First Impressions – Magura MDR-P Brake Rotors

The MDR-P rotors meant there wasn’t any fade, noise, shuddering, or vibration coming from the braking system, just an insane amount of power at your fingertips.

The new Magura eStop brake system is based on their existing four-piston MT5 and two-piston MT4 brakes and is optimized for e-bikes, heavy cargo bikes, and gravity use. In concert with the eStop brakes, they have the new Sport 7.S and 8.S organic brake pads, and the MDR-C and MDR-P rotors, which offer increased braking power and heat resistance. The MDR-C is available in 180mm and 203mm sizes, while the two-piece MDR-P comes in a 203mm and a monster 220mm diameter. We tested a full set of the 203mm MDR-P rotors and Sport 8.S pads on some standard MT5 brakes on an Ibis Ripmo 29er.

For additional information, refer to magura.com.

MDR-P Rotors

The MDR-P is a two-piece rotor that features a unique Dovetail Interlink technology that interlocks the outer and inner disc rings (think woodworking). When the outer ring expands from heat, the interlocking mechanism provides additional support and strength for the inner ring. This technology means the torque is transmitted over the entire surface of the system instead of just at the rivets, which is the case with a standard floating disc design. The result is increased rigidity and improved heat dissipation, which is much more effective under continuous and heavier braking loads.

This new technology and design mean that the MDR-P is Magura’s most powerful rotor, with reduced vibration, fade resistance, and with a decent weight for a gravity and e-bike oriented disc. It comes in a 203 mm size (216g), and their first-ever 220 mm size (241g), and they both retail for $75 each.

The new 220 mm size rotor generates around 10% more braking force than a 203 mm model and 20% more than a 180 mm model – for the same manual force. The higher mass also reduces the risk of brake fading and reduces brake pad wear by 15%. The temperatures that are critical for the brake pad are reached much later by the MDR-P rotor.

Sport Brake Pads

The new organic Sport brake pads are suitable for any biking purposes but are mainly focused on e-bikes and gravity usage. The pads are positioned between their Comfort and Performance series pads in terms of their braking performance and durability. The Sport pad mixture is optimally adapted to the requirements of e-bikes and the eSTOP brake models, and they offer shorter braking-in time. They come in a single pad 8.S version for $25 (tested), and a double pad 7.S for $30.

First Impressions

I have run a 180mm system on my bikes for years, so when installing the 203mm rotors, I had to switch out the current calipers adapters. The front PM7 used their fairly standard QM-26 adapter, but the rear PM6 required a newer version of their QM-7, which has a small dimple to accommodate the wider body of the MT5 4-piston caliper. The MDR-P rotors are pretty hefty, especially compared to the weight weenie Magura Storm SL-2 rotors that I had been running, and they offer a substantially more rigid platform.

The rotors and pads bedded in quickly, but it took some downhill sections for the rotors to come into peak performance. They offered some power right from the get-go, but after a few long steep descents, they jumped to the forefront of stopping power. I’ve used the Magura MT5 and MT7 brakes for a long time, with all sorts of their rotors, but I’ve never felt the kind of power and heat resistance that the MDR-P rotors provided.

There wasn’t any fade, noise, shuddering, or vibration coming from the braking system, just an insane amount of power at your fingertips. I did have to learn to use a lighter touch on the rear brake lever since if you pulled with the usual force, it was easy to lock things up. You could control the bike from any speed; pull in handfuls to come to a complete stop or feather down uber steep technical terrain. After you got used to the amount of power on tap if offered an enjoyable riding experience, where braking was precise and controlled no matter the terrain, conditions, or speeds. It took less effort to pull the brake levers, which decreased hand fatigue, and meant you didn’t have to brake as often. The ability to have such impressive braking power wherever and whenever you need it alters your mindset when riding, and makes braking a background activity.

Bottom Line

The innovative dovetail interlocking design between the inner and outer rings of the MDR-P rotors offers increased rigidity, improved heat resistance, and reduced vibration, all of which offer an incredibly powerful and superb performer for a braking system. You can pull in hard for the maximum stoppage, dab as needed to scrub speed, or feather lightly, all with the utmost in precision and control on any terrain.

I am looking forward to continued use of the Magura MDR-P rotors and 8.S pads on my MT5 brakes, especially when I get to toss them on long mountainous descents in the high country of Colorado.