The MTB Brake Test That Could Change What You Ride

James Moore · 2026-10-22

Maximum stopping power. Perfect modulation. Complete control. Sounds like the ideal MTB brake, right? But here's the thing — every brake company promises that. The real question is which disc brake actually delivers when you're three minutes into a steep, loose descent and your fingers are screaming. We want to find out. And honestly, we can't do it without you. For the upcoming issue #070, we're rounding up the most exciting MTB disc brakes on the market and putting them through a proper group test. But before we do, we need to hear from the people who actually ride these things. That's you. ### Maximum Power or Maximum Control? Why Not Both Here's what we've learned after years of testing: raw stopping power alone doesn't make a great brake. A brake that grabs hard but gives you zero feel is basically a light switch. Not helpful on a technical trail. So what actually matters? A few things: - How precisely can you modulate that power? Can you feather it on a wet root, or does it just bite? - How much finger effort does the lever demand? Your hands shouldn't be wrecked after a long descent. - How consistent is performance when things heat up? Fade on a long, steep chute is a real safety issue, not just an annoyance. To get real answers, we're not just riding these brakes on the trails. We're taking them into the test lab too. Bench testing, heat cycles, the whole thing. Because trail feel and lab data together tell a much fuller story than either one alone. ### Who Will Take the Win? Can the winner of our last group test defend the title? Or has the competition finally stepped up and raised the bar? That's the fun part — we genuinely don't know yet. What we do know is that the gap between budget and premium brakes is narrower than it's ever been, and spending more doesn't automatically buy you better performance. ### Now It's Your Turn Which MTB brakes have impressed you? What matters most when you're choosing a brake? And what does a brake actually need to deliver to earn the title of best on the market? > "Beyond lab results and our own testing experience, we want to know what really matters to you out on the trail." Your opinion genuinely shapes this test. By taking part in our survey, you help bring the MTB community's perspective into the group test — not just the numbers from a lab bench. Maybe you've got a brake that's been flawless for three seasons. Maybe you've got one that faded on the first big descent. Either way, we want to hear it. So take a few minutes, share your take, and help us build a group test that reflects how people actually ride. Your input matters more than you might think. Thanks for the support. See you out there. — Your test crew