Magura’s flagship four-piston MT7 hydraulic disc brake has incredible power, superb modulation and offers precise braking and control, with highlights to its feathering capabilities and lever feel. Magura USA just turned 45 years old, and to celebrate, they’re releasing a 45th Anniversary Edition of the MT7, and it comes with their adjustable 1-finger HC3 lever and special orange graphics.
The brakes use an open hydraulic system, using their Royal Blood mineral oil for hydraulic fluid. They use a carbon integrated reservoir, aluminum lever, clamp, and a one-piece alloy caliper with magnetic pistons for the pads. They weigh 268 grams, retail for $299 each, come with a 5-year leak-proof guarantee, and have 2200mm of tubing.
Reservoir
They create the Carbotecture SL radial master cylinder by injecting their proprietary Carbotecture material, short or mid-length carbon fibers in a thermoplastic matrix, into a mold. The fibers are aligned to optimize strength and lightness under extreme heat and high pressure using their Carboflow Process. The flip-flop designed Carbotecture body attaches to the bar with a split handlebar clamp. It uses their EBT (easy bleed technology), which has a mirror-imaged bleed port on either side of the body for simplified installation.
Caliper
The forged one-piece aluminum caliper has a 74mm post-mount design, an adjustable banjo/hose fitting, and uses two Duroplastic injections molded composite 17mm pistons for less heat transfer to the brake fluid. The pistons use their magnetiX system, which utilizes an embedded high-powered magnet to hold the pads in place.
HC3 Lever
The HC3 (HC for Hard Core) brake lever has a ‘Reach Adjust’ that uses their newly designed ergonomic 1-finger brake blade and can be adjusted with a 3mm Hex key to tune to the user’s hand size desired reach. It also has a ‘Ratio Adjust,’ which allows adjustment of the lever amplification ratio or mechanical leverage ratio utilizing a T25 Hex key. The manual adjustment of the mechanical leverage ratio was designed to allow an individual to set up the braking force required, combined with a perfect pressure point.
The blade’s redesigned shape has a bigger or wider contact area by the middle finger, so when pulling the lever to the handlebar, the fingers won’t be pinched.
To alter or adjust the leverage ratio, use a T25 Hex key on the blade’s inner edge, and rotate the tool in the appropriate direction. You can match up the plunger lines to sync each side of the bike or leave them different depending on your requirements.
Turning in the ‘+’ direction (closer to the levers pivot point) creates higher mechanical leverage with an improved braking power, which is ideal for dry conditions where excellent traction, grip, and braking will be encountered. On the other hand, turning it in the ‘-‘ direction (moving away from the pivot point) decreases the power and improves modulation, helping in wet and slippery conditions.
I played with the ratio adjuster and spent a lot of time going back and forth to find what felt the best. After a couple of weeks playing with things on all sorts of terrain and in varying conditions, I mostly preferred them at the highest leverage ratio for the greatest braking power, even though it might lock the rear up on occasion. The HC3 has a much snappier feel and quicker engagement substantially due to the shorter lever arm and decreased length. The wide ergonomic end slot made it easy to instantly and effortlessly grab the brakes.
To alter them reach adjustment, use a 3mm Hex key in the middle front of the blade to tune to the user’s hand size and desired reach.
Turn the Hex key, and the outer blade will move outward or inward, and match up the lines on the top to sync each side of the bike. I prefer my levers with a lot of reach, so I put the HC3 at its maximum setting and left it there.
SL.2 Rotors
The 180mm SL.2 rotors provide outstanding all-around performance and durability in a lightweight package. In contrast, the 8.P Performance pads feature their resin base with suspended brass particles for a responsive bite and aggressive power with good longevity. Compared to their beefier rotors, the Laser cut high-grade steel SL.2 has an increased number of perforations that are more open for weight savings and feel. I will try the gravity oriented two-piece MDR-P next and see how they function with the MT7 and HC3 system.
Bottom Line
The MT7 features their Carbotecture SL master body, the HC3 aluminum lever, and a forged alloy caliper with four Duroplastic pistons with an embedded high-powered magnet to hold the pads in place. The brakes have a superb tactile feel, which gives rise to an incredible touch, control, and communication, especially in technical terrain. The MT7’s offer excellent modulation and off the chart power and heat resistance, and the rotor’s spin drag-free through the calipers. The caliper’s design and four-piston layouts made them the quietest brake I have ridden, and even getting them scorching hot on long steep downhills never changed their silent characteristic. They’re relatively light for a four-piston design and have so far been brutally tough and haven’t required any bleeding.
The MT7’s increased leverage ratio and four-piston design offered up one of the most powerful braking systems currently on the market. The HC3 lever offers lots of user tunability via its reach adjustment and mechanical leverage adjustment. The ergonomic shape and wide platform of this 1-finger blade elevate the HC3 brake lever to a new usability level.
{ 0 comments… add one now }