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Mountain Bike Brake Reviews

Close-up image of a bicycle handlebar featuring textured black grips, a silver brake lever labeled "TRP," and intricate details of gear shifters. The background shows a green grassy area with blurred autumn leaves, creating a natural outdoor setting.

How to Choose the Best Mountain Bike Brakes in 2025: A Buyer's Guide

by Matt Miller
Close-up of a bicycle's rear brake system, showcasing the disc brake rotor, caliper, and part of the frame, set against a blurred green background.
Brakes
Shimano DEORE XT M8200 mountain bike brake review
A man in a blue shirt and black shorts rides a mountain bike on a dirt trail in a rocky desert landscape, wearing a light-colored helmet and sunglasses. He is focused on navigating the terrain, surrounded by sparse vegetation and boulders in the background.
Brakes
Shimano XTR mountain bike brake review
A mountain biker leaning into a curve on a dirt trail surrounded by dense green foliage and tall trees in a forest setting.
Brakes
Hope XCR Pro E4 brakes combine the best XC and enduro features [Review]
Close-up view of a mountain bike's brake system featuring a black and silver brake caliper with the text "MAVEN" on it, mounted near a circular metal disc rotor. The bike's blue frame is partially visible in the background, highlighting the detail of the brake components against a natural outdoor setting.
Brakes
The SRAM Maven Ultimate Brakes are the new standard by which all MTB brakes will be measured [Review]
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Close-up of a bicycle brake caliper mounted on a bike wheel, showcasing its metallic structure and braking components with visible hydraulic lines, set against a blurred natural background.
Brakes
My stock eMTB brakes felt under-powered, so I tried Hope Tech 4 V4 brakes [Review]
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Close-up of a bicycle handlebar with Shimano gear shift levers, set against a backdrop of tall grass and trees under a blue sky.
Brakes
The Shimano GRX Drivetrain Brings Familiar Mountain Bike Tech to Gravel Riding [Review]
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Close-up image of a bicycle's brake system, featuring a black brake caliper labeled "dominion T4" attached to a turquoise frame. The brake lines and part of the rotor are visible in the background, showcasing the mechanical components of the bike.
Brakes
Hayes Dominion T4 Brakes Drop Weight But not Performance [Review]
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A close-up view of a black archery release aid with green internal components, positioned against a blurred background of tree bark and grass.
Brakes
Hope Tech 4 E4 Enduro Brakes Balance Power and Modulation With Distinctive Appearance
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Close-up of a mountain bike handlebar featuring a Shimano SLX brake lever, with a textured black grip and carbon fiber section. The background is a blurred natural scene with soft greenery.
Brakes
Shimano SLX 4-Piston Brakes Offer a Familiar Feel and Similar Power at a Better Price [Review]
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Close-up of a TRP Slate brake lever and caliper resting on a textured surface with green grass in the background. The components are black, featuring the TRP and Slate branding. A cable is visible extending from the lever to the caliper.
Brakes
TRP Slate EVO 4-Piston Brake Review: An Affordable, Powerful Trail Bike Brake
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Close-up of a bicycle handlebar grip resting against a tree, featuring a textured brown grip and a silver brake lever with visible components. The background is softly blurred with green foliage, suggesting an outdoor setting.
Brakes
Trickstuff Piccola 2-Piston Brakes: As Lightweight as Heavy Stopping Gets [Review]
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Close-up of a Shimano Deore XT brake caliper mounted on a blue bicycle frame, featuring intricate mechanical details and a visible disc brake rotor in the background.
Brakes
Shimano XT Brakes Review: Same Great Stopping Power, With a Different Feel
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Close-up view of a bicycle's rear brake caliper, showcasing intricate metallic components, including pistons and fluid lines, positioned beside a dark frame and a purple hub in the background. The image highlights the detail of the brake system against a blurred natural backdrop.
Brakes
Broad Modulation and Adjustability with Hope Tech 3 E4 Mountain Bike Brakes [Review]
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Close-up image of a bicycle's hydraulic disc brake system, featuring a shiny metal brake caliper with the engraving "C41" and a visible brake rotor. A portion of a suspension shock is also visible, displaying a logo. The background is softly blurred, emphasizing the bike components.
Brakes
Stop That Bus: A Review of the Trickstuff Direttissima 4-Piston Brakes
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A close-up view of a TRP bicycle brake lever and caliper, featuring a sleek metallic finish and black accents, resting on weathered wooden planks. The image showcases the brake line and lever design, typically used for mountain or downhill biking.
Brakes
TRP DH-R EVO Brakes: Trickle Down Tech from eMTBs Brings Power and Reliability [Review]
Brakes
Hayes Dominion A4 Brakes Mix High Power With Broad Modulation [Review]
A person riding a mountain bike on a wooden ramp through a lush, green forest. The biker, wearing a black shirt and a red and black helmet, is focused as they navigate the trail. Bright sunlight filters through the trees, illuminating the scene.
Brakes
Hope RX4 Brakes Bring Four Piston Power to Drop Bar Bikes [Review]
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Close-up of a bicycle's rear wheel and disc brake, featuring a shiny silver shock absorber labeled "pull shock world champion." In the foreground, there are delicate white flowers and green leaves, surrounded by a natural, earthy background.
Brakes
Formula Cura 4 Gravity Brakes Perform with Pronounced Power and Consistency [Review]
Close-up image of a bicycle's brake system, showcasing a silver braking caliper and disc rotor attached to a blue bike frame. The background features blurred grasses and foliage, highlighting the bike's components.
Brakes
TRP G-Spec DH Brakes Go Fast, Feel Amazing [Review]
A close-up view of a mountain bike's drivetrain and rear wheel, featuring a shiny aluminum frame, gears, and a visible suspension system. The bike is positioned on green grass near a body of water, indicating an outdoor setting. The wheel has a thick tire designed for rugged terrain.
Brakes
A Summer Spent Pedaling Aboard Shimano XTR 12-Speed Group Set [Review]
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Close-up of a bicycle brake system, showcasing a black hydraulic brake caliper labeled "GUIDE RE" with detail on the disc rotor, brake lines, and components against a green grass background.
Brakes
SRAM Guide RE Brakes Review: More Power for Less $$
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