Best mountain bike brakes on the market | MTB hydraulic disc brakes 2018

Discover our selection of the best mountain bike brakes on the market. If you want to know the best MTB brakes 2018, sales, tests, customer reviews and price of the MTB Brake then you are in the right place.

To ensure that your ATV outings do not turn into a nightmare, check your brake system regularly, including the brake pads that keep you safe. Effective disc brakes allow you to ride with peace of mind. To help you choose the best MTB hydraulic disc brakes 2018, we reviewed some top class products and made our selection of the best mountain bike brakes on the market right now. The disc brakes are very present in the world of mountain biking. In recent years they have managed to win and are now considered a standard. It is also interesting to note that the very high-end road bikes are starting to use hydraulic brakes. Their success is due to several factors: their effectiveness, reliability and viability. However, let’s read our reviews of the best mountain bike hydraulic brakes to have the best MTB brakes in 2018.

Top 6 best MTB hydraulic disc brakes currently available on the market

Shimano XT BL-M8000 Disc Brake

Lighter, ergonomically and aesthetically improved, and its affordable price makes it one of the best hydraulic disc brakes in 2018. The brake offers a few subtle refinements for a reduction in weight and a sleeker look. It also frees up space on your dashboard with a narrower clamp. This disc brake also comes with a new lever with an integrated master cylinder. In addition to the excellent power and modulation, the XT Brakes provide easy adjustment to keep your fingers happy and intuitively in control. There's also a tool-free reach adjustment that you're able to dial on-the-fly, along with a free stroke adjustment The free stroke adjustment lets you determine lever-blade-to-travel before pads make contact with the rotor. Also, the arc of the lever mimics the natural movement of fingers for enhanced power. Shimano’s Servo Wave technology can adjust the piston travel relative to lever travel. As you squeeze on the brakes, the gap to the rotor quickly closes and then slows to permit predictable modulation. This allows the pads to sit further from the rotors at rest for less chance of drag. The calipers house a 22mm ceramic piston for inspiring stopping power and Shimano uses a banjo fitting for the hose attachment at the caliper.
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SRAM Guide RSC (B1) Disc Brake

This is one of the best mountain bike breaks on the market. It comes with a bucket-load of adjustability. SRAM Guide RSC (B1) Disc Brake includes a bite-point adjustment dial, making a significant difference to where the pads contact the rotor. You can also adjust the lever reach with an updated knob that has clearer clicks and no creep. The Bleeding Edge technology works well to ensure fluid passes easily through it. And, no doubt, the reliability of the Guide brake family has been relentlessly excellent. The result is consistently rich and impressive modulation that eclipses anything else you’ll find.
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Shimano XTR M9020 Trail Disc Brake

This Shimano XTR M9020 Trail Disc Brake is an ergonomic, powerful and compact disc brake. The Servo-Wave XTR hydraulic disc brake lever has been optimized for full adjustability on-the-fly. Shimano's cutting-edge technology in the realm of disc brakes means you immediately benefit from a lightweight and powerful, easily adaptable post-style hydraulic disc brake caliper for superb stopping power.
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Hope Tech 3 V4 Front Brake

The HOPE Tech E4 front brake is ideal for practicing All Mountain and Freeride. The 4 pistons ensure powerful braking (5% more powerful than the old version of the Tech Evo), the bridge and the tank have been redesigned to eliminate unnecessary weight and improve the appearance. The handle is easily placed on the handlebar and is compatible with the Shimano I-Spec controls and adapters to the Sram controls. The adjustment parameter BPC (Bite Point Control) that is performed directly on the lever stands out.
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Clarks M2 MTB Hydraulic Disc Brake set

Apart from still using an opposed two-piston design, the new M2 brakes hold very little in common with previous stoppers from Clarks. Aesthetically, for the lever at least, comparisons can be made between the new M2 and many of Shimano’s recent models. The lever size and shape look familiar, and so does the way the raised master cylinder runs parallel with the hose.
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Magura MT5E Carbotecture Bicycle Disc Brake

The 4-piston braking force is now available for electric bicycle disc brakes, thanks to the Magura MT5e model. The lightweight carbon fiber brakes and aluminum handle have been specially manufactured to ensure optimal ergonomics. The rigid 4-piston brake calipers offer excellent braking power and are designed to facilitate the replacement of the brake pads. A much greener alternative than many of the competitors and also requires minimal maintenance. The new and innovative solution of Magura has a mechanical lever in the brake lever, which activates the brake lights before starting the braking effect. In combination with the new Storm HC brake discs, they guarantee greater stability and mechanical resistance than the previous version. The new brake discs have a diameter of 160 to 203 mm and a thickness of 2 mm.
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What are disc brakes?

