Jack reviews the SRAM Maven Bronze brakes
The SRAM Maven brake was only rolled out a couple of months ago, but already it’s proven to be a big deal for the US component brand. Standing as the most powerful brake that SRAM has ever produced, the Maven has kicked the Code down the pecking order to become the new go-to option for DH, enduro and e-MTB.
Currently there are three Maven models to choose from; Ultimate, Silver and Bronze. As you’d expect for the initial launch, all of the attention was channelled towards the flashy Ultimate model. The premium stoppers were treated to a limited edition colourway with red anodised callipers that made them really stand out.
We reviewed the Maven Ultimate brakes and were blown away by their eye-popping power. But what about the cheapest version, the Maven Bronze? Do they deliver the same performance, just for less money? To find out, we’ve been putting a set through the wringer over the past couple of months.
An overview of the SRAM Maven Bronze brakes
Despite costing a lot less than the Ultimate version, the Maven Bronze actually shares a lot in common with its pricier siblings.
Most importantly, the 4-piston callipers are identical throughout the Maven lineup. These are made from two massive chunks of alloy, which are brought together with four large steel bolts to make the structure as stiff as possible.
Inside you’ll find a pair of 18mm and 19.5mm diameter pistons. These are housed within newly redesigned seals that are optimised for maximum heat tolerance. The goal here is to maintain a pressure-tight seal even under very hard braking in hot or cold conditions.
The Mavens also feature a new XL pad shape that offers increased surface area compared to the smaller Code brake pads. Organic pads come as standard, though metal brake pads are available aftermarket.
Thanks to those enormous callipers and brake pads, SRAM claims the new Maven offers nearly 50% more stopping force than the Code. It also states that this anchor-dropping power is achieved with 32% less lever force required, which in theory should reduce rider fatigue on long and steep descents.
Less titanium, less dollars
Speaking of the levers, you won’t find any titanium hardware on the SRAM Maven Bronze brakes like you will on the pricier Ultimate version. Instead the Maven Bronze sticks with good ol’ steel hardware.
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. More significantly, the Maven Bronze misses out on the pad contact adjust dial. This means you aren’t able to fine-tune the amount of lever dead stroke before the pads engage the rotor.
Otherwise the lever body itself and the internals are shared between all three Maven models. This includes the SwingLink that connects the lever blade to the master cylinder piston. It’s this mechanism that controls the leverage rate, not unlike the ServoWave design used in a Shimano brake lever.
The Maven Bronze brake also incorporates the same bar clamp and MMX compatibility as we’ve come to expect from modern SRAM brakes. We like that this standard hasn’t changed over the years, and that it makes for simple direct-mounting of shifters and dropper post levers.
SRAM Maven Bronze price
The SRAM Maven is the cheapest brake in the three-model lineup. Compared to a pair of Ultimates you’ll save almost $400 AUD when purchasing a pair of Maven Bronze brakes. Here’s how the prices compare for a single brake (per end);
- SRAM Maven Ultimate – $515 AUD
- SRAM Maven Silver – $455 AUD
- SRAM Maven Bronze – $320 AUD
SRAM Maven Bronze weight
Despite that substantial difference in price, the weight is almost identical between the SRAM Maven Bronze and the pricier versions.
With the hose trimmed to length, our front Maven Bronze weighs 371g including the bar clamp. That’s just 9g heavier than the Maven Ultimate, which is not much at all.
It’s still heavy for a mountain bike disc brake, especially compared to a Code Ultimate (302g) or a Shimano XTR Trail (267g). However, the increased power does open up the option to run a smaller rotor, which will help claw back some grams.
Of course most people looking at the SRAM Mavens are likely not that worried about weight. With these brakes, it’s all about the power.
Setup & installation
Aside from the use of mineral oil instead of DOT fluid, installing and bleeding the SRAM Maven brakes is very similar to the existing Codes and Levels.
Indeed the clever Stealth-A-Majig fittings (the threaded olives and barbs) are identical between all models. The bleed process is much the same, though it does require a specific mineral oil bleed kit from SRAM. This features mineral oil-compatible seals and O-rings that are coloured green to help mechanics quickly identify them from the DOT-specific bleed kits. SRAM recommends only using Maxima mineral oil, which the two brands developed together specifically for the Maven and DB8 brakes.
One key point of difference in the bleed procedure with the Mavens is the necessity to ‘massage’ the pistons. This involves fitting the thinner side of the included pad spacer before squeezing the lever to advance the pistons out of the calliper. You then use the thicker side of the spacer to wedge in between the pads and push the pistons back, resetting the seals in the process. See the SRAM Maven bleed video for a detailed guide.
You can also perform this procedure with the brake pads removed. Zip tie two old rotors together, position them in the calliper and then squeeze the lever to pump the pistons out until they lock onto the rotors. Using a tyre lever, push the pistons back into the calliper. You can repeat this process several times, which will help reset and lubricate the piston seals.
