Magura Matra SL vs. Formula K24 vs. Formula K18 - what's the difference?

The K24's and K18's are great...but I think they are discontinued!
If you can get them on a close-out deal I'd buy them. Pads should still be available!
The Maguras are pretty pricey! :thumbsup:

German made vs. Italian made...

Do you like Porsche, Audi, BMW

OR

Do you like Ferrari, Lamborghini...

Marta SL brakes are better in every way.

ambassadorhawg said:

German made vs. Italian made...

Do you like Porsche, Audi, BMW

OR

Do you like a Ferrari, Lamborghini...

Marta SL brakes are better in every way.

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If you can afford a Ferrari or a Lamborghini and their over priced and hard to get parts...then great! :eekster:

Both brakes are very good...if the OP can find a great deal on either then he'll be happy :thumbsup:

edit: mtbr brake reviews:

Mugura SL ...... 38 .... 4.37

Formula K24 .... 64 .... 4.78

The Magura's get air in them and need to be re-bled often, the Formula's never have to be re-bled and perform flawlessly. I have had 2 sets of each. The Formula's are Way lower maintenance.

hrdude said:

The Magura's get air in them and need to be re-bled often, the Formula's never have to be re-bled and perform flawlessly. I have had 2 sets of each. The Formula's are Way lower maintenance.

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That can happen to any brake! Are you implying that Formula brakes NEVER need a rebleed?

And by the way, my Marta SLs do not "get air in them". They do stop my bike very, very ,very, very well though.

Glad to hear the Marta's are working for you. Obviously, others have also had good luck with them. I've owned 2 bikes with Marta's and 2 bikes with K24's. The Marta's Regularly became spongy and needed to be re-bled. The K24's were both set and forget. 2 riding bro's also had the same issue with the Marta's as I did. We go back and forth from sea level to altitude rides and the Marta's didn't cut it. I have no interest in either brand, just my multiple experiences.

I have had both Martas and Louises for the past four years. Never had any problems with either. No air in the lines. Just a bit of regular maintenance. Ride mostly at sea level, but make it up to 7,000 feet at least once a month. Never a problem going back and forth. FWIW, my buddies have had good luck with their Formulas. My friend with Hopes has not been so lucky - he is constantly tinkering with them and cannot seem to dial them in.

I appreciate the responses so far! Curious - what other brakes out there are high quality and reasonably light? Is it possible that the new Shimano line is worth a try?

single speed kid said:

I appreciate the responses so far! Curious - what other brakes out there are high quality and reasonably light? Is it possible that the new Shimano line is worth a try?

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Are you looking for "weight weenie" light brakes? If so, you're not gonna get as much power out of them as something like the Shimano XT brake which is middle of the road in the weight class, yet extremely powerful and reliable. It's really all a matter of opinion, I guess. What I liked about Magura Marta SLs before I knew anything about them was how solid the calipers look. They are not small, tiny little things like Formula R1s or Shimano XTRs. BUT...they are very much so at the light weight end of the spectrum and they have a good power compared to XTRs from what I read on this forum. I would avoid anyhting from Avid, but that's just my experience...

Yes, I have heard that the XT's are a dependable brake system! I will look at the reviews on them. The new design Shimano is using is something quite new for them - guess I'll have to read up.

single speed kid said:

Yes, I have heard that the XT's are a dependable brake system! I will look at the reviews on them. The new design Shimano is using is something quite new for them - guess I'll have to read up.

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Shimano brakes from the 7 series up (as in XTR M970's) are excellent. I have had Magura's, Formulas, Hayes, Avids and Shimanos and would buy Shimano brakes right now if I was spending my own money...

hrdude said:

The Magura's get air in them and need to be re-bled often, the Formula's never have to be re-bled and perform flawlessly. I have had 2 sets of each. The Formula's are Way lower maintenance.

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Bzzzt....wrong! My Magura Marta SL have not been bled in almost 3 years, 2400 trail miles and five sets of 5.2 Endurance pads later.

hrdude said:

The Magura's get air in them and need to be re-bled often, the Formula's never have to be re-bled and perform flawlessly. I have had 2 sets of each. The Formula's are Way lower maintenance.

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Perhaps you had the old Marta SL's - I can confirm that, but the current generation since 2009 no problem whatsoever ! With Storm SL's, best brakes ever.

I had Formula Oro K24's too. After long descents, there was always oil squeezing out inbetween lever clamp and handlebar. Apparently, there is an escape port on the lower lever clamp, controlled by a diaphragm. Whenever oil pressure is too high, oil goes out through the port. I can tell you : DOT 4 oil is very aggressive. The finish of my carbon handlebar was completely eaten away when removing the brakes. Same for a friend of mine's K24's. They revised the diaphragm if I remember correct.