Magura Gustav Pro Alignment

[Samwallace86]

Struggling to get my Gustavs setup
They were squealing like mad on the first ride
I’ve noticed now that when pulling th levers not all the pistons move at the same time
I’ve tried the tool to only let one piston move at a time but still uneven when pulling the lever picture shows. 2 pistons moving and the other 2 still in the caliper
Any advice or previous experience with these brakes?

 

[Andrew8200m]

Pull the pistons beyond the seal just a little tiny bit (like the one you have already) and lube it. Push it in and out a few times and then bleed. Seems like they're sticking.

 

[Samwallace86]

I have this tool
So essentially push 1 piston out and rub some royal blood round it with a cotton bud?

 

[Andrew8200m]

That’s what I would try first, wheels off, pads out and some brake cleaner in there to get the grit out to start and see how you get on.

 

[Samwallace86]

That’s what I would try first, wheels off, pads out and some brake cleaner in there to get the grit out to start and see how you get on.

They're brand new which is frustrating part

 

[Stihldog]

Hi Sam.
Did you install this new brake system? (Master, Calliper, Hoses).
I’m not familiar with this specific model but I have installed a few Magura brake systems. (MT7, Mt8).

I once found a pinched, and or, kinked hydraulic hose which prevented the calliper to operate properly. (Motor /battery compartment.)

Initial bleeding is always important on Magura brake systems. Trapped air in the calliper can cause problems.

These seem to be the answer to the Mavens which is also a strong brake system.

 

[RJUK]

Let us know if you manage to solve this. I have a set of these to install soon myself. Maybe even this weekend...

 

[RJUK]

I'm also struggling with fitting these, not sure if I'm missing something. Did you ever get them sorted?

I fitted them and the pads were rubbing the full rotation of the disc, so I removed the wheel and pads, opened the bleed port on the lever and pushed the pads back in. I also did a piston massage on all the pistons and used a cotton bud to apply Royal Blood to the piston sidewalls. Then put the wheel back in and... Still rubbing full rotation. I had the caliper loose and pulled the lever whilst I tightened them down, but the caliper ended up just touching the disc on one side and still rubbing full rotation. Then I straightened the caliper out so the disc was more central and it still runs both sides at once for the full rotation.

 

[Samwallace86]

I took them to the LBS and they bled them
Now not rubbing as much…
Not convinced on these compared to the MT7 must admit

 

[RJUK]

I took them to the LBS and they bled them
Now not rubbing as much…
Not convinced on these compared to the MT7 must admit

Still rubbing though?

Mine are only rubbing lightly, the wheel still spins, but that's not the point. The brakes I took off (Code RSCs) didn't rub.

I'll try a bleed and see how I get on. I wonder if they just need bedding in. That will naturally rub the pad material down a bit and help mate the discs and pads, and perhaps some heat in the system will get the pistons moving a bit more freely...?

I find it weird that they don't have any pad springs though. So you're relying on the pistons pulling the pads away from the disc without a spring helping to push them apart.

 

[Eckythump]

I love the braking power but they are a nightmare for noise they go quiet at speed but after a week of Morzine dust they were embarrassing in the lift queues.
You can pull the pads and stick the yellow tools fat end first with the slot going over the disk to align the caliper.

Magura having magnetic pistons instead of using the springs is one of the biggest positives to me. I managed to bag a set of Intend Trinity’s, in two minds whether to put them on because of the springs….

 

[RJUK]

I love the braking power but they are a nightmare for noise they go quiet at speed but after a week of Morzine dust they were embarrassing in the lift queues.
You can pull the pads and stick the yellow tools fat end first with the slot going over the disk to align the caliper.

Magura having magnetic pistons instead of using the springs is one of the biggest positives to me. I managed to bag a set of Intend Trinity’s, in two minds whether to put them on because of the springs….

Lol, I just installed a set of Intend Trinities on my ebike (the Gustavs are actually on my analogue bike). At the moment I'm having rubbing issues with the Trinities as well! I have 2.3mm TRP rotors on that bike. Thought I got them not rubbing, then rode at FOD last weekend, and when I got the bike out of the car at home afterwards the front brake was rubbing again. Argh! I fiddled with it yesterday and it just rubs lightly in one spot now, so just needs the disc trying slightly, but the rear brake is rubbing now. Urghhh.

Had two bikes with brakes that didn't rub, decided to upgrade the brakes on both and now have two bikes that rub. "If it ain't broken... Break it!"

I just don't understand the process whereby the pads know where to retract to. I think the Maguras had loads of room when I put the wheels in, but the levers went to the bar. After a few pumps of levers they formed up, but then the pads rub the whole disc rotation...

 

[Eckythump]

Lol, I just installed a set of Intend Trinities on my ebike (the Gustavs are actually on my analogue bike). At the moment I'm having rubbing issues with the Trinities as well! I have 2.3mm TRP rotors on that bike. Thought I got them not rubbing, then rode at FOD last weekend, and when I got the bike out of the car at home afterwards the front brake was rubbing again. Argh! I fiddled with it yesterday and it just rubs lightly in one spot now, so just needs the disc trying slightly, but the rear brake is rubbing now. Urghhh.

Had two bikes with brakes that didn't rub, decided to upgrade the brakes on both and now have two bikes that rub. "If it ain't broken... Break it!"

I just don't understand the process whereby the pads know where to retract to. I think the Maguras had loads of room when I put the wheels in, but the levers went to the bar. After a few pumps of levers they formed up, but then the pads rub the whole disc rotation...

