Component Review | SRAM Maven Brakes (2024)

Imagine a vinyl collector who lovingly curates their collection, appreciating the warmth and nuance of analog sound. They know the perfect needle pressure and alignment to extract every detail from the grooves. The SRAM Maven Ultimate brakes bring this same attention to detail to the trail, offering braking performance that lets you savor every twist and turn with the rich, smooth control of a perfectly played record.

Right out of the box, the SRAM Maven Ultimate brakes impress with their solid build quality and meticulous attention to detail. The design is sleek yet robust, signaling that these brakes are built to handle the rigors of aggressive riding. The levers feel familiar and ergonomic, fitting naturally into the hand, and the anodized finish gives them a professional look that matches their performance pedigree.

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“In the last few years, we had riders asking for more power,” said Chris Mandell, Product Manager at SRAM. “In terms of power, weight, and modulation, Code, which has been on the market for a while, made a ton of sense when it came out but bikes have progressed quite a bit since we introduced Code. People are going faster than ever before, and the rise of e-bikes means the system weight of rider plus bike is higher than ever.”

With 50 percent more power than Code brakes, Mavens are not just answering the call of those who wanted stronger brakes—they are adapting to the market and offering riders looking for a robust and versatile brake a completely new option.

“What we really want people to do as they start riding Mavens is think about their needs and tune the overall power of the system for that,” Mandell said. “And there are a bunch of different options for doing that.”

With the ability to choose between different pads and rotors, users can tune Mavens to meet the preferences of various styles across different bikes and conditions. While these modifications are possible with any brake, Mavens offer a larger usable window of performance.

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When the Maven Ultimate brakes are taken out on the trail, their effortless strength stands out. Whether tackling steep descents or navigating technical terrain, these brakes deliver consistent, reliable stopping power. The four-piston calipers provide ample force, yet the lever remains light, making it easy to modulate your speed with confidence.

Another standout feature of the Maven Ultimate brakes is their heat management. Long descents can often lead to brake fade, but the Mavens never once showed any signs of losing grip, which was surprising since these brakes have no noticeable cooling features like fins. But then again, it’s not the cooling that makes brakes feel consistent—it’s more about balance.

“The caliper design carries a lot of mass so that it can hold heat to make sure that the brake doesn’t get too hot but, at the same time, it ensures that the brake doesn’t cool down to ambient temperature too quickly either,” Mandell said. “What this allows the system to do is stay in that optimal temperature range.”

Mineral oil was also chosen for this brake partly to manage performance related to temperature. Perhaps even more importantly, it was chosen for its ability to work with the type of seals the design team wanted to use for the Mavens. The type of seal technology chosen for this project was key in allowing the smooth and consistent feel these brakes have while operating such large pistons.

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Maintenance is often a dreaded task for mountain bikers, but SRAM has made it as straightforward as possible with the Maven Ultimate brakes. The tried-and-true Bleeding Edge technology simplifies the bleeding process, ensuring that you can maintain optimal brake performance without the frustration that often comes with hydraulic systems. The Bleeding Edge port is designed for easy access and the process is quick and clean with a bit of practice.

“Part of the bleed procedure for Mavens is the piston massage,” said Mandell. “I’ve also started doing that on Codes and Levels, and I’ve found that it really improves the brake feel.”

Although the piston massage is only featured in the Maven service manual, it is an excellent technique for anyone trying to bring new life into their brakes. As a mechanic, I used to do this to get sticky pistons moving freely again, but I never knew it had such a relaxing name.

The SRAM Maven brakes are a testament to what can be achieved when a company obsessed with performance does what they do best. With their unparalleled stopping power, exceptional modulation, and impressive heat management, these brakes enhance the gravity-hungry rider’s experience in every way. Add in the ease of maintenance, along with customization options and you have a braking system that stands out in a crowded market. For those who appreciate the finer details and demand the best, the SRAM Maven brakes are a worthy addition to your rig.

MSRP: $300-$599 USD

Learn More:SRAM Maven Brakes

Component Review | SRAM Maven Brakes (2024)

FAQs

How much do Maven brakes weigh? ›

With those chunky callipers, the SRAM Maven Ultimate brakes weigh quite a bit more than Codes. Here are our confirmed weights for a complete front brake with the hose trimmed to length; SRAM Maven Ultimate – 362g. SRAM C0de Ultimate – 302g.

