Magura Marta SLs

The Big Cheese
The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
edited August 2007 in MTB buying advice
Thinking of buying a set of these in Red for my Burly XC/AM rig - Was thinking about 185mm Front and 160mm rear from wiggle. I don't really need MASSIVE braking power

I used to have Magura Clara's on my old '99 Scott Team Racing bike and remember having a lot of issues with leaking reservoirs and never really got on with them, but, that was a long time ago. I'm sure Magura have some on leaps and bounds since then...

I have used avid ever since, but I fancy a change. I know they are pricey but that's not a problem..... it's more of a case of having what I want on the bike - and sod the cost :wink:

Does anyone have any experience with these?

Any thoughts would be appreciated....

Cheers :D

Comments

  • RideTheLakes
    RideTheLakes Posts: 209
    I have a pair and think they're overrated. They are superlight but on stopping power they don't even compare to Juicy 7's. I would recommend them for XC use only.

    They are reliable though and have a leak proof guarantee.
    Lake District Mountain Biking
  • Andy
    Andy Posts: 8,207
    In that sort of range have a look at the M970 XTR as well. Best brakes I've ever used.
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    The Marta is designed to be a hyperlight XC brake.

    Cheesey, how about Formula's? Loads of power without the squealing and 'turkey gobbling' noises that's seem a tendency with Avids. Plus I think Formula Oro Puro's look very cool :)
  • the_prophet
    the_prophet Posts: 426
    i'd definatley look elsewhere.

    I've got a set on my xc bike and they are really light and look superb but they aren't powerful enough for anythign heavier than an xc race bike imo.

    I'd look at XTR's for the sort of price range. check ebay can get a full set from hong kong ready to fit for £180 and theres no tax's to pay.... just means you dont have a warranty but it wouldn;t really bother me.
    my canyon slx

    http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy19 ... AG0298.jpg
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    In a bit of a dilemma - tbh I think I liked the look of the Martas and that's it.

    I have narrowed it down to:

    Avid Juicy Ultimates (again - probably for aesthetic purposes)

    Formula Oro Puros (no experience with these whatsoever - but have heard good things)

    Avid Code (185mm front and back - but not sure if these are too much power) - thoughts welcome!

    Saying that - the build is substantially heavier than my XC race bike so need something more substantial - its an AM frame but is surprisingly light, and I shall be running PIKEs

    Shall defo check out XTR on ebay though - keep hearing good things!

    :lol:
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    Wanted something beefy so ended up getting a deal on front and rear Avid Codes 183mm (£240 the pair) - one question (if anyone knows) - do they come pre-bled ready-to-fit?

    Cheers
    :D

    PS: Thanks for all of you input - much appreciated - just thought I'd stick to the brand that I know in the end...... !!
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    Nice One Matey! :) I'm looking forward to hearing how you get on with them. They look well powerful.
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    I've heard they are! Nick mentioned that I could always swap rotors over if need be!

    :D
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    Got the Louises - very relaible and great stopping power. Don't know these though.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    I believe that Louises are slightly more powerful than Martas. I have a pair of the '07 Louises and I'm happy with them so far.
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    The codes turned up today - man they are going to throw me over the handlebars for sure!!! :lol: The calipers are huuuuuge! 4 pistons..... :shock:
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Cheesey wrote:
    The codes turned up today - man they are going to throw me over the handlebars for sure!!! :lol: The calipers are huuuuuge! 4 pistons..... :shock:

    did you not realise?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    Yep, but until they turned up had no idea how big the capliers were!!!! :D

    Pretty cool though, think I will defo put a 160mm rotor on the back I think....!
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    i would go 160 both ends.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    "Whad'we need? MORE POWER!!! :shock:
    Sounds like you'll have quite enough Cheesey :)
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    urrrghh og og og - more power!

    :lol:
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    Nice one matey, I'm really looking forward to hearing how you get on with them. I bet your brake bedding in period will be ace...each time you go out on yer bike the braking will get stronger and stronger! eyeballs out on stalks time methinks :shock: :)

    Go easy though, I bet they'll take some getting used to eh.
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    as soon as you hold them in your hand - forget all about tech specs and the pics you see online etc - THEY ARE WHOPPING BRAKES!!! :lol:

    You may think, "Im running 160s, they (185's) shouldn't be that much different"

    WRONG - they look like they could stop a KTM 450 :lol:

    but they are cool, I will just try not to pull them too sharply, I am taking the bike out Saturday afternoon and will post a report on the effect Codes have on a hardtail!!! LMAO :D
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    get fully kitted up. i was finding them too much on the DH rig at 203mm over braking often.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    nicklouse wrote:
    get fully kitted up. i was finding them too much on the DH rig at 203mm over braking often.

    I intend to :D

    I can see me going over the bars - will probably do as you said earlier and go for 160mm - however - what mounts do i order?
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Cheesey wrote:
    nicklouse wrote:
    get fully kitted up. i was finding them too much on the DH rig at 203mm over braking often.

    I intend to :D

    I can see me going over the bars - will probably do as you said earlier and go for 160mm - however - what mounts do i order?
    the 160mm IS (fork and frame ) to post caliper).

    i plan to replace my codes with Formula's One brakes.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    How comes? Not getting on with them? or too much power :wink:
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    have a look at them

    http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/n ... 1677?img=3

    and i cant get the rear one to stop sounding like 2 stuck pigs. and this is after Sram tec replaced the caliper and pads. the disc and pads and i changed the bearings in the hub.

    i might be changing frame anyway so......
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    They look pretty awesome, I take it they are not available as yet? are they due for release soon?

    I have heard from various sources that the codes make a hell of a racket, on the rear wheel, couple that with my hope Pro II rear hub racket and I will be far from stealth ...... :lol:
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    and to the why. i have oros on 2 other bikes and really get on with them.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    Believe it or not, I was looking at Puros and ended up going with the codes 'cause they were on offer...... let me know how you get on with the new bad boys!!!
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    well i have the K24 160mm on the XC fully and K24 203mm on the FR lite bike. and a mate runs then on his DH rig. so i am looking forward to the new Ones!
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    Well, when I change the juicy carbons on the race bike - I'm either going for the Marta's or Formulas - they certainly look nice and from all of the reviews I have heard they are damn good brakes - to be honest I only know Avid (apart from a very bad set of magura Claras I had back in the day) :wink:
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    i was running avid 7's last year and i would say the oros are better than them and are lighter.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown

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