Squealing Magura Brakes

[p3eps]

Welcome to Magura Hell. If there's anything Magura needs, either design in more pad clearance or use pad springs to aid retraction, like most other brands of brakes. Also a system that isn't so adept at trapping air when bleeding.

I have 2 sets of MT7 on 2 bikes I ride regularly. I find it shear luck if at least one brake isn't making some kind of squeal. I've been running these brakes for 3 years and all of the problems are just commonplace, just look it up, tons of reports of this.

It's not you, it's not the LBS, it's Magura. They need to refine the design to make life easier on us. Sooner they admit to the flaws, the better. I keep running them for a few reasons:

1. I own 2 sets, have a spare, have multiple rotors, bleed tools and lots of royal blood.
2. The feel of Magura brakes is ideal to me, power comparable to Saints but with excellent modulation.
3. Consistent bite point, no wandering levers, i.e. wandering pistons. Never mushy feeling like some SRAM models.
4. Interchangeable lever blades--this is huge to dial in your own personal ergonomic preference.

I've been fortunate to be running the MT7's for almost 3 years without any issues. Yes, bleeding them when new was a bit of a pain and took a couple of hours to get them air free - but since then, they've been trouble free until now.
I'm in the same boat as you with points 2, 3 and 4!
I love the power and modulation - and always find them to be consistent. I put the carbon levers on mine, which help with cold finger tips during the Scottish winter.

I'm crossing my fingers and toes that they play ball over the weekend, and ride without any shrieking noise!

 

[p3eps]

These ones. Because they shipped today and I don’t need them…..unless I buy another bike
View attachment 101264
View attachment 101263

I thought you were meaning Trickstuff pads

 

[p3eps]

Quick update…

Still suffering with the ribs, so went for a ride round the cycle paths, road and some farm trails - trying to avoid the bumps! Just on 15 miles, and about 300m of elevation - so plenty of braking.
Not a peep from the front brake.

Just back from the same ride again today… however in damp / foggy conditions. No noise from the brake when riding, but a bit shrieky when under braking. The sintered pads have always been a bit shrieky under braking when damp… so it’s all looking good so far.

I’ll call my LBS and cancel my appointment tomorrow. Hopefully that’s the the issue resolved, and I’ll be able to do some real testing in a couple of weeks once fully recovered!

 

[vls]

I had Magura brakes 6 years ago. After a horrible year of permanent squealing I just replaced them with Shimano Deore XT and all my problems ended.

Now I've both the new bike with Magura MT7 breaks and everything started over. So the first thing I am going to do is to replace Magura breaks again for my beloved Shimano Deore XT. BTW, I never experienced any squealing of XT breaks except some tens of seconds after I went through the water. And they brake like hell.

 

[wapper99]

I'm new to Magura brakes, and already hate them very much.
Got Magura MT5 with new Orbea MTB e-bike. Since day 1 front brake is a disaster: it is weak, it does shuttering noise and strong pulsation because of the shape of the rotor (MDR-C CL 180mm), and it squeaks when wet. No, it SQUEEEEAAAAKS!!! all the time, even when it's not raining but just moisty weather. I've tried to bed the pads many times, I've replaced pads with quality alternatives, added tape to the rear of the pads - no help, really.
Rear brake squeaks too but a lot less, no problem with this.

What a shitty stuff it is.
Will probably do the same trick, change to Shimano. Have another MTB with Deore XT brakes and LOVE them, its night and day.

 

[RickBullotta]

Storm HC rotors work best for me with MT brakes. Noise free.

 

[Pentti]

When I replaced aftermarket sintered (no problems on my other bikes) with genuine magura 8.R "RACE" pads, all my problems went away

 

[wapper99]

Storm HC are 6-bolt, but I'm CL. Will order MDR-P rotors, just to give Magura the last chance. Really hate this shutter and I think it's because of the shape of the rotors.

The original pads were green 8.S Sport, supposedly organic, changed them to Kool Stop organic, didn't notice much difference in braking of squeaking.