When I first put the Gustavs on the bike had Magura 220mm MDR floating disks and they didn’t rub or make noise. Then I put on a thick set of Intend non floating disks and they have been a pain to setup since. Maybe I should go back to the MDR’s.
Cannot fault the power and consistent feel of the Gustav’s though.
Be interesting to see how the Trinity’s compare.

 

[RJUK]

When I first put the Gustavs on the bike had Magura 220mm MDR floating disks and they didn’t rub or make noise. Then I put on a thick set of Intend non floating disks and they have been a pain to setup since. Maybe I should go back to the MDR’s.
Cannot fault the power and consistent feel of the Gustav’s though.
Be interesting to see how the Trinity’s compare.

Well the Intend discs are 2.3mm. I initially was just going to keep my Swisstop floating discs, but then noticed that Intend intends (no pun intend'ed!) for you to run a 2.3mm disc with them, so I got the TRP ones, as I already had the Trinities and the TRP discs were cheaper and didn't need importing from Germany.

The Magura discs though, are 2.5mm, so even thicker again... They came in the box with the Gustavs, so I just used them as it ought to flippin' work with them!

People are saying to bleed the system, but I don't see how a bleed will create space between the pads?

 

[Eckythump]

Well the Intend discs are 2.3mm. I initially was just going to keep my Swisstop floating discs, but then noticed that Intend intends (no pun intend'ed!) for you to run a 2.3mm disc with them, so I got the TRP ones, as I already had the Trinities and the TRP discs were cheaper and didn't need importing from Germany.

The Magura discs though, are 2.5mm, so even thicker again... They came in the box with the Gustavs, so I just used them as it ought to flippin' work with them!

People are saying to bleed the system, but I don't see how a bleed will create space between the pads?

I didn’t use the 2.5mm disks from the Magura kit as they were 200mm and my bike was already setup with 220mm x 2mm Magura disks. I drank the thick disk Kool Aid and bought the 2.3mm Intends as Magura still don’t do thick 220mm rotors. Something about ‘fools being easily parted from their money’ springs to mind!!

 

[RJUK]

I didn’t use the 2.5mm disks from the Magura kit as they were 200mm and my bike was already setup with 220mm x 2mm Magura disks. I drank the thick disk Kool Aid and bought the 2.3mm Intends as Magura still don’t do thick 220mm rotors. Something about ‘fools being easily parted from their money’ springs to mind!!

Hah! Well I bought the Intends and started fitting them to my Ebike, then my riding buddy saw the Maguras on FB Marketplace and sent me the link. So I bought them and they're going on my analogue Enduro bike. The guy who sold them to me reckons that could be a bit overkill and bitey... We'll see. Anyway, that bike had 200mm Sram rotors, so I think the thick Magura 203mm rotors will be more than enough for this bike, especially as they're designed for Ebikes and DH rigs.

TBH I just wanted a quiet, reliable, easy to service brake and wanted to get away from the DOT fluid of the SRAM brakes. Hopefully if I can get them dialed then they'll be good after that. I'm partial to Maguras as the bike I had as a kid had their HS33 rim brake on.

Mind you, I used to fiddle with those bloody things all the time, so perhaps that's not a great start!

 

[smc_stefan]

I installed mine on Tuesday and after the second alignement I'm about 98% free of rubbing which is ok for my on the ebike.

What I did:
I did an initial alignement after installing them and went for a testride.
After that, I pulled the pads out and pushed the pistons in with the included yellow tool and gave them a quick bleed on the lever only. Then I reinstalled the pads and did the usual "hold the brake and carefully and slowly tighten the caliper screws". I guess carefully and slowly is the key to not move the caliper unnecesary.

Now, after a long ride today, I'm happy as they are. The rear spins completely free and on the front there is a barely noticable "rub" when the wheel is in the air on the stand but which is not noticable while riding.

 

[RJUK]

I installed mine on Tuesday and after the second alignement I'm about 98% free of rubbing which is ok for my on the ebike.

What I did:
I did an initial alignement after installing them and went for a testride.
After that, I pulled the pads out and pushed the pistons in with the included yellow tool and gave them a quick bleed on the lever only. Then I reinstalled the pads and did the usual "hold the brake and carefully and slowly tighten the caliper screws". I guess carefully and slowly is the key to not move the caliper unnecesary.

Now, after a long ride today, I'm happy as they are. The rear spins completely free and on the front there is a barely noticable "rub" when the wheel is in the air on the stand but which is not noticable while riding.

Good to hear. That never seems to work for me.

When you say you did a lever bleed, how do you do that? Just attach a syringe of fluid to the lever and pull/flick the lever a bunch of times to get bubbles out?

 

[Eckythump]

I’m beginning to think it might be the compound used on the pads. I’m back in the alps and having to pull the pads and sand on a daily basis. They run without noise for half a day then they pick up crud from the trails and start to resonate when they lose heat or you are going slow..
in all other respects they are great.

 

[RJUK]

I’m beginning to think it might be the compound used on the pads. I’m back in the alps and having to pull the pads and sand on a daily basis. They run without noise for half a day then they pick up crud from the trails and start to resonate when they lose heat or you are going slow..
in all other respects they are great.

Hmm, if you do try pads, let us know how it goes.

I rode in a very dusty FOD last weekend and had all kinds of grinding noises from my Trinities and some squeaking while on the brakes, but I suspect basically any brake would have been the same. No noises whilst off the brakes though.

I still need to look at the Gustavs at some point once I get more time.

 

[smc_stefan]

Good to hear. That never seems to work for me.

When you say you did a lever bleed, how do you do that? Just attach a syringe of fluid to the lever and pull/flick the lever a bunch of times to get bubbles out?

Exactly, just look up the quick bleed guide on the Magura YouTube channel.