It seems that we’ve been missing out though… and the experience with these brakes on the Cube Stereo Hybrid HPA 160 and Moustache Samedi e-bikes had us talking. These German stoppers were exceptional performers and we ordered both the MT5 and MT7 brakes in for further testing. Fast forward six months and they’ve found a slot in this year’s Dirt 100…

The MT5 and MT7 are the two models that sit in Magura’s range of gravity brakes, with a special edition Danny MacAskill version of the MT7 available too. The MT5 is basically a cheaper version of the MT7 but both brakes use a four pot calliper and run on Magura’s low viscosity mineral called Royal Blood and share very similar characteristics and feel. Built in their German factory, both models have a very well engineered look and feel, with plenty of the brand’s motorcycle braking tech and thinking in their design.

‘It almost feels like your fingers are on the discs, so sensitive is the feeling. Simply superb’

The MT7 really is the one to go for if funds allow but we really do love everything about both these brakes. Primarily it’s the sensory stuff that this Magura brake is simply so good at. There’s a super sensitive connectivity between lever and disc, which no other brake manufacturer offers quite like.

The materials feel right, the lever shape is spot on and stiffness/flex is excellent too. As we’ve found with heavy e-mtb’s the power delivery is consistent, precise and reliable. It’s all you need in a brake on a downhill bike or e-bike.