The best mountain bike brakes not only stop you faster but give you much more control on the trail or when flying downhill and with this control comes the confidence to push the limits.
To the uninitiated, choosing the right brakes for your bike can be a daunting prospect. There are many different types of bike braking systems out there, each one with advantages and disadvantages depending on the rider and the type of riding they like to do.
Whilst different brakes might pack a different punch, on a very basic level all brakes work through the conservation of energy principle. The laws of physics tell us that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.
Bike brakes use a form of friction braking where the kinetic energy of the bike is converted into thermal energy.
Before diving into some of the best brakes for mountain bikes let's try to get to grips with what to look for and the sometimes impenetrable terminology that goes hand-in-hand with buying a new brake set.
Understanding Mountain Bike Brakes
For mountain bike riders, the choice typically comes down to using rim brake or disc brake systems.
Rim Brakes
The rim brakes have traditionally been the most popular brakes on mountain bikes since they are effective and, owing to their simplicity, low maintenance. When the rider grabs the brake lever a cable then moves the brake towards the rim of the wheel and the brake pads do the rest.
Although there's a few different styles of rim brakes, v-brakes tend to be the most common for mountain bikers. The pads are easy to replace when worn and they offer good stopping power.
Disc Brakes
The disc brakes have found to become popular over the last decade and for good reason. With disc brakes, instead of using the wheel rim as a braking surface the pads squeeze against a rotor integrated on the wheel. Their increasing adoption on mountain bike frames can be put down to their superior stopping power compared to rim brake systems.
Just like rim brakes, the disc brake is actuated by a lever on the bars which moves the brake pad against the rotor either mechanically with a cable or hydraulically. Hydraulic brakes set use pressure in a fluid-filled reservoir to move the pistons when the lever is pulled. The fluid used in the housing is typically a DOT fluid or a mineral oil and, in general, hydraulic disc brakes offer superior stopping power.
Mechanical
The mechanical disc brakes work in much the same way as traditional rim brakes in that a cable is used to actuate the pistons that then move the brake pads against the rotor. Although these can be used with a standard rim brake lever they can be tricky to set-up properly and can be plagued by pads rubbing on the rotor. This seemingly small issue is not trivial when out on the trails with your mates.
Hydraulic
Hydraulic disc brakes use a sealed unit filled with fluid that uses pressure to actuate the pads against the rotors and with that provide a much more consistent response. The most common problem with disc brake systems is that they can become unresponsive due to trapped air bubble sealed unit. A remedy for this is to bleed the air from the sealed unit but this may require special bleed kids.
Hydraulic fluid must be matched to the brake system used on the bike to compensate for changes in temperature.
Disc Brakes - The New Standard for Mountain Biking
Despite some initial trepidation when first introduced in 1997, the latest trend in brakes for mountain biking has been undeniably towards disc brakes. In terms of stopping a bike, disc brakes are the undisputed champion particularly if you do most of your riding in muddy, wet conditions. There is no escaping from the fact that the performance of rim brakes decreases rapidly in these riding conditions.
The heat generated through aggressive braking has always been a problem for rim brakes. That heat has to go somewhere and it was not uncommon for tires to blowout as a result. The genius of disc brakes is that they move all that heat away from the rim and away from the tire so no more tire blowouts and no more rim wear.
Thanks to the superior power and control, the best mountain bike brakes are undoubtedly disc brakes and thanks to their popularity there are plenty of affordable options out there that still offer the same advantages over more the traditional rim brakes.
Important Features of Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Disc Brake Rotors
Instead of using the rim of the wheel as a braking surface, disc brakes use a rotor. This removes issues with wear on the rim of wheel which can have adverse effects on wheel strength.
Rotors come in different sizes depending on the type of riding from 140 millimeter diameter to 205mm. In general the larger diameter rotors provide more stopping power and are found on downhill mountain bikes. The larger surface area of the rotor are obviously heavier but dissipate heat more effectively.
Brake Fluids
Hydraulic disc brakes use either DOT fluid or mineral oil within the sealed unit to activate the pads. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of these fluids is important but it should also be said that since the type of fluid used is chosen by the brake manufacturer it is not really a choice a rider gets to make.
