DISC BRAKES
A good set of brakes is crucial for your confidence and ability to go fast. They’re not only vital for regulating speed, but can also be used to add grip at critical moments. Disc brakes became commonplace on mountain bikes in the 2000s, offering greater stopping power, better modulation (control over that power) and more consistent performance than the rim brakes they superseded. Mechanical (cable-operated) disc brakes are available, but most MTBs use more efficient hydraulic disc brakes, like those on test.
The way they work is simple. Squeezing the lever pushes hydraulic fluid from a reservoir on the bar clamp through a master cylinder, down a hydraulic hose and into a calliper. Here, it pushes either two or four pistons, which in turn push a pair of brake pads onto a rotor bolted to the wheel hub. Release the lever and the piston seals return to their natural shape, pulling the pistons away from the disc.
Sounds straightforward, so why’s there such a huge spread of prices? Manufacturing techniques, adjustability, power and materials all play a part. We’ve focused on brakes that’ll suit a burly trail bike, but in many cases they could handle some enduro or even downhill use, too. Riders looking to save weight may prefer the features and feel of the two-piston rather than four-piston brakes on test.
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