The Best MTB Disc Brake Isn't Obvious, and We're Testing It

Jennifer Miller · 2026-10-22

Maximum stopping power, perfect modulation, complete control. Sounds like the ideal MTB brake, right? But which disc brake actually delivers out on the trail? And does spending more really mean getting better performance? We want to find out, and we need your input. For the upcoming ENDURO issue #070, we're putting the most exciting MTB disc brakes on the market to the test. Take part in our survey and help shape our big group test by telling us what truly matters to you when it comes to braking performance. ### Maximum Power or Maximum Control? Why Not Both Maximum stopping power alone doesn't make a great brake. Think about it. A brake that grabs hard but gives you no feel is a brake that puts you on the ground. 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. Those three factors, feel, effort, and consistency, are where good brakes separate from great ones. And they're exactly what we plan to measure. To find out, we're not just putting the brakes through their paces on the trails. As part of this group test, we'll also be taking them into the test lab. Real-world trail time plus hard data. That combination is how you get answers you can actually trust. ### Who Will Take the Win? Can the winner of our last group test defend their title? Or has the competition stepped up its game and raised the bar? There's no shortage of new contenders this year, and a few of them have been making some bold claims. Find out in our big MTB brake group test in ENDURO issue #070. ### Now It's Your Turn Here's where we need you. Which MTB brakes have impressed you? What matters most to you? 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 out on the trail. A few things riders keep telling us they care about: - Consistent bite point, even after a long, hot descent - Lever feel that stays predictable when your hands get tired - Modulation you can trust in tight, technical sections - Easy bleeding and straightforward maintenance - Pad availability and long-term cost of ownership Notice that raw power barely comes up. That's telling. Most riders don't need more stopping force. They need control they can count on when the trail gets steep and loose. > "A brake you have to think about is a brake that's already failed you. The best ones disappear under your fingers." That's the standard we're testing against. Not just peak numbers on a spec sheet, but how a brake behaves when you're tired, the trail is loose, and you need it to work exactly the same way it did on the first run. So whether you're racing enduro, riding park laps, or just chasing clean lines on your local trails, your perspective shapes this test. Take the survey, tell us what you ride and what you expect from your brakes, and help us crown the best disc brake on the market right now. Thanks for your support. See you soon. Your ENDURO test crew