The MTB Disc Brake Everyone's Arguing About Right Now

Jennifer Miller · 2026-10-22

Maximum stopping power, perfect modulation, complete control. Sounds like the dream MTB brake, right? But here's the thing: which disc brake actually delivers when you're halfway down a chunky descent and your fingers are screaming? And does dropping more cash on a set of brakes really buy you better performance? We're about to find out. And honestly, we need your help to get it right. For the upcoming ENDURO issue #070, we're putting the most exciting MTB disc brakes on the market through their paces. But this isn't just our test. We want you in the room. Take part in our survey and help shape the big group test by telling us what actually matters to you when it comes to braking performance. ### Maximum Power or Maximum Control? Why Not Both Here's something a lot of riders learn the hard way: raw stopping power alone doesn't make a great brake. A brake that grabs hard but feels like an on/off switch will have you fighting for traction on loose corners. Not fun. The real questions are the ones that matter on the trail: - How precisely can you modulate that power through the lever stroke? - How much finger effort does the lever actually require on a long, steep descent? - And how consistent is the performance when things really heat up after a few thousand feet of vertical? To answer those, we're not just riding these brakes on the trails. As part of this group test, we're also taking them into the test lab. Real-world feel meets hard numbers. That's how you separate the marketing claims from the actual performance. ### Who Will Take the Win? Can the winner of our last group test defend its title? Or has the competition stepped up and raised the bar? Brake tech has moved fast lately, and there are some serious contenders in the mix this time around. We'll reveal everything in our big MTB brake group test in ENDURO issue #070. But the results are only half the story. ### Now It's Your Turn: Help Shape Our Big Brake Group Test Which MTB brakes have impressed you out on your local trails? What matters most when you're choosing a set? And what does a brake need to deliver to earn the title of best on the market? > Your opinion matters. By taking part in our survey, you'll help us bring the MTB community's perspective into our group test. Because beyond lab results and our own testing experience, we want to know what really matters to you when the trail gets steep and loose. Maybe you care most about lever feel. Maybe it's heat management on long alpine descents. Or maybe it's simply how easy a brake is to bleed and maintain in your garage on a Sunday afternoon. All of it counts. So take the survey, tell us what you think, and help us build a test that reflects real riders, not just test rigs. We'll see you in issue #070. Thanks for your support. Ride hard, brake later. Your ENDURO test crew