The MTB Disc Brake That Might Beat Your Favorite

Jennifer Miller · 2026-10-22

Maximum stopping power. Perfect modulation. Complete control. Sounds like the dream setup, right? But here's the thing — which disc brake actually delivers when you're three minutes into a white-knuckle descent? And does dropping more cash really buy you better performance? We're about to find out. For the upcoming ENDURO issue #070, we're putting the most exciting MTB disc brakes on the market through their paces. And we need your help to shape the test. ### Power or Control? Why Not Both Raw stopping power alone doesn't make a great brake. Think about it. A brake that grabs hard but feels like an on/off switch will have you fighting for traction on loose corners. What matters is how precisely you can modulate that power. How much finger effort the lever demands. And how consistent the performance stays when things really heat up on long descents — the kind where your rotors are glowing and your hands are cramping. So we're not just riding these brakes on the trails. We're taking them into the test lab, too. Trail feel matters, but data doesn't lie. Combining both gives us a fuller picture of what each brake can actually do. ### Can the Champ Hold the Crown? Here's the fun part. The winner of our last group test is back to defend the title. But the competition hasn't been sitting still — brands have stepped up their game and raised the bar. Will the reigning champion keep the crown, or is it time for a new name at the top? You'll find out in issue #070. ### Your Turn to Shape the Test Now here's where you come in. Which MTB brakes have impressed you out on the trail? What matters most when you're picking a brake? And what does a brake need to deliver to earn the title of best on the market? Your opinion genuinely matters. By taking part in our survey, you 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 you're riding. Here's what we're asking riders to weigh in on: - How much lever effort you're willing to tolerate on a long descent - Whether consistent bite point or all-out power matters more to you - How much you'd realistically spend on a set of brakes - Which brands have earned your trust — and which ones lost it > "A brake you can trust is worth more than a brake that just looks good on paper. Your feedback is what tells us which is which." So take the survey. Tell us what you ride, how you ride, and what you expect from your brakes. It only takes a few minutes, and it directly shapes how we test and what we report back to you. Thanks for your support. We couldn't do this without you. See you soon, Your ENDURO test crew