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I've had decent luck provided I do a couple rounds of sanding the rotor with fine grit sandpaper followed by rinsing with isopropyl alcohol.
From an engineering side, a lot. The particulate that gets embedded in the rotors during burnish/bed in between different pad compounds is different in size, resulting in a decrease in friction between the pads and rotor and a weaker brake. I've seen dyno tests proving that.
From a functional side, I've swapped pad compounds on the same rotors on my road-ish bike. Was there a decrease in pucker power? First set, not really, 4th set yes. After I accounted for all mea culpas I could, I swapped to fresh rotors and the brake power well improved. My hunch is that this was due to now 3 different compounds having been bedded into the old rotors (last set of pads were bought outta necessity so I took the available option).
So in absolute terms, can you? Yes. Should you? That's a personal value call but recognize you lose your right to gripe about the brakes not being strong enough should you go that route. Personally, I think rotors are priced well enough that there really isn't much of a reason to not have dedicated semi and sintered sets should you want to experiment.
I finally got the mavens mounted and went for a ride today. Figured I'd share my experience as everyone here's been pretty helpful.
I got a pair of the older Maven Silver on Pinkbike
Holy shit these things are amazing!
I've been a bit on the fence but finally decided to pull the. Been using Hayes dominions for the last 1-2 years and they're great but the Mavens just feel like a completely other level of control and power.
In the past I've also used TRP dhr and before that code rsc.
I'm only one ride in on these but so far no issues. I felt like they were pretty intuitive to get used to.
For more context, I'm about 165 and ride a V2 sentinel. I live in Seattle and ride mostly off the i90 corridor here. Our trails are decently steep and I do some Enduro racing.
So many reviews had me a bit nervous about the power being too much, which tbh I wanted to experience. They're definitely way stronger than any other brake I've tried but definitely felt manageable.
I'm also running 200mm Hs2 rotors front and rear.
They came with the organic pads and I figured I might as well use em but will probably switch to metallic when I wear these out. Curious how long that might be.
Anyhow, put me in the Maven camp and let me know if you have any questions!
I've honestly been pretty thrilled with my Hope Evo GR4 brakes. Paired with the Galfer ebike pads and TRP RS05E 2.3mm rotors and offer tons of stopping power and lots of modulation. I'm about 205-210lb geared up and they have no problem stopping my fat ass on my ebike. Once I get my dh bike back together I'm gonna pair the new Lewis AX lever with the maven caliper and see if that offers a little more stopping power. Don't see a reason to go back to the stock maven lever at this point, maybe they'd be improved with that new swing link upgrade. Really the only brake left on my 'to test' list is the Radic Kaha but these hopes and Intend trinity's are my favorites to date.
Little off topic but curious regarding the suspensions
Intend shock but not the fork?
I also have the flash 38 but it’s being tested by a media company right now so I have a loaner zeb. Intend doesn’t care to send media samples for testing so I loaned my own for testing.
That's pretty generous. Respect.
Oooooh I hope this media company is uh, one that we know pretty well that used to have a sassy blog!
It's not, but I'd happily be tester #2 if @jonathanheierle is feeling extra generous.
I respect the hell out of Cornelius for not supplying free forks to media outlets, because it's his business and he can do whatever he wants. But on the other hand, it puts media outlets in a bind because damn we can't be dropping $2000 on a review item. I think it's super cool that @jonathanheierle is stepping up to be the middle man and make a test like that happen, out of his own pocket!
perhaps not the last word in this yet.. testpilot shows a picture of an intend fork along the others in their fork field test main article and then it was taken off the individual tests.. may be Intend asked not to be benchmarked, regardless of how the fork gets in the hands of the testers..
https://www.testpilot.bike/magazin/mtb-170-mm-federgabel-vergleichstest
.
why not? you pretty much could get items at cost, ride them and sell them to your readers after the test and don’t lose money. the same way shop rats used to ride a new bike per season for free
testpilot gets paid to do those tests by the manufacturers, that’s their business case
One potential point is it could be very complicated for tax reasons. Then there's the hassle of it. They're in the business of testing and making content, not selling gear.
who knows what is the scenario.... some individuals have compared trinities against other brakes.. hope more Intend stuff is tested
then put it behind a paywall, if escape collective can make it work for the endurance crowd, then there should be space for a paywalled gravity site too
those forks above this post cost 7-9k at cost. make it a series, ask for 10$ for the test and you‘d need less then 1000 ppl to break even
Do most manufacturers not normally provide review units as a loaner?