Since brakes work by converting kinetic energy to heat energy the brake fluids have to resist the high temperatures created during braking.
DOT Fluids
The DOT fluids are the most widely used in hydraulic disc brakes due to its prevalence in the automotive industry.
DOT fluids are a poly-glycol base composed of different substances with four key components; a lubricant, a solvent diluent, a modifier-coupler and inhibitors.
The name comes from the fact that DOT fluids have to meet stringent standards set by the Department of Transportation (DOT) that aim to maintain braking performance across a range of temperatures.
Mineral Oil
The mineral oil brake fluid does not have to conform to any industry standards and since brake manufacturers use propriety mineral oils it can be hard to determine their composition. Needless to say manufacturers, such as Shimano and Magura, closely guard this secret and argue that using mineral oil means that they have full control over the process and therefore the performance of their brakes.
Brake Pads
The brake pads are probably the most important component of the braking system when it comes to staying in control. There is no reason in having the best, most expensive hydraulic brakes to be let down by the pads.
In general, disc pads come in three main types; organic, sintered or semi-metallic.
Organic
The organic pads, commonly referred to as resin pads, typically come fitted as standard on most new mountain bikes. They are non-metallic and are essentially a good all-round pad that will be appropriate for most riders. Because of their composition they tend to wear relatively quickly and at high pad temperatures there is a reduction in the friction profile.
Sintered
Sintered pads, also known as metallic pads, these are the best pads for mountain bikers who like extreme riding. Even when operating under high temperature they provide effective braking and the metallic composition of the pad means that the wear rate is slow.
Semi-metallic
Finally, semi-metallic pads as the name suggests use organic and metallic fillers to bring out the best qualities of each. Of course they also combine the disadvantages of each and are therefore a compromise that may work well for most riders.
The type of pad used in the disc brakes is perhaps defines the braking response more than anything else so getting the right pad for your needs as a rider is essential.
Choosing the Best Mountain Bike Brakes
When looking for the best mountain bike hydraulic brakes there are a few important features to look out for apart from simply raw power.
Modulation
Modulation is just another way of saying control. The better the modulation, the better the control. Low modulation means there is very little room between no braking and locking the wheel. Too much modulation means that your levers will travel all the way without ever locking the wheel. Neither is good. The modulation sweet spot allows the rider to apply braking power easily across the entire range of the brake lever.
Rider Weight
Rider weight is another consideration. The basic laws of inertia means that more power is required to stop a larger mass. Big, heavier riders will need more power typically coupled with a bigger rotor, if using disc brakes, than lighter riders.
Riding Style
The type of riding that you do or plan to do are also a major consideration. For those who spend a lot of time doing downhill, a brake that can handle the temperature increases is a must as is having a rotor that can effectively dissipate the heat.
Reach Adjustment
The brake lever reach adjustment controls how much travel there is in the lever before the bite point is reached. Most modern levers use a 2mm bolt or finger-screw to adjust this to your preference. In some ways the reach adjustment is the most important adjustment for comfort on long descents.
Rotor Size
The rotor size can have a pronounced effect on the overall performance. Put simply, the bigger the rotor diameter, the greater the stopping power.
The 6 Best Mountain Bike Brakes
To help you chose the best MTB brake we have pulled together some excellent choices depending on your budget.
1. Clarks M2 Hydraulic Brake Set
Another outstanding value option from Clarks that, like its predecessor, manages to punch above its weight at an affordable price and is a worthy contender amongst the best mountain bike disc brakes. Useful design features like top loading pads means that you don't need to remove the wheel to replace them and when it does come time to replace the pads then the fact they are compatible with Shimano pads means that you don't have to look far for replacements.
The curved shape of the lever is not the most ergonomic and the pads don't engage entirely with the rotor surface. That said, set-up is easy as no bleeding or cutting is required.
2. SHIMANO Deore M6000
Still firmly in the budget range, the Shimano Deore M6000 brakes provide outstanding value for money. Like most brakes at this price, the rotor has to be bought separately but what you get for your money here is great modulation and, even with the supplied resin pads, excellent stopping power. The resin pads take a few hard stops to fully bed in and then you get decent bite and consistent power.
