I switched from running Code RSCs for the last 6 years or so this year to DHR EVOs and I love them. I tried a friend's bike w/Mavens and I didn't like, what I felt to be, more initial force in the lever stroke that was needed to get them moving. I also noticed less arm pump w/the EVOs as i'm not having to pull them anywhere near as hard as the Codes. Love the EVOs. Thanks for the review, sick trail!
Never used Mavens. But I've been the 3 of SRAM's previous "top of the line brakes". They are all terrible compared to my TRP DHR Evos. I'm done with SRAM brakes for good. The only thing I don't like about the TRP is the rotors are slightly thicker so they are that much harder to get perfect with pads w/o rubbing.
Love your reviews on freehub love them here. Your review sold me on getting an insurgent. Just demoed these brakes in whistler and loved them! Already ordered a set for my dh bike.
Hey Spencer, as always nice video. I enjoy watching your stuff. I'm a heavier Rider (90kg + Gear) and ride the 4 Piston XT-Brakes. Always struggled with the 200mm stock rotors up front. Switched to the 223mm Galfer rotors and purple pads (created for E-Bikes). Now i have the nice lever feel of the Shimanos and a crazy amount of breaking power. The feel of the breaking it self changed a little. If i tried to discribe it, i would say the pads seem to have more grip on the rotors. Even my buddies (all of them convinced by their own setup) tested mine and were amazed. I can only recommend trying this "cheaper" change before buying a complete new set of brakes, what might cost way more than the generic set of XTs or Srams (everybody wants to "upgrade" if they invest). Another bonus of the "bigbrandbrakes" is that everywhere you go, a bikeshop is able to help you out. I imagine that if i entered a bikeshop anywhere with some exotic type of brakes (like Hayes, TRP, Trickstuff, etc.) they might not be able to help me out with a broken lever or something like that. Best wishes from Germany and keep up the good work and riding.
@@SpencerAstraPOV I am no engineer but i think it simply is the design and maybe a different material. The surface seems to be rougher than the xt ones. Another benefit of the Galfer rotors is the price. I think in Germany they are cheaper than the shimanos.
I managed to get a set of the limited edition Maven box sets at the start of the spring and have spent a fair bit of time on them. I didn’t love previous SRAM brakes but these are something special. I’m running metallic pads with 200 mm rotors front and rear and the power and control are so good. Yet, it’s the CONSISTENCY of these brakes over long descents that set them apart from everything else. The larger calliper makes heat management a nonissue. The bite feels the same no matter what. I rode a full day at Prevost on 180 mm rotors with organic pads and, even though they were literally smoking hot, the lever feel never changed from top to bottom. Very impressive. Also, that trail looks amazing. Let’s do a prisoner exchange: I’ll show you the best trails on Vancouver Island if you show me around Bellingham. 😊
Good to hear, I'm especially happy to hear that they stay consistent when they're hot. I remember cods feeling awful when they got hot. Happy to exchange local tours some day!
The Maven's is actually one of the brakes I consider as a replacement for my Shimano M8120 brakes because I just don't trust Shimano brakes anymore(too much failure and inconsistency in feel and what not...) I just wish I could at least test the feel of the lever pull first because that is the most important part for me. Hopefully one of the local shops will have them installed at some point, so we'll see...
Just put ultimates on my stumpy evo… and wow, they really are powerful. I have had to mentally recalibrate by braking zones particularly in rocky technical sections, since you lose speed so much quicker than with codes. Love being able to brake later with less grip effort.
I rode the db8s on a rental in whistler and loved the lever feel, no bite point issues or overheating or arm pump over 4 days. I’m also a lighter rider so don’t need the maven power
I used to be a sucker for powerful brakes but after riding for a few years my priorities completely shifted towards consistency and lever feel. Imo any brake that needs constant maintainance belongs right in the trash. I dont pay for components to constantly repair them, but to use them.
