Magura USA MT Trail Carbon Disc Brake Set Review

Magura USA brakes have been synonymous with confident stopping since the dawn of mountain bikes, and its MT Trail Carbon Disc Brake Set proves that the company is still at the pointy end of the industry. Super light Carbotecture SL brake lever housing accompanied by carbon fiber levers and bar clamps promise to add burly stopping power in a package that will more than appease those most gram-conscious among us. The MT Trail mixes a four-piston front caliper with a two-piston rear caliper to provide an ideal blend of high braking power and low weight to confidently conquer burly trail systems.The Carbotecture SL brake body uses a composite reservoir body to shave precious grams over even the lightest alloy assemblies, while an ergonomic carbon fiber lever keeps you in control at a feathery weight. It employs tool-free adjusters for lever throw and bite point, which takes the guesswork out of getting a perfect brake setup. Naturally, like the rest of the brake, it’s guaranteed for a full five years against seal issues, which means that next time you pull on the lever, you can do so with full confidence.The real story here, however, is the forged carbolay caliper. The design borrows heavily from Magura’s legendary motocross brakes and utilizes four pistons up front and two in the rear, resulting in plenty of power while minimizing weight. As an added touch, top-loading brake ads make for super-fast pad swaps when the time comes. The whole system runs on Magura hydraulic brake oil–a proprietary blend that’s highly resistant to overheating, as well as being more user-friendly than the DOT fluids found in most other brakes.