Lab Testing
Modern disc brakes are all now ridiculously powerful, offering insane levels of braking torque from just a single finger. In order to expose any weaknesses, we had to push them to the limit, which is impossible to do safely on the trail! We took the testing to Hope Technology’s in-house development laboratory in Barnoldswick, where we analysed each brake using a sophisticated computer-controlled dynamometer, measuring every parameter with scrupulous accuracy.
Sensors measured pad, disk, and caliper temperatures, while braking torque was calculated from the hot and screaming brakes. Human preconceptions and bias were removed from the equation and weaknesses shouted out loud. In the lab, brakes were tested with OEM pads and their dedicated 180-millimeter rotors, with a consistent lever pressure of 50 newtons.
The protocol
After a sixty-cycle bedding-in process, the computer simulated repeated hard braking cycles from 30 to 15 km/h (representative of normal riding), allowing us to measure the power and deceleration time in normal use. Then the air filled with an acrid stench as we took it to the max. Glowing red and spitting sparks, the brakes were decelerated hard and repeatedly from 45 to 0 km/h; this is a brutal test designed to bring on ‘fade’ (gas produced from hot pad resin, decreasing friction) and see how the caliper handled the heat buildup.
| Brake Model | Average Power Nm | Deceleration time 30 – 15 kph (seconds) | Deceleration time 45 – 0 kph (seconds) | 45 – 0 % Fade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hope Tech 3 E4 organic | 101.0 | 1.3 | 6.5 | 23 % |
| Magura MT4 | 81.3 | 2.0 | 7.9 | 19 % |
| Magura MT5 | 110.1 | 1.2 | 7.6 | 17 % |
| Shimano Saint | 116.0 | 1.2 | 7.0 | 21 % |
| Shimano Deore XT | 91.0 | 1.6 | 6.2 | 7 % |
| Shimano XTR | 94.5 | 1.6 | 6.2 | 8 % |
| SRAM Guide Ultimate | 76.8 | 2.0 | 8.1 | 19 % |
| SRAM Guide RE | 112 | 1.3 | 7.1 | 32 % |
Results of lab testing
As scorched rotors and faded pads filled the test bench, we finally had our results. In the lab, the standout performers when it came to absolute power were the Shimano Saint, frequently delivering power in excess of 120 Nm, with impressive deceleration times. Not too far behind were the rest of the big hitters, the SRAM Guide RE and Magura MT5, which showed brutal levels of power and deceleration. When it came to fade resistance, the Magura MT5 had the edge, but both the SRAM and the Magura were exceptional in the ‘real world’ 30-15 kph test. The surprises of the day were the Shimano XT and XTR, which both showed very consistent performance for a two-piston brake, with almost no fade!
Should I buy sintered or organic Pads?
It is a question often asked when buying new brake pads. To give you the answer, we put the same Hope Tech 3 E4 brake through a lab test with both sintered and organic pads (with a change of rotor in between). Organic pads provided more power (101 Nm vs. 92 Nm) and faster deceleration (1.32 vs. 1.47 seconds) in the normal usage test (30 to 15 kph), but sintered pads were much more resistant to fade (0% vs. 21%) in the hot 45 to 0 kph test. If you like a faster bite and quieter operation, organic pads are the best. However, for heavier E-MTBs, we would suggest that sintered pads will perform better for longer. E-MOUNTAINBIKE pro tip: for the ultimate setup, try an organic pad in the front and sintered pad in the rear for the best of both worlds.
E-MOUNTAINBIKE-Pro-Tip: for the ultimate setup try an Organic pad in the front and Sintered pad in the rear for the best of both worlds.
| Brake Model | Average Power [Nm] | Deceleration time 30 – 15 kph [Sec.] | Deceleration time 45 – 0 kph [Sec.] | 45 – 0 % Fade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hope Tech 3 E4 organic | 101.0 | 1.3 | 6.5 | 23 % |
| Hope Tech 3 E4 sintered | 92.0 | 1.5 | 4.7 | – |
Trail testing
“Power is nothing without control,” and a tyre can only put down so much braking torque before grip is exceeded and things get rowdy. The best brake is one that allows you to put down ‘just enough’ power to provide maximum deceleration without initiating a skid — and that requires modulation. In order to see which brake could deliver power smoothly, our six-strong test team rode each brake for at least four months to separate the good from the great. From home trails in Scotland to lift riding in the Alps, we pushed them to the limit!
