First Look: 2015 Magura MT Next Disc Brakes & eLECT Electronic Suspension

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Welcome to Sedona, Arizona, home of Magura's annual product launch. Sedona is a place where the views are great and the riding is even better.

For 2015, the big story is an entirely new line of disc brakes known as the MT Next Series. Notably, there are two fresh 4-piston brake options.

Magura built off the existing MT series but gave them a full revamp. The levers make use of their super light Carbotecture material.

Jude Monica, the Technical Service Manager of Magura USA, sets up some MT-7 brakes for trail testing.

The MT2 is a new entry level 2-piston brake. Lightweight and solid, it's only $104 per wheel and is the most affordable of the bunch.

Magura USA's National Sales Manager, Tony Ballantine, rallies down some sweet Sedona singletrack with more braking power than before.

At the top end of the spectrum is the $320 MT7 4-piston brake, made for everything from all-mountain to downhill use. The yellow color was inspired by Magura's 1996 Gustav M disc brakes.

This cutaway shows the Carbotecture structure and radial piston layout on the high-end models. The brakes use mineral fluid for easier maintenance.

Tony Baumann, commander of the Specialized demo fleet, made quick work of the local terrain aboard his Magura equipped rig.

The new 4-piston mountain bike disc brakes were inspired by brakes they already make for use in motorsports (right). All pistons are the same size, and the pads are offset to provide even pad wear.

The brakes use 4 magnetic brake pads per caliper. Magura says the heat at the end of a brake pad is always the worst, so by leaving a small gap between them on each side they are able to improve braking performance.

Stephan Pahl flew over from Magura's headquarters in Germany to sample some red dirt. It was nice to see a Product Manager out ripping enthusiastically.

The $370 MT8 brakes are the top end 2-piston model. They feature a Carbotecture blade, tool-free reach and bite point adjustments.

The carbon lever on the MT8 brings the system weight down to 299 grams per wheel, making them the lightest of the bunch.

The transitions from loose dirt to red rock were common and made for some interesting braking situations. The MT7 brakes handled the terrain well, offering loads of modulation and better full-on power.

Also relatively new is Magura's eLECT electronic suspension system, which automatically adjusts to the terrain. If you're going up, it's locked out, but the fork will open up if you hit bumps.

The brass colored piece is a 3D accelerometer used to determine whether the bike is climbing or descending.

With the addition of the eLECT rear shock you can have a bike that fully locks out automatically when pointed up and unlocks when pointed down. It adds just 25 grams to Magura's standard shock.

There's a wireless bluetooth remote for those wanting manual adjustment. Should the system fail or die on the trail, it defaults to the open mode. It lasts 60 hours on a single charge, and enters a sleep mode when stationary.

Magura's unique double arch design does a great job of stiffening their forks up torsionally, and the handling of the TS8 fork was quite impressive.

Fun fact: Many of their forks feature a polyurethane negative spring. This eliminates the risk of leaky chambers and lightens the forks over a traditional coil option.

Blue skies, red rock, deep washes, and epic singletrack over mixed terrain. What more could you ask for? Daryl Roberts having fun on his custom titanium FORM singlespeed hardtail.

The Magura MT Next brake series will be available June 2014. Check out www.magura.com for more details, and stay tuned for our long term ride impressions. Cheers, boys!

Until next time, Sedona...

Magura's MT NEXT generation of hydraulic disc brakes are lighter, more ergonomic and more individual than ever before. They’re designed to be well-suited for steep trails and long runs on your trail, all-mountain, enduro, and downhill bikes. We traveled to Sedona, Arizona to check out the lineup.

Among the highlights of the new line are a tool-free reach adjust lever and an adjustable bite point to enhance the system’s ergonomics and optimize the application of braking power. Magura further developed the tested and tried one-piece brake caliper technology first introduced in 2001, adding more precision and braking efficiency. The magnetiXchange brake pad system also makes pad changes a breeze. All brakes are compatible with all Magura Storm and Storm SL discs.

The new Performance models are said to provide maximum braking power and use proven four-piston technology inspired by motorcycle racing.

MT5 Features

- Ergonomic, 2-finger, aluminum anodized lever (aluminum two-finger brake lever)

- Carbotecture SL housing & handlebar clamp, aluminum cover

- Adjustable lever reach

- All-in-one, 4-piston brake caliper with banjo, polished black anodized

- Weight: 380g

- MSRP: $200 per brake

MT7 Features

- Carbotecture SL brake lever housing and aluminum handlebar clamp, anodized brush-finished aluminum cover

- Ergonomic, 2-finger, hollow aluminum anodized lever (aluminum two-finger brake lever, fluro yellow)

- Toolless adjustment of lever reach and bite point

- Forged, mystic grey, 4-piston brake caliper with banjo, mystic grey anodized

- Weight: 355g

- MSRP: $320 per brake

MT2 Features

- Ergonomic 2-finger Carbotecture brake lever, Carbotecture housing and Carbotecture handlebar clamp

- Adjustable lever reach

- All-in-one, 2-piston brake caliper, glossy black

- All screws with Torx T25

- Weight: 365g

- MSRP: $104 per brake

MT4 Features

- Ergonomic, 2-finger, hollow aluminum anodized lever (aluminum two-finger brake lever)

- Carbotecture housing & handlebar clamp, aluminum cover

- All-in-one, forged, 2-piston brake caliper with banjo, polished black anodized

- All screws with Torx T25

- Weight: 345g

- MSRP: $190 per brake

MT6 Features

- Carbotecture SL housing & aluminum handlebar clamp, aluminum cover

- High-quality, ergonomic and finely-crafted 2-finger brake lever with sportive, classic optics

- Toolless adjustment of lever reach and bite point

- Forged, ergonomic, 2-finger, hollow aluminum anodized lever (aluminum two-finger brake lever)

- 2-piston brake caliper with banjo, polished black anodized

- Weight: 320g

- MSRP: $270 per brake

MT8 Features

- Full-carbon brake lever

- Optimal heat resistance

- Toolless adjustment of lever reach and bite point

- Forged, 2-piston, aluminum brake caliper with banjo, mystic grey anodized

- Weight: 299g

- MSRP: $370 per brake

eLECT Electric Suspension System

Last year Magura introduced the eLECT fork. Now they are introducing the first fully-electric chassis.

Sensitive 3D acceleration sensors perform measurements to find out if the bike is on a downward or upward incline or on a level stretch – then they automatically block the forks and dampers in Auto Ride Mode if required. Even during a jump, the sensors register the sudden altitude loss and open the lockout independently within just 200 milliseconds. This cutting-edge technology can even be adapted to match individual riding styles. Thanks to ANT+ technology, riders who still prefer to operate the fork, damper or overall chassis by button press can also control the eLECT suspension system using the wireless remote control.

The storage battery is unobtrusively within the chassis. It is micro USB-rechargeable and gives riders 40 hours in automatic mode and 60 hours in manual mode, providing long-term biking enjoyment. All fork suspension models built in 2010 and later can be retrofitted with the new eLECT suspension system.

Visit www.magura.com for more details.

Photos by Ian Collins and Magura.

Magura

Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Seatposts

Electronics

Sedona, Arizona

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First Look: 2015 Magura MT Next Disc Brakes & eLECT Electronic Suspension

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