I assumed that most non-consumable products like frames and suspension were eventually returned to the manufacturer.
It totally depends, company to company and product to product. For me, I have not been asked to return anything I've tested so far, but I also haven't sold any of it either. For most of the products I've tested, they've been handy for comparison tests against other similar products, especially because most of what I've tested (all, maybe?) has been suspension, brakes, or drivetrain. Makes apples to apples comparisons easier, and as a bonus for the companies who provided the product, they get a second helping of exposure when their product shows up a second time in a review for a completely different product (i.e. MRP Noken and Lift showing up in a Fox Podium review, the Fox Podium showing up in a Push Nine One review, etc).
I think with complete bikes it's much, much more common for the companies to treat the review bikes as a loaner. But not always.
For most companies, what are they going to do with a used product? Sell it on Facebook Marketplace? If it's a complete bike, maybe, but to make $500 from a used Zeb Ultimate that I tested, Rockshox is not even going to bother. It's a rounding error.
Intend is direct to consumer. They aren't cutting fat discounts for anyone.
Getting an intend fork at "cost" is MSRP, or a small discount if Intend feels inclined.
News from Magura just dropped:
MAGURA LOUISE ELITE: Highest Performance, also pricewise.
The LOUISE ELITE has been available on complete bikes since summer 2025 – now the individual brakes are also available to end customers in specialist shops. Registered dealers can order the LOUISE ELITE as usual from MAGURA Bosch Parts & Services on the myMBPS portal.
Reliable 4-piston power for a wide range of applications – with ABS compatibility, EASY LINK technology, and proven MAGURA performance.
With the new LOUISE ELITE 2025, MAGURA is making a strong statement for all-round braking performance. Inspired by the classic from the 2000s, the new generation has been completely redeveloped – with the goal of making maximum braking power and modern technology accessible to a broad target group. The LOUISE ELITE is aimed at demanding everyday riders as well as (e-)mountain bikers, positioning itself as a powerful and reliable 4-piston brake with excellent value for money.
For EVERYONE who always wants to rely on their brake.
Whether in city traffic or on demanding trails: the LOUISE ELITE delivers uncompromising braking performance with high heat resistance and braking power. MAGURA uses one-piece forged 4-piston calipers made of aluminum in combination with 2.0 mm thick brake rotors. The stiff system converts every ounce of hand force directly into braking power. Additionally, the one-piece caliper design is particularly resistant to leakage. MAGURA stands by its quality promise with the LOUISE ELITE: 5-year leak proof warranty on brake master and caliper – beyond the statutory warranty.
Bosch eBike ABS ready & with MAGURA EASY LINK.
Particular attention was paid to the integration of modern safety and maintenance features. The LOUISE ELITE brake master is fully compatible with Bosch eBike ABS systems (modes: Touring, Touring, Trail) and provides the ideal technical foundation for precise ABS function thanks to its increased oil flow volume.
MAGURA is also using the new EASY LINK technology in this price range for the first time – a tool-free, integrated hose connection that enables up to 40% faster and cleaner installation. As a plug’n play connection between the brake hose and brake master, the EASY LINK technology also simplifies maintenance.
A brake you don’t notice – until you need it.
Rub-free, quiet, and easy to maintain. The new LOUISE ELITE is a universal talent that works subtly in the background. While the caliper is based on the proven MT5, its internals have been completely redesigned. New machining of the piston chambers and sealing areas ensures especially consistent and reliable piston retraction. This minimizes rubbing noises – even after hundreds of kilometers. It is complemented by the revised friction ring design of the MDR-S 2.0 brake rotors, which helps reduce potential noise.
Additionally, the LOUISE ELITE can be retrofitted for the first time compared to the MT5 with a bleed valve at the caliper, making service work easier.
The design of the brake is deliberately simple and integrative. Thanks to the compact radial brake master design, the LOUISE takes up very little space on the handlebar, simplifying the combination with accessories. The one-piece Carbotecture clamp supports the clean look and allows for direct mounting of shift or dropper post levers using MAGURA SHIFTMIX IG. Despite its one-piece design, the clamp can be clipped onto the handlebar without removing the handlebar grip.