 

[squeegee]

Storm HC are 6-bolt, but I'm CL. Will order MDR-P rotors, just to give Magura the last chance. Really hate this shutter and I think it's because of the shape of the rotors.

The original pads were green 8.S Sport, supposedly organic, changed them to Kool Stop organic, didn't notice much difference in braking of squeaking.

Just a personal note/input...I've found the MDR-P floating rotors to be the worst for keeping the noise down. Gave these many attempts and finally concluded the floating design + tight pad spacing on Maguras was the issue, at least to best of my knowledge. I've always had best luck with HC storm or MDR-C because are one pc, I don't think the shape of the rotor is your issue.

You didn't mention trying a new MDR-C rotor, maybe the one you have is warped or worn in a way that eliminating the noise isn't possible. I've had rotors that are flat and true, within thickness tolerance but still squeak. When it comes to this issue of noise I have had occasions where only a NEW ROTOR + NEW PADS and a to-the-letter bed-in eliminated noise. Also IMO the 8P (performance) pads are the best for both good power and least noise.

That said, I also have Hayes Dominion A4 brakes which are much less problematic, more power and lighter lever feel. Modulation not as good as Magura. Hayes feel is very Shimano-ish, maybe a couple hairs less on/off feel.

I love the feel of Maguras for most things and the abundance of aftermarket lever shapes but the bleeding and constant fight for proper caliper alignment make them a let down long term. Magura power on steeps and extended braking periods falls well short of Hayes, either due to fade under load or the design, not sure which.

Best budget brake though, Shimano Deore M6120 4 Piston, tons of power for a low price. Nothing fancy but they work.

 

[irie]

.

Best budget brake though, Shimano Deore M6120 4 Piston, tons of power for a low price. Nothing fancy but they work.

Which is what we've had for a couple of years on our 2022 alloy Trek Rails with Shimano D03S organic pads and Swissstop Catalyst Pro 220mm rotors (front and back). No noise, no dramas.

 

[EagerIgor]

Storm HC are 6-bolt, but I'm CL. Will order MDR-P rotors, just to give Magura the last chance. Really hate this shutter and I think it's because of the shape of the rotors.

The original pads were green 8.S Sport, supposedly organic, changed them to Kool Stop organic, didn't notice much difference in braking of squeaking.

In my case I have used the adapter from centerlock to 6 bolt

 

[VWsurfbum]

just to give Magura the last chance. Really hate this shutter and I think it's because of the shape of the rotors.

Sounds like the calliper is sitting too high/low on the rotor? very odd.

 

[p3eps]

I've given up on the Magura's after years and years of persevering.
When they work, they're brilliant... but I've found myself having too many rides ruined by them this year.

I've had several rides where the lever feels pretty solid in the garage, and the same on a few laps round the block.
Fine going up the trail, but within about 2 mins of going down, the lever pulls back against the bar. It still works, but not like it's meant to. I've also had more squealing / rubbing issues... and finally decided to move on.

My Intend Trinity's arrived today - along with rotors and matchmakers (and a toilet roll and some shredded magazines - crazy packaging!!) so I'll be getting them installed for the weekend. The rear is shipped dry so you can install it through frame routing, the hose fixings are re-usable, so no single use banjos, and the hoses can rotate on the lever - so no tangling. Supplied with bleed kit and block - and are marketed as the easiest brakes to bleed ever.
Lots of reviews saying how consistent and reliable they are, so looking forward to that!!

 

[wapper99]

Thanks to all of you for your valuable thoughts.
My bike is almost new, less than 1000km ridden on plain grounds, there's no way the original MDR-C rotors are bent, worn or otherwise unreliable.
I measured the pads, the height of the braking surface is 16mm, but the height of the rotor in its narrowest point is just 11.8mm. So about 3-4mm on the pads' usable height is used "intermittenly", causing uneven braking and stutter. At least I think so. MDR-P is free from this, its braking area is completely round, no fancy cutouts like in MDR-C or Storm HC.
Will reports later if it will fix my complaints.