. But the Cura didn't exhibit any fade or loss of power.
Where the Cura fall short for me is the pad-to-rotor clearance. I've gone through a couple sets of rotors, and spent more time truing than I care to admit. But it's been no use...inevitable I get a little rubbing/ticking sound...not enough to rob any power, but just enough to annoy me.
8/19 Edit: third time is a charm...I'm onto my 3rd front rotor in as many months and I finally have one that's true enough to avoid any rubbing/"ticking" sound. I'm much happier at the moment. Still, despite the class-leading power (for 2-piston), periodically on really steep descents requiring a lot of braking, I'm wishing for more power in the front.
9/7 edit - I put a 4-piston Cura on the front, which had ample pad-rotor clearance. Subsequently, I worked and balanced out the pistons on the rear 2-piston caliper and was left with ample pad clearance...akin to Guides...at the expense of a little longer dead lever throw. I'm now extremely happy with these brakes and love the mis-match setup. Pretty much perfect... I only wish they had a crosshair type alignment system like Hayes (all brake companies would be wise to follow suit on that!).