In wet conditions the pads can be a bit noisy but it is really not a deal breaker.
The compromise with these brakes is the slightly uncomfortable lever although the reach can be easily adjusted on the front of the lever but overall it feels like more quality than you would normally expect at this price.
3. Magura MT5
In common with the Shimano Deore, the lever on the Magura MT5 is on the bulky side and can feel spongey at first. These brakes are very much aimed at trail riders and once you reach the bite point there is a lot of power in these brakes. As long as you don't mind the pads screeching in the rain, then there is barely any fade during heavy use when they get hot. The braking power is outstanding and modulation is easy to control
Even under heavy braking and high thermal loads the brakes are predictable as the bite point remains exactly where it should.
One very useful feature of the Magura MT5's is the incorporated magnetiXchange technology that uses a magnet inside the caliper to make changing pads that little bit easier.
Despite their functional looks, once you get used to the feel of these brakes they offer excellent value for money. The calipers can be matched with 140, 160, 180 and 203mm Magura Storm and Storm SL rotors.
4. SRAM Guide RSC
You get what you pay for with the SRAM Guide RSC hydraulic brakes. These brakes just feel great and for a lot of riders they are worthy winners of the best mountain bike disc brakes.
A lot of that feeling comes from the outstanding modulation and effective bite point adjustment using a wheel in the lever body itself. This means that you can tune the SRAM Guide lever to your bite point preference exactly as well as maintain excellent balance between the left and right lever.
SRAM have put a lot of thought and experience into the SRAM Guide and it is the little things that really make it stand out. The stainless steel "heat shield" inserts help to lower the peak temperature of the body making the the SRAM Guide an excellent choice for dedicated downhill riders.
If you can afford the price tag the SRAM Guide's are without doubt some of the best hydraulic brakes out there for riders that demand the ultimate control in even the most demanding of trails.
5. SRAM XX
The SRAM XX might be expensive but it is without doubt one of the best brakes for a mountain bike despite being super light.
The initial power of the SRAM XX aluminum-backed organic pads is perhaps not the best but on the trails the power builds to compete with the best downhill brakes. However, the magnesium levers offer plenty of fine control using the bite point adjustable carbon lever although there does tend to be a bit of flex in the lever itself. Despite its low weight the SRAM XX does not feel mushy and, as you would expect at this price, it is one of the best MTB stoppers out there.
6. SRAM Code RSC
Occupying the higher price bracket, the SRAM Code RSC hydraulic disc brakes might be the best MTB brakes for heavy riders or those that spend a lot of time dropping down sustained descents. The new SRAM Code is based on the SRAM Guide build but with bigger pistons and a larger fluid reservoir.
As you would expect at this price you get pretty much unrivalled, consistent power and modulation with the supplied sintered pads. The increased volume of the fluid reservoirs helps to compensate for any expansion under sustained braking.
SRAM have created something that ticks a lot of boxes with the SRAM Code even right down to the little details. SRAM have designed the fluid path with fewer corners and therefore fewer pockets for air to gather. All of this means that bleeding the system is convenient and clean.
The integrated point adjustment means that you can position the lever so that your fingers are exactly where you want them when your brakes are engaged. This type of point adjustment offers a really convenient way to customize the feel without fiddling with the pads and mountain biking is all about feel.
If you can afford these brakes then it is hard to argue that these are the best mountain bike disc brakes.
Conclusions
Thanks to the proliferation of hydraulic disc brakes on mountain bikes, there are great options to suit the budget of pretty much every rider.
If we could recommend just one of the above then it is hard to look beyond the SHIMANO Deore M6000's as the best mountain bike brakes. For a very affordable price tag you get outstanding performance.
The lever is compact and provides one-finger stopping in the real world and like the best mountain bike brakes the caliper design allows for top-loading pads that make maintenance easy. The rotor and adapter have to be bought separately but even taking this into consideration Shimano have developed a MTB brake set that competes handsomely with the best mountain bike disc brakes and at the same time does not break the bank.
You could spend more of your hard earned money on something like the SRAM Guide but with the Shimano Deore M6000 why would you want to?