What size are the pistons in the SRAM Maven lever? ›

With four caliper pistons measuring 19.5mm and 18mm, there's no way around it: Maven caliper pistons are simply huge, providing more force against the pads for more friction with less effort.

What is the difference between Maven Bronze and silver? ›

The Maven Bronze does miss out on the pad contact adjuster and the sealed pivot bearing found on the more expensive models. It also gets a cheaper stamped alloy lever blade along with a bushing for the main pivot, rather than the forged lever and cartridge bearing used in the Silver and Ultimate brakes.

What are the newest SRAM brakes? ›

The new SRAM Maven is the brand's most powerful disc brake ever made, designed for downhill, enduro and eMTB riders and racers. Thanks in part to the entirely new caliper and larger-volume lever, the Maven is said to produce a whopping 50 per cent more power than the Code, SRAM's current downhill-oriented offering.

What is the difference between Maven Silver and Ultimate? ›

Maven Ultimate is still the highest end option with a polished lever body and Ti hardware. Silver gets a black anodized finish and stainless steel hardware. Bronze gets a Dark Polar anodized finish, but skips out on the contact adjustment and gets a bushing lever pivot as opposed to a bearing on the other models.

Are SRAM brakes good? ›

It might not be the lightest, nor the most feature-laden, but in terms of stopping power there are few better brakes for the money. This performance remains consistent, so long as you stay on top of maintenance, keeping those pistons moving freely in the caliper.

Are SRAM brake levers interchangeable? ›

Yes. Find out which lever fits which caliper, using the lever and caliper compatibility chart. TECH TIP: Brake models within the same series are cross-compatible. For example, all G2 brake levers work with all G2 calipers.

What are all the piston size? ›

Piston sizes

The industry offers bore sizes of 0.020, 0.030, 0.040, and 0.060 inch. A standard bore is the dimension the engine was originally made to.

What is the diameter of the pistons in the s50b30? ›

GTIN: 00193564010544
Piston SeriesJE Pistons
Bore Diameter86.50 MM
Piston Head TypeDish
Compression Height1.291 IN
Piston Volume-9.30 CC
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What's above platinum? ›

These awards, given by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), represent huge sales—500,000 units for gold, 1 million for platinum, 2 million or more for multiplatinum, and 10 million for diamond.

Is aluminum bronze stronger than bronze? ›

Aluminum bronzes are most valued for their higher strength and corrosion resistance as compared to other bronze alloys.

Is bronze weaker than silver? ›

Please keep in mind that bronze is a harder metal than silver, and it is therefore more difficult to achieve a pristine, smooth surface. On some of our larger, flat items, small imperfections in the surface may be visible through the satin finish gold plate. The plate is very reliable and popular with our customers.

Why are SRAM brakes so noisy? ›

Disc brake noise can be a matter of some water or dirt temporarily getting on the rotors. If previously quiet brakes start making a noise, clean the rotors with isopropyl alcohol or mild soap and water.

What is the best brake fluid for SRAM? ›

DOT 5.1 or DOT 4 brake fluid is used in all current SRAM brake systems, including Level, Guide, G2, and Code series. Need to bleed your brakes? Four-ounce bottles of SRAM DOT 5.1 fluid are available in most regions using part number 00.5318.

What does SRAM stand for? ›

SRAM stands for Static Random Access Memory which keeps the bits of data in the memory and is a type of RAM (Random Access Memory).

How much does Maven b5 weigh? ›

Measurements
Product Dimensions6.1"L x 8.2"W x 2.6"H
Item Weight45 Ounces
Size MapFull Size

How much does Maven b3 weigh? ›

16.25 oz is very light but I'm sure Maven didn't scrimp on the build; they're a small premium bino.

How much does the average brake pad weigh? ›

Brake pad size and weight

This would mean brake pads for electric cars need a higher surface area, so a pad (including back plate) would typically be heavier. Already, a brake pad including back plate weighs around 350-375 grams.

How much does a brake lathe weigh? ›

Accu-turn Bench Brake Lathe Specifications
8920 L8944 L
Rotor0.0046”0.001”-0.010”
Drum0.0046”0.0015”-0.015”
WEIGHT
469 lbs.500 lbs.
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