Brakes for amflow

[Brawwp]

Looking for way more stopping power. Have stock mt5 now. Is there a better pad that makes a big difference?

Also considering getting the Hayes dominion a4. For anyone who made this switch was is a huge difference? How was the install? Would get these with the d rotors and pro bleed kit.

 

[EMTB718]

Was in a similar shoe as you but decided to keep my MT7 brakes as is for my Pro model. Love MT7 brakes (Good stopping power, great modulation and love the lever shape) with exception of squeal/squeak which I can't seem to get rid of. Even after changing pads to Galfer Purple and new rotors. The noise isn't that bad but just not use to having noise from the brakes. My 3 other bikes have minimal, if any brake noise. They all use Galfer Purple pads. I have brand new set of Hayes A4 brakes sitting in my garage which I bought while back and was looking to swap out but decided not to. My main concern is that you have to drop the motor to install the new brake hose + possibly really tight hose fitting which can be a potential pain in the a$$ for brake hose install. Hayes brake hoses are slightly thicker than typical Sram, Shimano, Magura hose.
If you want stronger stopping power, try Galfer Purple pads with 220mm rotors in the front before you decide swap out the brake system. Magura does make MDR-C in 220mm.

I can't remember where but I did see a YouTube video of someone who installed A4 but it wasn't on Amflow but another bike that had Avinox. It originally had MT7 but he switched it out to A4. From his comments, it seem that A4 had more on and off bite kinda like Shimano vs Magura. Of course, lever was very light on A4 vs Magura.

 

[Brawwp]

Was in a similar shoe as you but decided to keep my MT7 brakes as is for my Pro model. Love MT7 brakes (Good stopping power, great modulation and love the lever shape) with exception of squeal/squeak which I can't seem to get rid of. Even after changing pads to Galfer Purple and new rotors. The noise isn't that bad but just not use to having noise from the brakes. My 3 other bikes have minimal, if any brake noise. They all use Galfer Purple pads. I have brand new set of Hayes A4 brakes sitting in my garage which I bought while back and was looking to swap out but decided not to. My main concern is that you have to drop the motor to install the new brake hose + possibly really tight hose fitting which can be a potential pain in the a$$ for brake hose install. Hayes brake hoses are slightly thicker than typical Sram, Shimano, Magura hose.
If you want stronger stopping power, try Galfer Purple pads with 220mm rotors in the front before you decide swap out the brake system. Magura does make MDR-C in 220mm.

I can't remember where but I did see a YouTube video of someone who installed A4 but it wasn't on Amflow but another bike that had Avinox. It originally had MT7 but he switched it out to A4. From his comments, it seem that A4 had more on and off bite kinda like Shimano vs Magura. Of course, lever was very light on A4 vs Magura.

Yeah I was concerned with brake hose size. I saw there are some amflows with the Hayes installed though. My bike was shipped without the battery so I already have experience dropping motor and battery. It’s really not too bad. But yeah I didn’t check out the cable routing so not sure how tough it’ll be.

Im just in a little pickle because I found a good Black Friday deal on the Hayes so gotta make a decision soon. Right now I feel I definitely want more stopping power somehow.

 

[Pentti]

I was happy fitting genuine magura "RACE" Pads 8.R Gold - more power and stopped the squealing I had with Sintered.

 

[Winford]

I feel I definitely want more stopping power somehow.

The magura brakes are awesome, its the rotors that suck. Add 220 rotors that are 2mm thick like Sram Hs2s. That alone will give you the best braking there is. I climb and drop over 500,000 feet every year and half of that is at race pace, I do brakes well. Shimano has great modulation but they cant compete against Magura. And I use cheapo ali express resin pads, but stopping power is there and they dont tear up the rotors the way harder pads do.

 

[ozzybmx]

I was actually very surprised by the standard MT5 Magura brakes. Swapped out the rotors for 203mm Sram with Centrelock adaptors as the carbon wheels I fitted have DT240 Centrelock rotor fitment.

Uberbike Race Matrix or e-Matrix when available. Ive had both Race matrix and e-Matrix and cannot feel a difference in them. Those pads will transform the brakes to a different level. Another pad that used to be my go-to was Trickstuff Power but the availability is patchy. Since I started using the Uberbike pads, I no longer even look for Trickstuff as they are more expensive.... though the Trickstuff are organic and more gentle on rotors but wear quicker.

Currently got a Black Friday 30% off discount code in circulation - BLACK30

Magura MT5 / MT5 ESTOP / MT5 PRO Disc Brake Pads | Uberbike

 

[Polar]

Maven Ultimate or Silver with Galfer purple is the way to go.

 

[Brawwp]

I was happy fitting genuine magura "RACE" Pads 8.R Gold - more power and stopped the squealing I had with Sintered.

Ok I just ordered these to try them first. Is that on the mt5? Did the pads come with the bolts for them since it’s going from the single to individual pads? It looked like it did in the product pics.

 

[dreys]

Ok I just ordered these to try them first. Is that on the mt5? Did the pads come with the bolts for them since it’s going from the single to individual pads? It looked like it did in the product pics.

If you buy original Magura 8.R pads, they will come with bolts. If you buy aftermarket non-Magura (Galfer, MTX, Trickstuff, etc..), those usually will come without bolts.

Also, if you want a nice powerful setup, upgrade to Magura Gustavs. You can reuse existing hoses, and will get around 30% more stopping power. Very worth the upgrade!

