Posts
89
Joined
8/4/2009
Location
Golden, CO
US
Edited Date/Time
6/6/2022 11:08am
I didn't want it to end this way, but this is the way it happened. I'm picky about my brakes, and I've been searching for a good setup for a while. I liked the Codes just fine, but there is a lot of lever throw for my preference. I've been able to shorten the throw of the brakes, but it would inevitably reset back to normal after a few rides. I wanted more power and shorter throw. I'd heard of Magura's performance for a few years, and decided to try the MT7's. The power was awesome. Lever throw was good enough for me, and I was happy for a few years. Despite good performance, I never liked the lever though, seemed like it was bolted on with wood screws and the pad contact adjust was basically worthless to me. But it worked, with great power and no hiccups.
Then earlier this year one of my levers just lots a ton of fluid, the bladder went bad. I tried to get parts for it, but nothing was available, and I was stuck looking for a whole replacement lever. I'd heard of someone putting Shimano levers on Magura's, and I looked into it a bit, a friend from the area recommended it, and so I went for it. I couldn't even get SLX or XT levers due to the earlier mentioned Covid parts difficulty. So why not try something new with the most expensive option? Sigh. I got the 9120 version of the XTR lever as it says it is made for four pistons and has more power, and a few new features like the bar brace that I thought made sense.
I cut the Magura line at the lever, put those levers in a box. I used Shimano olives and barbs and the Shimano threaded nut that goes over the hose. Everything went together and seemed to fit right. I bled the system and it worked. I was hoping this was the case, but it still surprised me. Then I rode it, and HOLY COW the power. The brakes are even more powerful than before, and the throw is the shortest I've ever used. They don't even drag, I'm kinda stunned, but also happy. I love how they work. And the Shimano lever seems about 1000 times higher quality too.
If anyone else is interested, it worked just fine for me, and I'm sure it isn't recommended by anyone officially, but boy does it work well out on the trails. So much so that I downsized rotors, which I've never done before.
Then earlier this year one of my levers just lots a ton of fluid, the bladder went bad. I tried to get parts for it, but nothing was available, and I was stuck looking for a whole replacement lever. I'd heard of someone putting Shimano levers on Magura's, and I looked into it a bit, a friend from the area recommended it, and so I went for it. I couldn't even get SLX or XT levers due to the earlier mentioned Covid parts difficulty. So why not try something new with the most expensive option? Sigh. I got the 9120 version of the XTR lever as it says it is made for four pistons and has more power, and a few new features like the bar brace that I thought made sense.
I cut the Magura line at the lever, put those levers in a box. I used Shimano olives and barbs and the Shimano threaded nut that goes over the hose. Everything went together and seemed to fit right. I bled the system and it worked. I was hoping this was the case, but it still surprised me. Then I rode it, and HOLY COW the power. The brakes are even more powerful than before, and the throw is the shortest I've ever used. They don't even drag, I'm kinda stunned, but also happy. I love how they work. And the Shimano lever seems about 1000 times higher quality too.
If anyone else is interested, it worked just fine for me, and I'm sure it isn't recommended by anyone officially, but boy does it work well out on the trails. So much so that I downsized rotors, which I've never done before.
"I had only old rotors that were 180 sized, so since I downsized rotors it was all I had for the rear of the bike. I got a 200 front to match so it didn’t look weird with a centerline and G3 or whatever it is. 200 front 180 rear is just fine with my mullet setup."
I have a similar setup MT7+XTR setup and also an MT5+XT both setup with Goodridge hoses. (I also ran MT5+SLX for a while but messed the bladder up with vacuum bleeding). The MT7 is paired with 220mm rotors and 27,5x4,5" tires on an all season fatbike, the MT5 has 200mm rotors and 29x2,35" tires on an enduro bike. Both brakes are great, never lost grip on sand, mud, snow, steep and loose due to the lack of modulation.
I had a Sram Guide RSC in the past and liked its modulation but wanted more power.
I mentioned the Cure above, I had those on a winter time hardtail. Needed a whole ride to get used to them but after that there was no problem in slippery conditions either.
I had the MT7 with HC3 levers then (never tried the stock levers) and liked them very much.
When I needed another brake I wanted to try the Shigura combo so I bought az MT5 set and a pair of SLX levers. They felt so great that I also swapped the lever on the MT7. I think the most notable difference is the servo-wave action besides the lever ergonomics (shape and size) which makes them so great.
To sum it up I think you can get used to a broad range of modulation (lever pull/piston advance ratio) without noticing. Yes the first time might be weird if you were on a very different setup but that's all.
(I also had an older 7xx XT brake set so I think I know your pain ;-) )
I ran the same setup for a while (but with Magura rotors) and I also had no issues. They seemed to go through brake pads fast, that was my only complaint. Loved the huge amount of power. They were super short throw at the lever but I still felt like they had good modulation, it was just over a really small window. Once you got used to them it was great. I kept the big rotors, but I tried the lower friction "comfort" blue pads towards the end for even more modulation and to see if the pads would last longer. I might put them back on to try again, but I've been pretty happy with my TRP DH-R EVOs.
That said I've used pins and olives from both with no issues. Don't forget the rubber nut covers!
EDIT you can sell the leaky levers on eBay for good money as ham fisted people strip the expense bleed screws.
https://www.mtb-news.de/forum/t/magura-mt7-mit-shimano-xtr-trail-hebeln…
https://www.putoline.com/de/produktkatalog/product/371/hpx-r-25w/1735/
it has thinner viscosity than shimano mineral oil
Signed - DH with cantilevers
Once tried them I could never go back or like something else. Not the same opinion from my wallet tho.
The only downside of trickstuff (apart from the 15month wait) is that all other brakes are shit afterwards. Really shit. I was lucky to get a used pair and they stop like nothing else with more power you can dream of, loads of modulation and almost no lever throw. Less than half lever travel of other brakes. Maybe 5mm.
All the parts are cheap, fully rebuildable etc
The Shimano master (9120) has a great lever shape for me and mated the the Magura MT calliper it gives super power.
The Magura master is really nice but it is susceptible to some simple user caused damage, especially if the system is overfilled (caused by bleeding without a bleed block - DO NOT be lazy and bleed with the pads in). The main bladder in the master can fail in a crash (but this is rare) but most commonly it is caused when the pads are reset, hence the importance of not overfilling. I always cracked open the EBT screw (bleed port) when I was reseting my pads.
The other 2 common mistakes are over torquing the EBT screw and sleeve nut which can cause the master to leak as well.
Ultimately I would really love to get a trickstuff setup but I just cannot be bothered to wait nearly 2 years.
Post a reply to: Shimano... Magura... Shigura Brake Setup