Magura MT7 Pro 2021
Reviews / Brakes
160,174
At a glance
Magura’s top end stoppers the MT7’s are becoming a classic choice for people searching for power and modulation. Available in both two and four piston options and a wide range of lever options this is the most customizable brake out there.
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About the brand
Magura has been in the brake business since 1893. No, that is not a typo! This is also the year Thomas Edison finishes constructing the world's first motion picture. Founder Gustav Magenwirth, born in 1866, was an apprentice and later an employee of Karl Benz (you know that name in combination with Mercedes).
Gustav Magenwirth invented one of the milestones in the company’s history, the straight-pull control lever blade for motorcycles, which led to a cooperation with BMW in the motorcycle sector that still exists today. Magenwirth later became a manufacturer of engines, hydraulic pumps, plastics as well as motorcycle & bicycle components.
Plenty of history there, but what’s the big M’s stance on sustainability? Sadly there is very little to be found on this. The packaging is not made from recycled materials, uses plastics and also on their corporate website the only thing we could find is that they “engage in active and effective environmental protection by making economic use of resources and low emission and low waste production technologies”. That’s great, but in 2022 we would like to see some more details on their goals, achievements and methods.
The product
When it’s good enough for the likes of Loic Bruni and Danny Mac, there’s a decent chance they’re good enough for most of the riders out there. But we don’t have to take their word for it, it’s always better to give some products a good test, especially when we don’t have a team of pro mechanics around to keep things running smoothly.
The MT7 4 piston brake is the flagship of the Magura stables. 4 big pistons providing the stopping power, the brake lever providing the modulation and their organic brake pads sorting out the friction side of things. The brakes come with a ton of options. Besides the stock levers, there are a number of different levers available to provide more power, more modulation or a carbon version for the weight weenies.
Mounting them is a breeze, but when it comes to bleeding the brakes you might struggle a little more than with other brands. I suspect due to the shape of the caliper and lever, it 's prone to have some small air bubbles stuck in there if you’re not careful. Make sure to watch their excellent YouTube video, and give a series of little taps on the lever and caliper when bleeding to make sure all air gets out.
Once mounted, there is no more need for bleeding. Even when the brake pads start wearing out, the pressure point at the lever does not fade or change at all. The reach on the levers are easy to fine tune to your wishes. As they use mineral oil, there is no need to replace your brake fluid either. (DOT based oil is known to absorb water, diminishing brake power over time).
Out on the trail
After embedding in the pads, these brakes really show their muscles. The best thing is, the power is always there too. Right at the top of the hill or after 1500m of descending, they always deliver. The second best bit is the modulation. Where some brakes feel like an on off switch, the MT7s are really controllable. If you pull hard they bite hard, but if you feather the brakes they really are easy to control.
How something performs new out of the box is one thing, but how they hold up over time is a different story. On this front the Magura’s are quite low maintenance. The system is well sealed, so there is no need for bleeding the brakes over time. The mineral oil does not absorb water, so there is no fading either. The only thing we noticed is that the calipers like a good clean every now and then. Brake dust builds up and over time prevents the pistons from moving freely. Not sure when to do this? The brakes start warning you ‘automatically’ as you can start hearing some brake rubbing noises. But of course it’s better to do a clean before this happens.
Verdict
You like power? You like modulation? You want adjustability? The MT7’s are for you. They are one of the most powerful brakes on the market and weighing in at 255 grams per wheel they’re pretty light too. When ordering, make sure to go for the 203mm front and rear sizing of their high end MDR-P discs to get the maximum performance in those long steep descents.
Buy Brakes onThis review was in Issue 68 of IMB.
For more information visit MaguraRelated
By Jarno Hoogland
Jarno's life has revolved around two wheels ever since he swung a leg over his first BMX at age 4. After a BMX and DH racing career, he moved on to work for bike shops, distributors and brands before ending up in the editors seat at IMB. Based in the ultimate testing ground in the Swiss mountains, he runs his guiding operation and makes sure every IMB issue is filled with top notch content.
