Mountain bike brakes aren’t just for safety — they’re a crucial component for overall bike performance. If you’re looking for more stopping power, improved modulation, or superior consistency, check out the picks below for better braking.
Finding brake parts that will work with your current setup can be tricky, so if you’re not sure what to order, drop a comment below and we’ll do our best to help you zero in on what you need!
Bigger and more efficient rotors
One of the easiest ways you can get more power out of your existing mountain bike brakes is to increase your rotor size. For example, moving from 160mm to 180mm rotors increases stopping power by about 12%. Just remember that in addition to the new rotors, you’ll also need to pick up an adapter to ensure the caliper sits in the right position.
And if you’re finding that your current brakes are overheating too easily, a rotor upgrade could help here as well. Thicker rotors dissipate heat better than thin ones (though they are heavier) and two-piece rotors — like Shimano’s Ice Tech rotors — perform a similar heat-management function.
Shimano XT SM-RT86 6 Bolt Ice-Tech Rotor: $47.56 (reg $65.00, 27% off)
Size up and/or upgrade to Ice-Tech for improved heat management. Note these are for a 6-bolt hub; more Shimano options are here.
SRAM HS2 rotors: $49.99 (reg $58.00, 14% off)
These thicker rotors are quieter and can improve heat management; however, check to ensure they will fit your calipers. More SRAM rotor upgrade options are here.
Disc Brake Adaptors: $12.32 (reg $15.40, 20% off)
If you’re changing your rotor size you’ll need the proper disc brake adapter to ensure a fit with your caliper. Find more choices here, and if you’re not sure, ask!
Bleed your brakes regularly
Brake power tends to fade over time as air finds its way into the system and hydraulic fluid contaminents build up. Bleeding your brakes will bring them back to life, and though the job is messy and a little intimidating at first, it’s worth the effort to learn. Just pick up a kit that’s compatible with your brakes and find a YouTube video that walks you through the process.
Bleed kit for Shimano and TRP: $17.99
If you’re working on an older set of brakes or aren’t sure which bleed fittings you need, a kit like this is an easy and inexpensive option. We’ve used this exact kit ourselves, and while it’s not the cleanest, it gets the job done.
SRAM-compatible bleed kit: $18.99
Similar to the bleed kit above, but this one is designed to fit most SRAM brakes.
Change your pads
If your brake pads are worn, changing them will obviously improve brake performance. And though switching to organic (resin) pads isn’t necessarily an upgrade depending on how and where you ride, it’ll almost certainly give your brakes a new feel and quieter performance on the trail.
Shimano Resin Brake Pads: $34.00 (reg $47.00, 28% off)
Fits the latest XTR, XT, and SLX brakes.
SRAM Guide resin pads: $21.60 (reg $27.00, 20% off)
SRAM Code and Guide RE resin pads: $27.00 (reg $36.00, 25% off)
Go all-in on new brakes
Once you’ve done everything you can to eek out max power from your existing brakes, it might be time to buy a more powerful set. These are some of our favorites based on testing, and they can be a huge upgrade, especially if you’re currently running two-piston brakes.
SRAM Maven Bronze: $185.00
SRAM Maven Bronze brakes bring incredible stopping power at a great price point. Most retailers are showing these as sold out or backordered due to their popularity, so grab the Mavens from evo while they’re in stock!
TRP DH-R EVO Disc Brake and Lever: $249.00
Based on our tests, “the TRP DH-R EVO brakes deliver when it comes to power, performance, and reliability.”
Shimano XTR M9220 Brake kit (Front & Rear): $670.00
The latest XTR brakes bring improved ergonomics, additional power, and a more consistent bite point.
Bonus: brake accessories and maintenance
Lever upgrades aren’t as common as they once were, but Sticky Fingers might be the solution you’re looking for. And sometimes weak brakes are simply caused by oil on the pads and/or rotor which you can avoid (and remove) with proper gloves and a little shot of brake cleaner.
Miles Wide Sticky Fingers: $15.99
Improve lever grip in sweaty or cold conditions while adding some flair to your cockpit. Multiple colors available.
Nitrile gloves: $8.47 (reg $9.99, 15% off)
Avoiding contamination is key when working on brakes, whether you’re swapping parts or bleeding the hydraulics. Trust us, we’ve learned this the hard way!
Finish Line disc brake cleaner: $10.00 (reg $10.99, 9% off)
OK, so you goofed and contaminated your rotor and/or brake pads. No problem, just pick up some Finish Line or Muc Off brake cleaner to clean up the mess.
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