@@SpencerAstraPOV Formula Cura with aftermarket levers that have ball bearings. I also swapped out the hydraulic quick couplers for standard fittings. They are very reliable and the bite point is extremely crisp, especially with the aftermarket levers. Not all is perfect though. The O-Rings on the bleed screws suffer from slight gap extrusion, which is why I always have a pack of 3.8x1mm NBR O-Rings on hand. They might have fixed this though, my brakes are from 2017. When they were new, the free stroke was about 14mm. The front brake is still at 14mm, while the rear is at ~25mm. Since swapping the piston seals didnt do anything, I didnt really know what to make of it. Overall they are reliable, but the dissimilar free stroke is annoying. We will see, maybe one day I will be ready to just throw more money at brakes and hope it works out.
Spencer, love your videos! Question for you, if you were spending your own money, which would you go for, the Mavens or the Dominions? (I'm 3 minutes in so apologies if you cover this shortly, but I had to get the question / comment written out before I forgot)
Right now, I think I'm going Mavens. They're actually so good on the Evil Wreckoning I have right now it really has me questioning my XTRs which I've loved.
@@SpencerAstraPOV I have the Insurgent MX (which you greatly contributed to me purchasing I might add) and I have just ordered the Mavens, based on this review - you need some commission dude! Thanks for your awesome videos.
Like you I'm a shimano 4 pot fan. I have these on my new bike and like them alot. Yes lever pull is more than shimano but it's not bad like some reviews have said. Curious if your on organic or sintered pads? Looking at your levers seems your far out on lever and assuming more inward setting on bite point adjustment wheel? Still experimenting to find lightest levwer feel with most power on tap and not have to pull to far back.
These pads looked Sintered to me. In my Shimanos I always run sintered. I honestly didn't put too much though into the lever setup other than making them contact at the distance I like from the bars. It could be a good thing to play with to have them bite quicker to reduce and pull fatigue.
I think they take a bit of getting used to, but I find I appreciate the power more than being afraid of it. The SRAM have always had a slow ramp up in power and even with the immense power of these Mavens they feel controllable to me. You can always downsize rotors too!
Thats weird cause i think they overhyped. I used galfer on my car and my mtb and they worse then other pads. Trickstuff is way better so i dont get the hype. Gaöfer green same power as the other colors so for me all the same. And not mentioning the galfer wave being bend first ride. Glsd u like it but i read so much and tried and didnt work for me. 👌
@@SpencerAstraPOV For me a thicker rotor actually helped a lot. I have some SRAM HS2 before that I had Shimano XT IceTech Frezza. Perhaps the only difference is that I have XT's rather then XTR.
@@SpencerAstraPOV I have SLX brakes with Galfer shark 2mm thick 180mm rotor and Purple e bike pad. Rode some BC steeps for 1200m (4000ft) descend on my 140mm trail bike and never been able to cook them and plenty of power. Would recommend. On my firebird I have the 203mm shark, purple E bike pad and love them as well paired with the TRPs
@@SpencerAstraPOV Spencer you should try to get your hands on Sinter(google Sinter Brakes) green brake pads for your XTR. There was a huge brake test/review done by the enduro-mtb website a few months ago and the Sinter green pads boosted the brake torque on the XTR brakes by a pretty good amount.
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I switched from running Code RSCs for the last 6 years or so this year to DHR EVOs and I love them. I tried a friend's bike w/Mavens and I didn't like, what I felt to be, more initial force in the lever stroke that was needed to get them moving. I also noticed less arm pump w/the EVOs as i'm not having to pull them anywhere near as hard as the Codes. Love the EVOs. Thanks for the review, sick trail!
Yeah, that's interesting. I really wonder if there are some sticky master cylinders out there!
Never used Mavens. But I've been the 3 of SRAM's previous "top of the line brakes". They are all terrible compared to my TRP DHR Evos. I'm done with SRAM brakes for good. The only thing I don't like about the TRP is the rotors are slightly thicker so they are that much harder to get perfect with pads w/o rubbing.
