Saint/Zee vs. Magura MT7/MT5 : mini review

Spotted this while surfing the intrawebz for bike porn.

http://www.huckingkitty.com/node/9

i have only 1 set of magura mt7's, but they still feel perfect after a full season of use. i have guide's and zee's on other bikes, and the mt7's have the nicest lever feel, best modulation, most power, and least fade. every time i use that bike i get a bit of a brake boner.

i have only 1 set of magura mt7's, but they still feel perfect after a full season of use. i have guide's and zee's on other bikes, and the mt7's have the nicest lever feel, best modulation, most power, and least fade. every time i use that bike i get a bit of a brake boner.

The pads definitely wear faster than Shimano Saints (an observation, not a complaint); still the best brakes I've used.

Excited for the new closer-reach levers to come available.

The pads definitely wear faster than Shimano Saints (an observation, not a complaint); still the best brakes I've used.

Excited for the new closer-reach levers to come available.

I would need those!

What is the best option for bleed kit? I need to balance mine. I let a touch of flip out of the one side when I shortened the line.

Are you guys all running the 4 pads per caliper or 2? Organic or sintered (even available?)

What is the best option for bleed kit? I need to balance mine. I let a touch of flip out of the one side when I shortened the line.

Best buy the actual bleed kit. You need the fitting for the caliper side. For the lever side, any open syringe that fits in the bleed port should work.

I would need those!

Great improvement for the MT7/8 brakes. Otherwise, buy the MT5s and be done with it.

Are you guys all running the 4 pads per caliper or 2? Organic or sintered (even available?)

I found the 4 pads wore fairly quickly compared to the 2 solid pads. I also prefer the feel of the sintered pads.

A bleed tip for those wanting a solid, close reach feel at the lever: use 2-3 business cards between the pads when bleeding the brakes. Once the brakes are bled and the pads firmly clamped down on the business cards, the lever throw will be just right once you spread the pads out after closing the system.

Welp I bit the bullet and bought a set of MT5's. 203/180 rotors. Pretty stoked on how they look in the box, big levers for my big hands look promising.

to those concerned with the levers: some people over here use them with shimano levers and claim even more power compaired to the stock levers

http://www.mtb-news.de/forum/t/magura-mt7-mit-shimano-xtr-trail-hebeln.751103/

Drew says not to use the servo wave levers though. Use the race XTR and your gold.

Shortened and installed my brakes today. Holy hell was that ever easy, kudos to Magura so far.

To Drew and Oldfart….

Was hoping to find our more info about the shi-gura's…The idea of xtr levers with mt7 calipers sounds like the best of both worlds.. Have either of you guys tried it? Or know of other places to read about those that have tried it(i dont speak German so that site doesnt really help).. Why use non servo wave vs servo wave?

My concern with just going 9020 xtr is pumpup, so thinking the combo of xtr brakes with magura calipers will fix that..

im really stoked at this idea of mixing the two…

The new build is going to be a franken-bike for sure.. 29er remedy with 27.5 wide rimmed with + tires.. di2 with xo1 cassette… 9point8 dropper… Onyx sprage hubs… So why not do a mix and match brake system too… :pizza:

Quick update on the MT5 and MT7 brakes I've been running on my bikes.

I'm using the solid (one piece - two pads total) pads on the rear now (stock on MT5). As Ken mentioned I'm finding more consistent wear and they are easier to align/setup. No notable loss of feel/performance on the rear.

Up front I'm using the separate pads (two piece - four pads total) and I definitely perceive a difference in control when feathering the brakes compared to the one piece units.

Have bled both brake sets (seemed time) but no performance issues to point to from new.

Have the MT7's
Love them with the performance pads
The endurance pads for longer life- not so happy.
Feel way weak in braking power . Didn't think the difference would be so substantial.