 

[westcoastmtbr]

I am currently very very happy with the MT5 brakes. Strongly consider some Freedom Coast levers that give you both reach and contact adjustment, plus get some better pads and rotors when you run the old ones past their life. The Freedom Coast levers are the best important part to this puzzle. I'm super happy with the set up now. Plus believe the levers are 15% off, so act soon.

 

[dreys]

I am currently very very happy with the MT5 brakes. Strongly consider some Freedom Coast levers that give you both reach and contact adjustment, plus get some better pads and rotors when you run the old ones past their life. The Freedom Coast levers are the best important part to this puzzle. I'm super happy with the set up now. Plus believe the levers are 15% off, so act soon.

Agreed, that's a good upgrade too. Either Freedom Coast or original Oak Levers, both are very nice!

 

[Pentti]

Ok I just ordered these to try them first. Is that on the mt5? Did the pads come with the bolts for them since it’s going from the single to individual pads? It looked like it did in the product pics.

Yes MT5 and came with bolts, the pads are organic / part metallic (30%) Brake levers are metal (not plastic as commonly reported) fitted to Amflow, with adjustable reach.

 

[RickBullotta]

Swap the rotors for Storm HC rotors (those come on the PL Pro) and go for the Performance pads. Be sure to bed them in properly.

 

[Weeksy]

Be sure to bed them in properly.

define 'properly'

 

[RickBullotta]

define 'properly'

Ha. Anything is better than nothing. Most people just get a new bike and go for a ride!

I do 10 gradual stops from 20MPH, 10 medium effort stops from 20MPH, and 10 hard effort stops from 20MPH, with a bias towards the front brake.

Then I repeat this with a bias towards the rear brake.

Takes about 5-10 minutes total.

New rotors or pads, repeat the process.

If I deglaze the pads, I do a mini break-in afterwards. Just a couple stops.

 

[RickBullotta]

define 'properly'

Some shops (not many) have a Sinter bedding machine:

Sinter Smart Bedding Machine

Please enquire for dealer pricing; this is a workshop-grade machine, sold through the Euro Toolworks dealer channel rather than at retail. The Sinter Smart B...

uniorusa.com

It still requires a human to operate the brake levers, but it is somewhat automated and provides guidance to the tech.

 

[Weeksy]

Some shops (not many) have a Sinter bedding machine:

Sinter Smart Bedding Machine

Please enquire for dealer pricing; this is a workshop-grade machine, sold through the Euro Toolworks dealer channel rather than at retail. The Sinter Smart B...

uniorusa.com

It still requires a human to operate the brake levers, but it is somewhat automated and provides guidance to the tech.

it's a bitch to carry to the trails though

 

[RickBullotta]

it's a bitch to carry to the trails though

And you can't power it from the USB-C port.

 

[dadeadduck]

I swapped to Intend Trinity TR with 2.3mm as I don't like the feel of the MT5. Much better feel and travel, although the TRs are still a pain to bleed and I wouldn't recommend them over the non-TR.

 

[ZR1]

MT5 are decent brakes, I changed to the galfer pads which were individual pads and used screws rather than the stock single piece pads.

I couldn't get rid of the high pitched noise and they don't handle heat as well as the Mavens so I swapped them over.

 

[Winford]

the high pitched noise

that is the rotors, its a harmonic they can develop.

 

[Pentti]

that is the rotors, its a harmonic they can develop.

That's correct, although it does not happen if you use genuine magura 8.R pads

 

[Winford]

magura 8.R pads

What ever was on the MT7 did. I like the cheapo hard resin pads from ali express, softer than maguras pads, the dont last as long, but they dont wear the rotors as fast, and I get great braking power out of them. There are multiple compounds to choose from, and hat is the tricky part

 

[ozzybmx]

The brakes and levers are fine, just the pads that need changed. Don't read into too much, I've ridden MTB since 1990 and drank the cool-aid many times, the MT5 brakes are pretty good, just change the pads out.

 

[WretchGuy]

Just received the standard PL this week. I got to say I'm thrilled to try it out at Cameron park, but these brakes... Compared to the Maven silvers on my Levo comp, it's borderline unrideable. I suppose I will try the 220 rotor and the 8.R pads before upgrading to the Maven.

 

[Winford]

Just received the standard PL this week. I got to say I'm thrilled to try it out at Cameron park, but these brakes... Compared to the Maven silvers on my Levo comp, it's borderline unrideable. I suppose I will try the 220 rotor and the 8.R pads before upgrading to the Maven.

Bring it up to Salmon falls. And yes 220 rotors a must, that alone solves brake issues, but so you know it takes a long time to break these in, took me a 100 miles.

 

[skismith]

@Braawp What was the result with changing to the gold Race pads?

 

[Brawwp]

@Braawp What was the result with changing to the gold Race pads?

Actually kept the stock setup and it started feeling better. I did buy the race pads, but haven’t installed them yet.

I ordered a crestline so I’m going to be doing mavens on that and selling the amflow soon.

 

[skismith]

Actually kept the stock setup and it started feeling better. I did buy the race pads, but haven’t installed them yet.

I ordered a crestline so I’m going to be doing mavens on that and selling the amflow soon.

Thanks for the update- will keep a look out for the video on the new bike.

 

[ericm]

Actually kept the stock setup and it started feeling better. I did buy the race pads, but haven’t installed them yet.

My PL Carbons' stock MT7s took forever to bed in. Now that they are they're pretty good. Not quite Maven gold level but totally ok, and less touchy.