Speaking of lubrication, SRAM states that you shouldn’t put mineral oil on the pistons like you might do with DOT fluid on the Codes. It isn’t necessary with the Mavens, and the oil can actually have a negative impact on seal health. The process of massaging the pistons will be sufficient to get everything properly lubricated.
Testing the SRAM Maven Bronze brakes
Our youthful enduro pinner Jack has been using the SRAM Maven Bronze brakes on his Kavenz VHP 16 race bike.
Having previously used SRAM Code RSCs, Shimano XTs and more recently a set of Hope Tech 4 E4 brakes, Jack was eager to see how the big Mavens would compare. Here we chat to him about his experience from the past couple of months.
What was it like fitting and setting up the SRAM Maven Bronze brakes?
Installing the Maven Bronze was pretty straightforward if you’re familiar with SRAM brakes. The MatchMaker bar clamp and Stealth-A-Majig olive and barb system are well-designed and easy to use.
Up at the bars I’ve got a OneUp dropper post remote fitted to the left-hand brake lever with the usual MMX adapter. On the right brake lever I’m using a Wolf Tooth Components adapter to direct-mount a Shimano XT shifter. While everything fits neatly, the big reservoirs on the Maven brake levers mean the bodies come quite close to the handlebar. That tight clearance restricts the ability to fit a standalone clamp for a shifter, dropper lever or e-MTB controller inboard of the brake lever.
Speaking of tight clearances, my Kavenz VHP 16 has a unique seatstay brake mount that required some extra effort to ensure proper clearance between the calliper and frame with only millimetres to spare. This most likely won’t be an issue for 99% of bikes, but with the extra-large calliper, it is something to keep in mind.
The bleeding process offers another point to consider. SRAM’s switch to mineral oil with the Mavens is a plus for those worried about damaging paint or tools with DOT fluid. Achieving a consistent lever feel however, requires careful attention to the proper bleed procedure. More on that in a bit.
How have you found the overall performance?
With my setup of 200mm rotors front and rear as well as organic pads, the braking performance of the SRAM Mavens is impressive, exceeding the requirements of most riders, including myself, on even the toughest trails. The initial bite is satisfyingly crisp, similar to the firm bite point of Shimano’s MTB brakes but with a significant boost in raw stopping force.
However, this abundance of power can be a bit much at times. Initially, it felt like even a touch of the lever could send me over the front of the bike. While impressive, it was sometimes overwhelming, especially at slower speeds where more controlled braking is needed. There’s definitely a sweet spot in the lever throw for the small window of power that takes some getting used to in order to achieve smooth, controlled braking at all speeds. This extra lever throw could be reduced by stepping up to the Silver or Ultimate brakes with their contact point adjustment. This would help to bring the bite point closer in, reducing the amount of dead stroke to the bite point.
The upside of this immense power is that the Mavens truly shine on long descents. The large callipers handle heat very well, resulting in a consistent feel throughout the ride. No fade, no drastic changes in lever throw – just pure, predictable power. Once used to the lever feel, this provided heaps of confidence on long enduro stages where you are tired and most likely struggling to hold on as it is. Having this much power at your disposal takes another hand-fatiguing operation like wrenching on faded brakes out of the equation. This consistency is likely due to the increased material in the callipers and massive pads, helping them manage heat exceptionally well and stay in the optimal temperature window for power.
With the increased power, have you had any issues with modulation or general control?
The increased power of the Mavens does require some adjustment to your braking technique, especially if you’re coming from brakes with a lighter lever action or a softer bite point. I have been using Hope Tech 4 E4 brakes for the past year, which are known for their smooth feel. With the Mavens, the short lever and snappy bite require a different approach.
While braking control was initially a bit tricky for me due to the difference in feel compared to the Hopes, which feature an extremely light lever and oodles of modulation, after a few rides I came to appreciate the effortless power of the Mavens. Overall, with a little practice and adjustment to your braking technique, you can still achieve excellent control with the benefit of a massive amount of power on tap.
If you still find them to be too bitey, stepping down a rotor size may be a good idea to help regain some modulation. In fact, SRAM actually recommends starting out with the smallest size rotors your frame and fork will take, since the Mavens have so much power to begin with. You should also keep an eye on rotor discolouration. Ideally you want the rotor spires to go a slight bronze colour from general use. If the spires of the rotor end up going purple or a rainbow colour, the brakes are running too hot and you’ll want to upsize. If there’s no colour on the spires of the rotor, chances are you’re not getting enough heat into the brakes and you should look at downsizing if possible.
Any problems so far?
Aside from the initial frame clearance challenge and the learning curve with the lever feel, the only concern I encountered was some initial wandering of the bite point. Fortunately there was a simple reason for this.
After taking the new brakes out of the box, I fitted them to my bike and trimmed both hoses to length. With limited time I performed a quick lever bleed on both brakes, as I figured the factory bleed would have been good and the only air in the system would be right at the top of the hoses at the lever end. This is what I’d normally do with a set of new Codes or Shimano brakes, which tend to only require a lever bleed after cutting and fitting the hoses.