Disc brakes are a progressive and powerful braking mechanism. The clamp driven by the cable or the hydraulic system forces the movement of the disc brake pads towards the rotor to reduce the speed or stop your bicycle. The vast majority of disc brakes on mountain bikes are activated by the hydraulic system. The brake fluid presses the advance to the brake caliper and this causes a tightening force on the rotor by means of the brake pads. The physical action of braking is caused by the friction generated by brake pads and rotors. Hydraulic disc brakes are lighter, more reliable, more powerful and offer a better braking sensation than cable-driven disc brakes. However, cable disks are cheaper, and if you already have a bike with cable rim brakes, you will not have to buy new brake levers since the cable disc brakes use conventional style cable pull brakes.

Types of disc brakes

There are two types of disc brakes: the mechanical and the hydraulic. The mechanical disc brakes are the essential of the entry-level. They are less powerful, less precise and require more maintenance. When the driver brakes, he pulls on a cable that will force two pads to come into contact with the disc, which will slow down the bike. The hydraulic disc brakes will be a whole; the oil contained in the sheath must not escape the lever to the pistons. They are not exposed to external elements. When the driver brakes, the movement of the lever will push the oil in the sheath which will itself exert pressure on the pistons that will push pads against the disc, which will slow the bike.

Do all MTB bicycles use disc brakes?

Not all mountain bikes use disc brake platforms, although most rigid and double-suspension bikes use disc brakes activated by hydraulics. The disc braking technology has evolved to a point where the technology has been leaked to reach much more competitive prices and, as a result, it is now more common to see disc brakes on bikes of initiation or middle level. Another reason lies in the design of the painting; the current mountain bikes are designed to offer good off-road performance and are made with disc brakes instead of Cantilever brakes.
Can I upgrade my mountain bike with disc brakes?
Disc brakes can be mounted on any mountain bike as long as the bike is equipped with two elements:
• Bushings with adjustment elements for a disk rotor.
• Frame and fork with brackets for mounting disc brake calipers.

What are the advantages of using disc brakes?

Power

Disc brakes are exponentially more powerful than Cantilever or V-Brake type brakes.

Control

A progressive braking allows you to enjoy the advantage of a powerful braking performance without compromising the control of your bike.

Confidence

The combination of power, progression, and versatility in any type of weather conditions translates into greater confidence on the trails. The ability to brake with confidence also means that you will be safer and will be able to face any technical challenge when it occurs.

Versatility

Disc brakes also provide reliable performance in any weather condition, which makes them stand out from any rim brake design, as in this type of brakes tire wear and inconsistent performance in wet conditions It can compromise its proper functioning.

Brake disc mounting systems

When you find the right disc brake and want to make a purchase, it is imperative to make sure that the brake has the correct mounting system for your frame and fork. The measurement of the disc brake supports is based on the distance in millimeters between the center of the two mounting holes with screws. If your bike has a specific type of mounting and you want to install disc brakes with a different system, you can buy a mounting bracket for disc brakes. There are two main types of disc brake mounting systems:
• IS mounting (international standard): 51 mm
• Post Mount mounting (threaded connection): 74 mm

Types of brake pads for disc brakes

The disc brake pads work by creating the friction that allows the reduction of the speed or braking of the bicycle. There are three main kinds of pills that you can buy at Amazon.
• Sintered: the sintered pellets are made of the most wear-resistant compound and are the most popular type of disc brake pads. Although they are not exactly as potent as organic compound pills, these pills provide excellent performance and durability.
• Organic: these pills are made from organic materials and are the most powerful option. However, although they are more powerful, this type of compound wears more easily.
• Semi-organic: this type of pills is not always an easy option when purchasing replacement brake pads, but they offer a good combination of power and long life.

Maintenance of disc brakes

Hydraulic disc brakes require very little maintenance. Unlike rim brakes or disc brakes driven by cable or mechanically, there are no cables that can be clogged with dirt and crap. The hydraulic brakes use a hydraulic hose to transport the hydraulic fluid (it can be DOT 4 or 5.1 brake fluid used in Avid, Hope, Formula and some other brakes, or non-corrosive mineral oil such as those used in Shimano or Magura brakes) from the brake lever to the clamp completely sealed.

What brands should I look for?

The most popular brands are Shimano, Formula, Hope, Magura and S RAM. There are, however, other brands that produce disc brakes of good quality, but for cyclists who demand the best performance, the mentioned brands will not disappoint.