Disc brake change to Magura MT7

[jmb22]

I'm currently running the stock sram code R brakes on a 2018 Levo expert and want to change to the Magura MT7. Those who may have done the switch before what are all the pieces that I will need besides the brakes themselves. Thanks

 

[RickS]

I'm currently running the stock sram code R brakes on a 2018 Levo expert and want to change to the Magura MT7. Those who may have done the switch before what are all the pieces that I will need besides the brakes themselves. Thanks

If you are going with 203mm rotors..
QM26 Disc Brake Adapter x 2 (you can use existing adapters, however you will need to put 1.5mm-2mm spacers under the calipers)
Storm HC Rotors

 

[Peko]

A good cablecutter or garden clipper and a bleeding-kit is helpful.
You also need a wrench and a torx.
I don't know the exact size rigt now, but it's something between 12 and 14mm. The torx will be delivered with the brakes.

Read the manual or watch one of the magura tutorials before starting, then it's not really complicated.

 

[Josep Flix]

I am also interested if anyone has done this upgrade. I heard that brake 'cable' diameter might be an issue when routing it through frame holes, if replacing the original SRAM ones. I am talking about TL 2017-2018

 

[Thomas]

I heard that brake 'cable' diameter might be an issue when routing it through frame holes, if replacing the original SRAM ones. I am talking about TL 2017-2018

Well you heard it wrong. Replacing existing Sram setup is really straight forward, whether you go with Shimano or Magura.
With this little helper, you just attach old and new cable and you have the new one in the frame in matter of minutes.
RockShox Reverb Stealth Barb Connector | Seatpost - Accessories Shop

My only gripe with Magura is, that you practically have to be a surgeon, to setup the brake pads not to rub.
The tolerances left and right are so small, that you can maybe fit 2 papers on both sides. Compared to Sram and Shimano this is just ridiculous. Maybe this is a trade off, for other benefits that Magura offers.
Also the problem is, that with 6 bolt setup, you are not getting perfectly straight Rotor. Well when looking with naked eye you do, but when I put the wheel on this machine, where I can measure 0.01mm tolerance, I get 0.2mm on new Rotor in some segments of the rotor.

This would be totally acceptable for Sram and Shimano, but really on the limit with Magura. So At the end I had to bend and straighten the new Rotor..
I'm just "little" too paranoid and "too" picky, because even if you have some small rubbing, you want here this when riding this beast.

 

[Peko]

I changed to the Magura MT7 on my TL 2017 and had no problems doing this. It even should be easier at the 2018 Levo, because of other, bigger frame-holes.

I have held a flashlight in the innerside of the frame towards the holes to see the light from the outsight of the frame. Then i moved the cable slowly to the hole and pushed it through. It tooks only a few seconds.

 

[Churchill]

I used Hope rotors with the MT7's with no issues. The Hope rotor is 0.2mm thinner than the Magura rotors so there was more clearance through the calipers.

 

[Peko]

I'm using the Trickstuff Dächle rotors. Also no problems with adjusting the MT7

 

[Thomas]

Maybe in the future will try thinner 1.8-1.85mm rotors. But when I read this replay from Magura didn't want to risk it
Thiner Rotors should not be used under any cirumstances. "could be a potential safety hazard when pads are worn down toward their limits"
There are different opinions regarding this, would really like to know in the future, how the pistons will retratch with worn pads on thinner rotor.
Or is this just a scare tactic not to buy other brand.
And there is also this, which I don see how will they know, if you are using brakes with parts from other manufacturers, .
MAGURA | Bike & Motorcycle Brakes

 

[Churchill]

I need to measure the MT7 rotors on my Specialized Enduro when I get home. They are very worn. I will bet that they are currently much thinner than 1.8mm.

ETA: Rear rotor is 1.62mm thick, Front rotor is 1.71mm thick.

 

[khorn]

Maybe in the future will try thinner 1.8-1.85mm rotors. But when I read this replay from Magura didn't want to risk it
Thiner Rotors should not be used under any cirumstances. "could be a potential safety hazard when pads are worn down toward their limits"
There are different opinions regarding this, would really like to know in the future, how the pistons will retratch with worn pads on thinner rotor.
Or is this just a scare tactic not to buy other brand.
And there is also this, which I don see how will they know, if you are using brakes with parts from other manufacturers, .
MAGURA | Bike & Motorcycle Brakes

That's an easy one to check/test, measure thickness of the anchor plate of the brake pad x 2 + thickness of disk - Then take a small piece of plastic wood etc with the same thickness and put it in place of the pads/disk and pump up the brake and see what happens. Repeat it a few times and check that pistons don't stick/tilt. If it does not it is safe to ride.

Karsten

 

[Josep Flix]

Interesting, thanks to all. Now I need to save some money to give them a try. The rotors, yes, I was thinking on the hope ones, but I see there are many other options. The issue with the thickness might definitely be a selling tactic...

 

[Thomas]

I used Hope rotors with the MT7's with no issues. The Hope rotor is 0.2mm thinner than the Magura rotors so there was more clearance through the calipers.

View attachment 9718

You are running Hope Floating Rotor Brake Disc?
Any long term issues,?
Concerned about the rivets clearance at the adapter. Stock rotor has only around 3mm clearance.

 

[Churchill]

You are running Hope Floating Rotor Brake Disc?
Any long term issues,?
Concerned about the rivets clearance at the adapter. Stock rotor has only around 3mm clearance.

I had to do some grinding on the stock caliper to give the Hope rotors adequate clearance. The Magura rotors on the other hand worked fine without adjustment.

 

[Thomas]

Thanks. I thought so, there is only 2mm space.
Looking at this picture, it won't clear the adapter and the fork, without any grinding. As the rotor will be 1mm closer and add another 1mm for rivets.

Will stay with magura rotors.

 

[MrMarzocchi]

I used Hope rotors with the MT7's with no issues. The Hope rotor is 0.2mm thinner than the Magura rotors so there was more clearance through the calipers.

View attachment 9718

Still all good bro? Thinking of buying MT7 brakes because my SRAM calipers don't work with my hope rotors. Don't want to waste my money

 

[notes]

Still all good bro? Thinking of buying MT7 brakes because my SRAM calipers don't work with my hope rotors. Don't want to waste my money

I've had MT7s on my 2019 Levo for the past 2 years. They're great, super powerful and good modulation. But I wouldn't buy them again for the same reasons as above, they rub .. not a big issue on an an eMTB, but it is still frustrating and it's intermittent. While the intermittent rub can be an issue on the 'premium' MDRP floating rotors (they're designed to 'self centre') they also make a weird 'turkey' noise at worst, or less annoying on/off scraping noise. My mate also ditched his MT7s for similar reasons.
I'm looking into using TRP or Formula Cura4 brakes on my next rig. Not a Levo ..

 

[RebornRider]

I've also had MT7+MDRP front and rear for 2 years or so (let's see, before the pandemic started, or after ... can't remember). I haven't had the rubbing or annoying noises others have reported. Also, FWIW, they required bleeding only once (as part of initial installation) and no threads stripped.

When I read about the issues, it always makes me wonder what is different about my installation.