SHOW STOPPERS: Our Top 5 MTB Brakes

Five of Thunder Mountain Bikes’ top-selling brakes and why you should consider upgrading.

Brakes are about the last upgrade mountain bikers consider. “They just aren’t something that most people think about,” said my local mechanic when I dropped off a bike to swap out for this test. “No one wants to pay extra for something that slows you down.”

Think about it: A wheel upgrade is sexy and light and makes you feel fast. Touchpoints like saddles, grips, and pedals make an immediate difference in performance and comfort. Heck, bars, stems, hubs, or even a new steer tube cap add bling and personality to a bike.

But brakes? Mostly, they are an afterthought that we all just want to work.

And yet, good braking can make you faster. More power and better modulation (that’s the ability to precisely control the amount of braking force needed) allows you to feel more in control, which subsequently means you’ll feel more comfortable letting the speed inch up.

Five-time UCI Downhill World Cup Champion Aaron Gwin once told me that effective braking often makes the difference between winning and losing. Whereas many riders carry too much speed into an obstacle and then pull hard on the brakes, thus losing momentum, Gwin described feathering the brakes early to check speed, then opening the brakes back up to carry more energy through an obstacle. “One key to real speed is good braking,” he explained.

I’ve tested every major brand and model of brakes through the years, and I’ve had my opinions and preferences. But on my personal bikes, though I’ve constantly upgraded every other part, I’ve always just ridden whatever brakes came stock. Everything worked well enough, I thought.

Over the past year, however, I’ve ridden five of Thunder Mountain’s top-selling brake sets and discovered that not all are created equal. They all will stop you, sure. But the power, adjustability, and lever feel varied widely. In a couple of cases, I’d even go so far as to say that switching up brakes completely overhauled and redefined the bikes onto which they were installed.

The upshot: I’ve never really considered needing or wanting new brakes, as I didn’t believe a switch could make an appreciable difference. I was wrong about that, and I’ve really come to value the improved feel and performance these new brakes have made.

One sidenote: Back in my racing days, I chose every component, brakes included, for how much weight they would save. What I’ve learned this year is that no tiny weight savings is more important than the power and adjustability that a good brake provides. (For instance, the TRPs are around 17 grams per brake heavier than, say, top-of-the-line Shimano XTRs, putting the difference between a set of brakes at around the same as a 5mm Park Tool Allen key.)  I haven’t even listed weights in this review. None of these brakes are the lightest, but several of them are the best. Find one that feels good and performs well for you, and you’ll never give a second thought to those extra grams.

Read on to see what model might make a difference for you. Or stop by the shop or give us a call to discuss the options with our mechanics.

HAYES DOMINION A4 The Hayes Dominion A4 redefines what great braking feels like. With light, linear lever action, effortless power, and zero fade, even on long alpine descents, these brakes transform an already great ride into a flawless one. See why the Dominion A4 delivers the best performance for the price. 👉 read the full review

Shimano Deore XT The Shimano XT 4-Piston brakes deliver a huge jump in stopping power over their 2-piston predecessors, without sacrificing Shimano’s signature reliability. With tool-free adjustments, excellent heat management, and year-after-year consistency, these brakes punch far above their price. Find out why they’re the best value in trail braking. 👉 read the full review

SRAM Code Ultimate The latest SRAM Code brakes are a big step up from past versions—sharper bite point, better modulation, and plenty of power. But despite the upgrades, they still fall short of the competition on both performance and price. Solid brakes, but overshadowed by stronger, more refined options. 👉 read the full review

SRAM Maven Silver SRAM’s Maven brakes deliver unmatched stopping power (nearly 50% more than the Codes!) making them ideal for e-bikes and gravity riders. With massive pistons, flawless modulation, and easy maintenance, they redefine what “powerful” feels like on the trail. Overkill for light bikes, but perfect for anything that needs serious braking strength. 👉 read the full review

TRP EVO Pro TRP’s EVO Pro brakes blend stunning design with flawless performance. With tool-free adjustments, a refined lever feel, and smooth, fatigue-free modulation, they rival the Hayes Dominions for best overall brake. Powerful, consistent, reliable, and with looks to match, these brakes can make your bike feel brand new. 👉 read the full review

by Aaron Gulley Aaron has been writing about cycling, travel, and the outdoors and reviewing gear for the likes of Outside, Bicycling, Velonews, and others for over two decades.