Love your reviews on freehub love them here. Your review sold me on getting an insurgent. Just demoed these brakes in whistler and loved them! Already ordered a set for my dh bike.
Thanks, dude! Enjoy the power 💪🏻
Hey Spencer,
as always nice video. I enjoy watching your stuff.
I'm a heavier Rider (90kg + Gear) and ride the 4 Piston XT-Brakes. Always struggled with the 200mm stock rotors up front. Switched to the 223mm Galfer rotors and purple pads (created for E-Bikes). Now i have the nice lever feel of the Shimanos and a crazy amount of breaking power. The feel of the breaking it self changed a little. If i tried to discribe it, i would say the pads seem to have more grip on the rotors.
Even my buddies (all of them convinced by their own setup) tested mine and were amazed.
I can only recommend trying this "cheaper" change before buying a complete new set of brakes, what might cost way more than the generic set of XTs or Srams (everybody wants to "upgrade" if they invest). Another bonus of the "bigbrandbrakes" is that everywhere you go, a bikeshop is able to help you out. I imagine that if i entered a bikeshop anywhere with some exotic type of brakes (like Hayes, TRP, Trickstuff, etc.) they might not be able to help me out with a broken lever or something like that.
Best wishes from Germany and keep up the good work and riding.
Awesome, thanks for sharing! when it came to the Galfer rotors was it just the diameter that seemed important? Or was the design/width important?
@@SpencerAstraPOV I am no engineer but i think it simply is the design and maybe a different material. The surface seems to be rougher than the xt ones.
Another benefit of the Galfer rotors is the price. I think in Germany they are cheaper than the shimanos.
@@klexboo1910 Thanks for sharing!
Hayes Dominion are incredible. Huge power and consistent
Yeah they still have a better lever feel than the mavens for sure.
Love your videos! Your freehub review made me buy the Insurgent V3 and I love it! Maybe you can do longer videos?
I managed to get a set of the limited edition Maven box sets at the start of the spring and have spent a fair bit of time on them. I didn’t love previous SRAM brakes but these are something special. I’m running metallic pads with 200 mm rotors front and rear and the power and control are so good. Yet, it’s the CONSISTENCY of these brakes over long descents that set them apart from everything else. The larger calliper makes heat management a nonissue. The bite feels the same no matter what. I rode a full day at Prevost on 180 mm rotors with organic pads and, even though they were literally smoking hot, the lever feel never changed from top to bottom. Very impressive.
Also, that trail looks amazing. Let’s do a prisoner exchange: I’ll show you the best trails on Vancouver Island if you show me around Bellingham. 😊
Good to hear, I'm especially happy to hear that they stay consistent when they're hot. I remember cods feeling awful when they got hot. Happy to exchange local tours some day!
The Maven's is actually one of the brakes I consider as a replacement for my Shimano M8120 brakes because I just don't trust Shimano brakes anymore(too much failure and inconsistency in feel and what not...)
I just wish I could at least test the feel of the lever pull first because that is the most important part for me. Hopefully one of the local shops will have them installed at some point, so we'll see...
As a pretty heavy rider (130kg) I can´t wait to try maven x schwalbert combination the amount of grip I can finally achieve, or atleast I hope so.
Dude, same, I haven't put that combo together yet, but it makes me curious.
Just put ultimates on my stumpy evo… and wow, they really are powerful. I have had to mentally recalibrate by braking zones particularly in rocky technical sections, since you lose speed so much quicker than with codes. Love being able to brake later with less grip effort.
On the bronze I've tested the pull force on 200 discs was inferior to the first lauch edition set I tested, I wonder if they tweaked something 🤔
I rode the db8s on a rental in whistler and loved the lever feel, no bite point issues or overheating or arm pump over 4 days. I’m also a lighter rider so don’t need the maven power
That WRECKER!
Yeah, it's been a while. Love it!
I used to be a sucker for powerful brakes but after riding for a few years my priorities completely shifted towards consistency and lever feel.
