[ad_1]
Almost 50% extra energy and a 3rd much less drive wanted in comparison with Code, says SRAM, whereas change to mineral brake fluid ought to imply much less upkeep.
There’s a brand new halo brake in SRAM’s line-up, it’s referred to as Maven and it’s stated to be essentially the most highly effective brake the model has ever made. However energy is just not the one headline; SRAM additionally claims a lot much less drive is required to generate that energy, and the swap to mineral oil has doubled service intervals. We’ve ridden it, and you may learn our first experience impressions of SRAM’s Maven Final right here, however spoiler alert: it’s one in all, if not the, greatest disc brake we’ve tried.

The brand new SRAM Maven Final brake lever has a well-known lever form however the entire unit is new.
SRAM Maven brakes have to know
- Claimed 50% extra energy than the Code
- 32% much less drive wanted on the lever, says SRAM
- Elevated piston dimension – up from 15/16mm on Code to 18/19.5mm
- 4-bolt caliper reduces energy loss beneath excessive strain
- Mineral oil brake fluid takes advisable fluid change/bleed from yearly, to as soon as each two years
- Tune energy with rotor dimension and pad compound
Undoubtedly, the large information with Maven is that SRAM has moved away from DOT brake fluid. The brand new brake makes use of mineral oil, similar to the entry-level DB8 brake that we’ve been impressed with on a number of check bikes. It’s a transfer primarily motivated by bettering consistency of the brake over time, so the brakes on a motorcycle left held on a hook in your storage for six months will work simply in addition to they did once they have been new. As mineral oil doesn’t take up moisture within the air over time, it doesn’t must be refreshed or changed as commonly. And you may go away a container of brake fluid opened for longer with out it shedding efficiency. SRAM is at pains to level out that it wasn’t simple making the swap, and Maven’s seals have been specifically developed to take care of constant efficiency beneath the intense warmth generated on lengthy descents.

Utilizing mineral oil ought to imply Maven has much less of a drain in your workshop time and brake fluid shares.
Now SRAM has a brake on the high of its vary and the underside of its vary each utilizing mineral oil, and a load of brakes within the center utilizing DOT. Does Maven sign the start of the tip for DOT fluid in SRAM brakes? We are able to’t make sure, however it appears probably that there might be a gradual creep within the route of mineral oil.
Energy is the large promoting level for Maven, however it’s accessible, controllable energy that has actually pushed the event of this brake. So, whereas energy is up a heady 50% over Code, it’s the 32% much less effort that’s maybe essentially the most spectacular stat within the PR. SRAM says it has achieved this by bettering the hydraulic ratio, upping the piston sizes, and altering the SwingLink that tunes the leverage drive between the lever and the piston. Clearly extra energy is nice, notably as Maven is designed for e-bikes, downhill bikes, and enduro bikes, however needing to make use of much less effort to entry that energy is the actual recreation changer, as you employ much less vitality and expertise much less fatigue, particularly on lengthy, steep descents.

The heavy-duty caliper is locked along with 4 massive bolts.
Whereas the Maven brake lever resembles a Code, and will get Stealth routing for a cleaner cockpit, it’s in reality fully new. You continue to get attain and chew level adjustment, so you’ll be able to dial-in your lever place and compensate for pad put on simply. It’s the cast aluminium caliper, nevertheless, that’s clearly totally different. Apparent by the truth that it’s large, and clamped along with 4 large bolts. This retains it a lot stiffer than different SRAM designs beneath heavy braking, the place in any other case the pistons would attempt to drive the 2 caliper halves aside. And which means a very strong lever really feel and lowered energy loss when actually hauling on the anchors.

SRAM’s entry-level Maven Bronze brake lever makes use of a stamped lever blade, no contact adjustment and a bushing as a substitute of a bearing for the pivot.
To get Maven within the candy spot of energy it’s key to tune the working temperatures, and to do that (like every brake) SRAM offers you choices when it comes to rotor sizes, thicknesses, and pad compounds. As such there are 180mm, 200mm, and 220mm rotors in each thicker HS2 model or traditional Centreline. Then you’ll be able to select between sintered and natural pad compounds, each of which now insert from beneath reasonably than above.

The Maven Silver caliper will get a less expensive end and metal {hardware}.
There are three totally different ranges of Maven brake, in addition to a restricted version equipment that comes within the crimson, splash anodised end together with all of the rotors, pads and bleed equipment you want. That is referred to as Maven Final Professional and it’s priced at £599 ($599/€699). There’s additionally a Maven Final that is available in a plain black/clear anodised end and is offered individually with out rotors for £320 ($300/€360). Maven Silver comes with a plain black anodised end and metal {hardware} as a substitute of titanium, however will get all of the adjustment and a bearing lever pivot. Maven Silver prices £285 ($265/€320). And to complete off the vary there’s Maven Bronze. This has a stamped lever blade (as a substitute of solid), no contact level adjustment and a bushing for the lever pivot. It prices £200 per finish ($185/€220). Claimed weights are 362g for Final (lever and caliper, rear), 371g for Silver, and 369g for Bronze.

Maven Silver degree lever with pivot bearing and Contact Adjustment.
Bleed kits price price from £63 for the usual equipment, or £111 for the professional equipment. Particular Maven put up brackets are £25 and brake pads are £27.
[ad_2]