SRAM Motive Ultimate MTB brake review

Hi Goldilocks. You want an XC brake that’s as light as possible while providing nearly enough power to keep your gravity bike in check. SRAM has a new set on deck for you that they’re calling Motive. We tested a set of the Motive Ultimate brakes and were thoroughly impressed with the brand’s idea of XC-ready skidders. 

Chatting with a friend over lunch a few years back, the topic of SRAM brakes came up. We had both been burned by their Elixer models that were sub-par on a good day, and we agreed that the brand had made an impressive comeback with the current Code lineup. I remember saying, “it’d be rad if the SRAM brake lineup started with Code brakes and every other model got better from there.” Then they made the Maven, taking that notion to another level, and the Level 4-piston became their lightweight XC brake. 

The fresh Motive hydraulic brakes are said to sit between SRAM’s Level and Code models in terms of stopping power, for XC and trail bikes with less than 140mm of travel. We tested them on a rigid Kona Unit and also mounted the set on a 170mm gravity sled just to check the limits.

Motive brakes are available in Ultimate at $275 per hand, Silver for $225, and Bronze for $175 each. You can snag a set of the Ultimate models in an expert kit that includes 160 and 180mm rotors, both pad compound options, and a super nice bleed kit for $599 total. The Ultimate option, with carbon fiber levers, weighs 264g oper hand, and the grams creep up to 273g for the Silver model, and 279g for Bronze.    

For the sake of comparison, the current model Shimano XTR brakes that we tested back in 2019 weigh roughly 280g per hand with an MSRP of $326 per side on the date of their release.

So, the SRAM brake lineup is now looking like Motive and DB8/6/4 models for anything from XC to trail, with Maven taking care of all the proper gravity jams. All use mineral oil and each caliper houses four pistons no matter the model.  

SRAM Motive Ultimate brake specs  

Like the Level brakes that came before, the Motive Ultimates save weight wherever possible. That includes a carbon fiber lever with reach adjustment but no contact-adjust screws. More weight is shaved with titanium lever and caliper hardware, giving us 4-piston power at 2-piston grams.

• Mineral oil, 4-piston front and rear
• Weight: 264g per side
• Price: $275 per side

Installation and setup

SRAM sent their Motive Ultimate Expert Kit, which includes a pair of 160mm and 180mm CL-X rotors, 20mm caliper adapters, sintered and organic pads, all the bleed accoutrements, and a quality bleed kit with their signature mineral oil. The included bleed kit reminds me of the box that a fancy watch would come in. That case can be so well made that you marvel at it almost as much as the watch itself.    

Setup was as follows: bolt on levers and calipers, cut hose to fit, insert barb and olive, then bleed. All told, I had two brakes and a set of rotors dialed in about 30 minutes. Not that I would mind if it took longer. I’ll happily use that Bleeding-Edge kit any day. I love a well-designed tool. 

Slowing impressions

In Bellingham, Washington, you either ride in the mud or you ride in August, so I slid the sintered pads in these brakes from the jump. I don’t mind the little noise sintered pads are known for as much as I mind how they perform better in the soggy. 

My left index finger was halved by a saw years ago, making it particularly sensitive to lever feel and brake power. I like to ride the most powerful brakes I can, and I run both levers as close to the handlebar as possible so they feel similar in both hands. The most notable element of these brakes is their lever feel. The bearings are smooth and the lever glides with very little finger input, offering up sweet power modulation from early on in the stroke. The levers lack any of the dead spots or wandering bits points we might find elsewhere. You just get good power when you need it and ya don’t have to give much to continue getting more. 

I have ridden with the new Maven Ultimates for a bit now, and I’m chuffed. They offer more power than I need most of the ride, and they’re all anchor when things get too loose. SRAM says these new Motive brakes are “almost as powerful as Codes” and I think that’s close to a true statement. Not quite Code-strong, but they’re playing a good hand. Now that the max-power gravity bar has been raised to Maven, the Motive is a fantastic line to draw just below it.   

It’s been too snowy to climb up for the longest rips, but I haven’t noticed much power-fade with these brakes on 4-6 minute descents. I mounted them on my Raaw Madonna before putting them on the hardtail, and I was impressed with the amount of power output they offer, even on the steeper stuff. Lighter-weight riders (140lb / 64Kg and below) could likely get away with a set of these on their long-travel bikes. For myself, at 171lb / 76Kg, the Motive Ultimate is a fantastic brake set for exactly what SRAM says it’s for: bikes with 140mm of travel or less. 

Pros

• Good power-to-weight ratio 
• Less expensive versions don’t weigh much more than the top of the line
• Clean integration with SRAM’s new Eagle 90 and T-type cockpit components

Cons

• Some riders will want pad adjustment on top tier levers
• Replacement carbon lever assembly is expensive at $145

Bottom line

In summation, these brakes are worth a long look if you’re in the market. My favorite bike-stoppers used to be the Hayes Dominion A4. I loved them for the ease with which you can get heaps of stopping power, saving your hand strength to grip bars throughout the day. With the introduction of the Motive and Maven models, SRAM is quickly taking that top step.