Imo any brake that needs constant maintainance belongs right in the trash. I dont pay for components to constantly repair them, but to use them.
What brakes do you run then?
@@SpencerAstraPOV Formula Cura with aftermarket levers that have ball bearings. I also swapped out the hydraulic quick couplers for standard fittings.
They are very reliable and the bite point is extremely crisp, especially with the aftermarket levers.
Not all is perfect though. The O-Rings on the bleed screws suffer from slight gap extrusion, which is why I always have a pack of 3.8x1mm NBR O-Rings on hand. They might have fixed this though, my brakes are from 2017. When they were new, the free stroke was about 14mm. The front brake is still at 14mm, while the rear is at ~25mm. Since swapping the piston seals didnt do anything, I didnt really know what to make of it.
Overall they are reliable, but the dissimilar free stroke is annoying. We will see, maybe one day I will be ready to just throw more money at brakes and hope it works out.
Thank you for sharing and the brake inputs. love it. SUBSCRIBED!!
Spencer, love your videos! Question for you, if you were spending your own money, which would you go for, the Mavens or the Dominions? (I'm 3 minutes in so apologies if you cover this shortly, but I had to get the question / comment written out before I forgot)
Right now, I think I'm going Mavens. They're actually so good on the Evil Wreckoning I have right now it really has me questioning my XTRs which I've loved.
@@SpencerAstraPOV I have the Insurgent MX (which you greatly contributed to me purchasing I might add) and I have just ordered the Mavens, based on this review - you need some commission dude! Thanks for your awesome videos.
Like you I'm a shimano 4 pot fan. I have these on my new bike and like them alot. Yes lever pull is more than shimano but it's not bad like some reviews have said.
Curious if your on organic or sintered pads?
Looking at your levers seems your far out on lever and assuming more inward setting on bite point adjustment wheel? Still experimenting to find lightest levwer feel with most power on tap and not have to pull to far back.
These pads looked Sintered to me. In my Shimanos I always run sintered. I honestly didn't put too much though into the lever setup other than making them contact at the distance I like from the bars. It could be a good thing to play with to have them bite quicker to reduce and pull fatigue.
Have these brakes ever felt too powerful? I've been looking at these brakes for awhile, I just dont know if its to much for trail/Enduro riding
I think they take a bit of getting used to, but I find I appreciate the power more than being afraid of it. The SRAM have always had a slow ramp up in power and even with the immense power of these Mavens they feel controllable to me. You can always downsize rotors too!
what pads and shorts are those?
Oakley kneepads and yeti shorts
What trail is that ?
It's unsanctioned, so I'd prefer not to say, sorry!
@@SpencerAstraPOV thank you for not blowing up the zone
Try your XTs with Galfer rotors and pads. You’ll never go back.
Okay! any particular models? I'm running MTX gold pads right now on my XTRs, but I do think thicker rotors could help
Thats weird cause i think they overhyped. I used galfer on my car and my mtb and they worse then other pads. Trickstuff is way better so i dont get the hype. Gaöfer green same power as the other colors so for me all the same. And not mentioning the galfer wave being bend first ride. Glsd u like it but i read so much and tried and didnt work for me. 👌
@@SpencerAstraPOV For me a thicker rotor actually helped a lot. I have some SRAM HS2 before that I had Shimano XT IceTech Frezza. Perhaps the only difference is that I have XT's rather then XTR.
@@SpencerAstraPOV I have SLX brakes with Galfer shark 2mm thick 180mm rotor and Purple e bike pad. Rode some BC steeps for 1200m (4000ft) descend on my 140mm trail bike and never been able to cook them and plenty of power. Would recommend. On my firebird I have the 203mm shark, purple E bike pad and love them as well paired with the TRPs
@@SpencerAstraPOV Spencer you should try to get your hands on Sinter(google Sinter Brakes) green brake pads for your XTR. There was a huge brake test/review done by the enduro-mtb website a few months ago and the Sinter green pads boosted the brake torque on the XTR brakes by a pretty good amount.