Shimano XTR M9020 Disc Brake

(discontinued)

XTR for All Mountain and Enduro Riding M9020

The new XTR Trail M9020 brakes are billed as Shimano's higher end enduro/trail rated brake. The M9020s now have servo wave technology with a shorter lever throw, better modulation, and improved ergonomics. Do these improvements make them a good choice for enduro and trail riding? Well, yes and no.

Installation and maintenance:

Shimano brakes have always been easy to install and maintain. The XTR Trail M9020s are no exception. Installation is straight forward. The rear calipers come with their own light weight bolts; however, the front calipers use normal Shimano mounting bolts. Bleeding is straightforward with the use of Shimano's bleed kit. They can easily be bled from the top or top and bottom. The use of mineral oil is environmentally and bike friendly. I haven't had to bleed the front brake since installation. I've bleed the rear twice to attempt to get some better modulation and a firmer feel in the level. No success in improving the modulation and firmness, but no air in the system either. Pad changes are quick and simple.The J04C metallic pads with fins over the best stopping power and longevity.

Performance:

These brakes are a great choice for someone looking for a balance of light weight and good performance in most "light" enduro and trail riding conditions. They will even take a little bike park abuse. Notice I said "light enduro" and a "little bike park abuse". While these are great brakes, they aren't on par with Saints for lever feel and sheer stopping power. Front lever modulation, firmness and stopping power is better compared to the rear. Two factors are in play here. First, overall lever firmness is limited by the lightweight design of the lever housing. There is noticeable flex in the entire housing. This is most evident under heavy braking or in rough conditions. Second fluid volume is limited by the small size of the reservoirs, calipers, and brake lines. The rear lever has a much softer feel and less modulation. More fluid volume and stiffer lines would most likely improve both modulation and stopping power. The good thing here is you should be using more front brake anyways and the rear still have enough power to slow you down and help brake the rear end loose as needed/wanted.

All in all, the overall performance of the new XTR Trail brakes is better than Shimano's newer XT M8000 brakes and a great choice for someone looking for weight savings over sheer stopping power. Combine them with a good set of 203mm or 180mm Icetec rotors and your set with a great set of stoppers.