Matching its compact design, the LOUISE ELITE weighs only 250 g* and is significantly lighter than its competitors.
Love at first brake.
The LOUISE ELITE also impresses in terms of ergonomics: the new Carbotecture brake master offers optimal ergonomics for a wide range of riders and features a textured brake lever. Whether with or without gloves: the precisely crafted LOUISE ELITE lever ensures an optimal lever feel in every situation. MAGURA has also made internal improvements to the brake lever to provide an intuitive and comfortable braking experience. A larger master piston helps create a more defined bite point compared to the MT5. The result is a distinctly firmer bite point that conveys security and power without compromising modulation.
Technical data:
Caliper: One-piece forged, 4-piston, Aluminum
Bleeding: Bleed screw on caliper, valve retrofittable
Brake Master: Carbotecture, EASY LINK hose connection
ABS compatibility: Bosch eBike ABS ready
Rotors: MAGURA 2.0 mm rotors (MDR-S 2.0, MDR-C, STORM HC, MDR-P)
Brake pads: MAGURA MDP 9 GREEN
Brake hose: MAGURA Disctube 2.2, rotatable
Brake lever: MAGURA LOUISE ELITE, Carbotecture, T25 reach adjust
Clamp: Carbotecture, one-piece, Shiftmix IG
Weight: 250 g (*100 cm hose, incl. clamp)
Warranty: 5 year leak-proof warranty
Expected RRP: 109,90 €
Interesting, for some reason I assumed that smaller brands like EXT, Cane Creek, or Push for example would want their stuff back to service and send off to another media outlet for review/test purposes.
Kind of like how the auto industry has press loaners.
they have dealers too...
Some brands do. I haven't had that experience yet.
It's relevant to mention that most brands want their product's review published as soon as possible to coincide with the launch of the product, ideally on the same day. If it needs to be a long-term test, then the preference would be to have that long-term review published as early as possible, to maximize interest in the product during it's retail lifetime (aka before the next update, which will necessitate another round of reviews). So the review cycle of a product typically happens all at once, with most media companies doing their testing in parallel. The review model you described where one review product gets passed around from media outlet to media outlet is a very different model than what seems to be standard in the MTB market.
And that time pressure applies to me, too, as a reviewer. The later a review for a product publishes, the less web traffic it gets and the lower the degree of SEO-push it gets from the big search engines. There's a real incentive for reviews to publish as early as possible. For instance, on a big product launch day, if I'm an hour late to hit "publish" after the embargo lifts, it impacts the web traffic on that article, not just for that hour, but forever.
Life is crazy, yo.
Question.
I have some Shimano Deore M6120's installed on my bike currently. I really really dislike the feel of those levers, ive had them of a couple of my bikes and it always feels like i gotta pull the lever to the grip to get full power. I dont really mind the functionality of them, i just dislike how far the levers need to be pulled.
So im wondering, could i just upgrade the levers to something that has a bit more adjustment, and would that solve my issue at all? Some higher end lever like the XT or saints? Would that be compatible and work?
The levers are compatible but in my experience, the free stroke adjust on the higher end levers won't help that problem (all they do is increase the stroke...) What you can do however is install some 2 mm rotors. They'll be tight with brand new pads, but once there's some wear (or you can sand them down slightly) the stroke is really snappy.
Do you know what pads and rotors you're running? They might have organic pads, which deliver underwhelming power in my experience. Ditto for different rotor sizes and shapes. The Deore M6120 brake is not the strongest brake on the market, but it isn't a weak brake either. Based on your description, I wonder if something else is at play.
Another cargo bike brake?
Yes getting more expensive brakes would probably solve your issue because they usually have a bite point adjustment, or you could just bleed your brakes to have a closer bite point and make sure to rebleed as the pads wear/or replace the pads sooner.
It really sounds like a bad bleed if you have to pull them to the grips for full power. The m6120s are one of the most underrated brakes out there in my opinion. I have a set of Formula Cura 4 on one bike where I had m6120 earlier, the Shimanos had more power for sure with the setup I use.
Post a reply to: Nerding out on Brakes shall we? Not another tech deraliment