Product Preview – Magura MT2 Hydraulic Brake

The Magura MT2 is the entry level hydraulic brake from the venerable German brake manufacturer and we’ve got a set to test!

Like all the brakes in the MT line the MT2 uses a full hydraulic system with a dual piston, floating caliper. In fact, all the brakes are mechanically the same. More $$ get you less weight with higher-tech materials but, according to Magura, the MT2 delivers the same braking power and optimum lever geometry as the models toward the top end of the range. The tested MT2s retail for a very thrifty $104.00 per axle

The brake lever/master is a symmetrical design so it works for both front or rear. I’m not exactly sure what CARBOTECTURE® is but the brake lever and master are made from it and it is fancy enough for Magura to have registered the name as a trademark so it must be good stuff! There is a Torx fitting for the Easy Bleed Technology (EBT) set up on the reservoir. The dual bolt clamp should make it easy to mount without even taking off the shifter or grips although I use ODI lock-ons so this is more of a time saver than a must-have but they are built it in, so there you go.

Both brake sets I got came with a long enough cable to use for as a rear brake at 1800mm and are intended to be shortened by the shop or customer installer and this is the standard across the line. Magura will supply an even longer brake line if needed.

Instead of DOT fluid used by most other hydro makers, Magura brakes use Mineral Oil called Royal Blood. Mineral oil does not absorb water resulting in less need for bleeding and it is not toxic unlike DOT fluid. Plus, it is paint friendly if you happen to get a bit on your bikes finish in the rare event that you need the system bled.

The entire brake system including a 160mm rotor tipped out scales at 350g.

I get why mechanical disc brakes like the Avid BB7 became the standard bearer for fat-bikes when the majority of fat-bikes were ridden in very remote areas and trailside serviceability was a concern. Heck, I’ve used them myself and like BB7s but the advantages of hydros are too many to dismiss them for fat-bike use. A problem we aim to shed some light on here.

We are setting these brakes up on a prototype Schlick Cycles Tatanka and will follow up this Product Preview with a full test in a few weeks.

This product was given to us at no charge for reviewing. We were not paid or bribed to give this review and it will have my honest opinion or thoughts throughout.

8 Comments

  1. The need for cable brakes is the biggest fat bike myth out there. I previously bought into it but this year finally went with hydros without a single issue. I’ve used Magura and Shimano mineral oil brakes at temps down to -40.

    Hydros feel and perform SO much better, especially in the cold.

  2. Hydraulic anything is at risk in the cold…you would be asking for trouble? The price and looks of these breaks is sweet and would/will be a good addition to my fatbike for spring/summer/fall riding. I have years of experience in the mobile service industry and cold hydraulics is a huge risk. You can’t warm them up or replace a seal in the middle of the Arrowhead…Who rides fast enough on snow covered trails to need one finger breaking?

  3. I hope the hydros withstand some cold temps…I am looking forward to the review. I would look at upgrading to the MT2 if they work well.

  4. It would require awfully low / cold temps to have a detrimental effect. How low I cannot say for certain but here in the NV desert it gets down to 0 for days at a time in the middle of winter with no ill effects.

  5. Hi!
    Where can i find this Tatanka test of the MT2’s.
    I also have one question: if there is let’s say 6-10 inches of snow and it’s rideable with my MTB, but more struggle than fun, would it be fun on a fat bike or pretty much the same. I mean, would i need less power on pedals and go smoother on fattys?
    Thanks

  6. Any update on the brake test? I used Avid BB7’s years ago on a non-fat bike and they were by far the worst brake I’ve ever used. They left me stranded more than once on the trail – I don’t see how cable brakes are more reliable or fixable in the “wild.” I’m building a fat bike now and plan on using Magura hydro brakes (a spare set that I already have). If there are any legitimate concerns with hydro brakes in the winter I’d like to know.

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