The Mavens initially felt fantastic both in the workstand and out on the trail, but after the first few rides I began to notice a gradually changing bite point. I went back to the workshop and performed a complete system bleed as per SRAM’s instructions, removing more bubbles of air in the process. I also paid close attention to massaging the pistons, this time removing the pads entirely and slotting in two old rotors zip-tied together. This allowed for a little more piston extension, before I pushed them back in carefully using a plastic tyre lever.
Having purged all the air out of the system, the Mavens have been absolutely rock-solid since. The bite point hasn’t wandered at all while riding, and they’ve impressed with their consistency even on really long and demanding descents. As such, our advice would be to always perform a thorough system bleed during the initial setup process to ensure you’ve removed all possible air bubbles.
What about the lever feel?
We have seen some reviews online that have mentioned the heavy lever action of the SRAM Maven brakes. Directly compared to the Codes the Mavens do have more resistance when initially pulling on the lever blade and before the bite point engages. That difference is especially noticeable alongside the Hope Tech 4 and Hayes Dominion brakes, both of which are known for their incredibly light and silky-smooth lever feel.
In comparison the Mavens have a considerably stronger spring inside the master cylinder, which requires more force to compress. The benefit is that the levers feel nice and snappy, and they have a very positive action as the pads quickly retract away from the rotor. As such, we’ve not encountered any annoying drag from the brake pads throughout testing, regardless of how hot they get.
Despite requiring more effort when squeezing the brake levers in the workstand, concerns for fatigue and arm-pump never eventuated out on the trail. This is likely because most of the braking action happens deeper in the lever throw after the bite point, which is where your fingers are really pulling on the levers to engage full power. It’s in this part of the braking zone where the Mavens produce their effortless power, and it’s here where SRAM’s claims of reduced lever force come into play.
This is ideal for the heavy-duty applications that the Maven is designed for. However, lighter riders and those who are cruising along mellow terrain are likely to find themselves spending more time in the early part of the lever stroke where the heavier action may be more noticeable. If you don’t need all of the power that the Maven offers, this will be a point worth considering.
How have they compared to the Hope Tech 4 E4 brakes you were previously using?
As alluded to above, the SRAM Mavens offer a completely different feel to the Hope Tech 4 E4 brakes.
The Hopes are known for their light lever pull, long lever and softer bite point, while the Mavens have a short lever and a much snappier bite. This difference requires a significant adjustment to your braking technique.
Rather than gradually adding more pressure to find the desired braking force, you have to bring the lever into the initial snap of the bite point and then release or increase braking pressure from there. While the initial learning curve can be a bit steep, the Mavens offer some distinct advantages over the Hopes, particularly in terms of sheer stopping power and heat management. The Mavens’ brute force inspires confidence on steep descents, and the consistent feel throughout long rides is a welcome benefit for enduro racing and big bike park laps.
I’ve also found the Mavens to be easier to bleed and less finicky overall than the Hopes, which needed quite a bit of attention to make sure the pistons were clean and retracting properly. This is exacerbated by the tight pad clearance, leading to noticeable rotor drag. I’ve not had any such issue with the Mavens.
To sum up, with both brakes at my disposal it’s the Mavens that will be staying on my Kavenz.
SRAM Maven servicing & warranty
Building on Jack’s point about maintenance, it’s worth noting that numerous spare parts and rebuild kits are available for the SRAM Maven brakes. You’ll also find detailed instructions for servicing the levers and callipers, in addition to the bleed procedure mentioned above.
If you did happen to encounter a problem outside of normal wear and tear, the Mavens are covered by SRAM’s two-year warranty.
Flow’s Verdict
It’s hard not to be blown away by the sheer power from the SRAM Maven brakes. These are seriously punchy stoppers that leave us with no reason to doubt SRAM’s claims when it comes to outright stopping force. We don’t recall ever feeling like we needed more power than Codes in past, but having now used the Mavens across several of our e-MTB and enduro test bikes, we’re totally convinced.
That conviction holds true with the cheaper Maven Bronze brakes. No, they’re not as flashy or as well-finished as the Ultimate version, but they do deliver much of the same performance for considerably less cash. And we were pleasantly surprised that the lever feel is just as smooth, despite using a cheaper bushing in the main pivot.
If you’re not fussed by titanium or polished alloy bits, and you can deal without the pad contact adjustment, these stand as the more sensible purchase. As with their pricier siblings, they offer exceptional power and heat management, making them ideal for heavy e-MTBs and aggressive enduro riders on demanding terrain.
Of course two months of riding isn’t exactly a lifetime of experience, and so we’ll continue thrashing these brakes and the Maven Ultimates over the coming year to see how their long-term serviceability holds up. Mick also recently acquired a set of Maven Silver brakes for his Specialized Levo SL, and we’ll be diving into his experience for an upcoming long-term review.
