The SRAM Maven brakes have firmly established themselves in the gravity segment since their launch at the beginning of 2024. With their massive four-piston design, large pads and clear focus on maximum braking power, they have become a common choice on many enduro, eMTB and downhill bikes. In our comparison tests in particular, SRAM’s powerful four-pot stopper is usually the most frequently represented brake, which has also led to some issues. Especially in our last enduro and the upcoming eMTB comparison test of our sister magazine E-MOUNTAINBIKE, we had to re-bleed more than half of the standard MAVEN brakes because they struggled with an inconsistent bite point due to air in the system. In addition, the MAVEN features a slight resistance when pulling the lever that has to be overcome. SRAM aim to address precisely this issue with the new MAVEN.
The new MAVEN Ultimate brake is now priced at € 325, while the Silver model retails for € 290.
The new SRAM MAVEN in detail
At the centre of the update is clearly the new SwingLink, i.e. the brake lever linkage. The goal of the upgrade was to achieve a lighter lever feel without breakaway torque, which is intended to improve modulation. The hydraulic stroke has been shortened, while more mechanical stroke is generated at the end of the lever travel. This is designed to create a more defined ramp-up and allow the brake to build pressure more clearly in the final third of the lever stroke. As a result, the lever’s breakaway torque is reduced from 8 to 4.25 Nm.
The Ultimate model additionally features a new carbon lever. Visually, the new models differ only slightly, but upon closer inspection they can be identified by the gold SwingLink linkage. The Silver model receives a black aluminium lever with cut-out and also the new SwingLink.
There have also been minor changes to the calliper, although the basic architecture remains the same. However, the diameters of the four pistons have been adjusted to 18 mm each. The previous MAVEN model relies on two 18 mm pistons and two 19.5 mm pistons. This adjustment was necessary to adapt the hydraulic leverage ratio to the new SwingLinks.
Apart from that, nothing fundamental has changed on the Maven. You can find all further details on construction, classification and performance of the MAVEN in the major brake comparison test of our sister magazine.
The SRAM MAVEN upgrade kit
Existing MAVEN models of the A1 generation can also be brought up to date. The new gold B1 SwingLink is fully backward compatible, allowing owners of the Maven Ultimate, Silver and Bronze to retrofit their brake with the new lever feel. Ultimate and Silver kits are compatible with each other, while the Bronze version receives its own set. The conversion takes around ten minutes and does not require re-bleeding – cool! The upgrade kit for the Ultimate and Silver versions costs € 120.
With the upgrade kit, the original calliper architecture with two 18 mm and two 19.5 mm pistons naturally remains in place. This means that the hydraulic leverage ratio doesn’t exactly match that of the new B1 generation with four 18 mm pistons, though in practice this should hardly matter. The improved lever feel is primarily generated by the new SwingLink, not by the piston dimensions.
The SRAM MAVEN Ultimate brakes first ride test
We have been able to test the new SRAM MAVEN Ultimate brakes since the beginning of December, both on an enduro bike and on a downhill bike in Queenstown, New Zealand. With the new SwingLink, actuating the brake lever feels noticeably lighter, and the previous slight resistance at the beginning has largely disappeared. Whether this is necessary ultimately comes down to personal preference. For example, those who already ride with a slightly pulled lever are usually already beyond the breakaway point on the previous model. Nevertheless, the update is welcome, as modulation improves slightly and many riders will appreciate the reduced breakaway torque. There’s no longer any noticeable resistance to overcome that previously could tempt you to apply more force than intended and then suddenly brake too hard. However, whether the OEM installation issues – which led to frequent re-bleeding of the brakes – will be resolved in the future remains to be seen.
Conclusions about the new SRAM MAVEN Ultimate brakes
With the SwingLink tuning, the new SRAM MAVEN offer a noticeably lighter and more homogeneous lever feel. The harsh resistance at the beginning has largely disappeared, which improves modulation – even if this was not necessarily a problem in the past. The fundamental character and power remain unchanged. Not a radical restart, but a sensible fine-tuning that makes one of the most powerful gravity brakes a little more refined.
Tops
- Lower lever forces
- No noticeable breakaway torque anymore
Flops
- OEM brakes sometimes improperly installed / bled
For more information, visit the SRAM website.
Words: Peter Walker Photos: Sven Martin, Callum Wood
About the Author
Peter Walker
As the Editor-in-chief of ENDURO, Peter is as much a man of action as he is of words. This expert, screw-driver-flexing two wheeled-whizz has many envy-inducing characteristics, including a background in motocross, several EWS race plates to his name, and more than 150 recorded days at Whistler Bike Park. However complex the bike and however steep the trail, he’s probably already nailed it, twice. Oh, and he can do it all on skinny tyres too. When it comes to guiding consumers, Peter cut his teeth at Vancouver’s oldest bike shop and now puts pen to paper on the daily translating this know-how into our editorial plan. When not tearing up Stuttgart’s local trails while testing bikes, he loves nothing more than loading up his self-renovated VW T5 and hitting the road. The fact that he’s a trained paramedic gives his colleagues reassurance out on the trails. So far we haven’t had to call him by his alias ‘Sani Peter’, so here’s hoping he keeps it right side up for the rest of his time here!
