Test: With the MT Trail Sport, Magura sets a new price point and completes the already extensive MT product group of disc brakes. The increasingly popular variation with a 4-piston saddle at the front and a 2-piston saddle at the rear, as known from the MT Trail SL, is now also feasible for bargain hunters.
Magura has always been known for its in-house innovative spirit. The company is one of the pioneers in the disc brake market, brought the first hydraulic rim brake to the bike with the HS series, developed the world's first wirelessly controlled dropper post with the Vyron and introduced the MT brakes, the first transmitter units made from the plastic Carbotecture, which was developed in-house. What may not be known to some: Magura is also a pioneer in the motorcycle market and this is exactly where they got their inspiration for the MT Trail brake series on mountain bikes: Four piston brake calipers at the front for high stability and lots of power and two pistons at the rear to save weight and cost.
Magura MT Trail Sport – fact check
We tested the MT Trail Sport: Put simply, it is the economy version of the well-known MT Trail SL, which costs a whopping 579 euros - the MT Trail Sport is significantly cheaper at 219 euros. You only have to do without a few features of the noble counterpart.
So what are the differences then? In terms of weight, the MT Trail Sport offers even more for the money: the MT Trail SL weighs a total of 240 grams at 220 and 460 grams, while the cheaper sister weighs in at 255 and 230 grams, adding 25 grams. There is no difference in washers, screws and adapters, the same parts are used. The Sport variant shares a brake handle with the MT5, the SL with the MT7. The handle housings are slightly different and are manufactured at different locations. The MT7/SL variant allows an easier lever change and provides a stronger gear ratio. The result is even more braking power, but also a small air gap between the slide and the pads, which is more of a drag.
There are also differences in the brake pads: The 4-piston version of the Sport variant is connected to a carrier plate, the SL uses individual pads. The latter should be a little more temperature-stable, but can of course also be easily retrofitted to the sports version. A main difference is the brake lever and the clamp of the brake lever: The SL version is made of carbon. The system is flexible, so you can also vary the brake lever. In addition to the distinction between carbon and aluminum, there are also different designs for different requirements. The lever can be adjusted with an Allen key SW3. And anyway, everyone can be happy at Magura - thanks to the numerous tuning and customization options.
Magura #customizeyourbrake: Individual brakes for individual bikers
The MT Trail Experience - the experiences of a test season
We were able to test the brakes on a wide variety of terrain throughout the season. On the program: long rocky descents to the sea, rough passages in the bike park and long flowing trails. Wet, dry, hot and cold. Everything was there. The braking behavior has not changed noticeably. Thanks to the double carrier plates, i.e. the original pads, you can achieve excellent braking performance in any weather. The brakes can also be dosed very well and have a good grip. Full braking power at the front, absolute control with the rear wheel brake. But also a higher sensitivity to heat than at the front.
For this, one is also happy to accept that the front wheel has to come out when changing the pads. You can retrofit single pads, at the latest when the first set is worn out. That brings us to the topic of durability: In terms of wear, we can recommend the stoppers, there is no increased or unusual wear to report on any component. With the banjo fitting, the brakes have been given rotatable hose connections. This helped to lay the lines optimally. On the test bike, for example, the lines on the rear end run in the frame.
Anyone who says they enjoy bleeding a disc brake will probably soon have a long nose. In fact, the MT Trail is very quick and uncomplicated. Magura's Easy Bleed Technology makes things a little easier. Bleeding was not necessary during the test phase, we only practiced it during assembly.
