Arguably, this makes applying power with finesse harder than other brakes, but it does give you plenty of confidence that things are working as they should. However, getting the right bleed is critical to the performance of these brakes. Here, the longer, two-finger lever might come into play. It’s something I tend to avoid because having more fingers wrapped around the bar is preferable, but at least there’s the option, when you really need extra strength. The lever has a flip-flop design and reach adjustment, and Magura offers different lever blade types, which can alter the interface between finger and brake. The single-finger design we tested gave a reasonably sharp initial bite and in the mid-stroke it offered plenty of modulation. Despite a low overall cost, the M4’s lever is far from feature-free. The clamp is hinged, enabling easy fitting to the handlebar. It might not be quite as refined in feel as more expensive brakes’ clamps, but it’s far easier than a band-on type clamp to use. This year, our expert reviewers have tested a selection of the best mountain bike brakes, split into two broad genres.

The simple non-split clamp means grips will need to be removed to fit. Russell Burton / Immediate MediaThat way, you’ll reduce unintentional skidding and the resultant reduction in braking power and bike control. At Chain Reaction Cycles we found 110 products from Clarks, of which 4 were in the Brakes category.

Sub-Deore level brakes, yet plenty of stopping power from Shimano. Russell Burton / Immediate Media It’s at this stage of the buying process, when you’re looking at different options, that you should set a budget. Do some research to understand how much roughly you can expect to pay for the sort of level of product that you’re looking for. Then match that to your own personal circumstance and how much you can afford to spend. This will really help you in narrowing down the right product for you. Price of Clarks Clout Hydraulic Disc Brake + Rotor The first thing is material. Looking at what Clarks Clout Hydraulic Disc Brake + Rotor is made of will give you a really good idea of the quality overall. Take a look at the specs above and you should be able to see the material. It’s then up to you to decide if it meets your expectation. Pull harder, and you do eventually reach the brake’s maximum output. It shouldn’t be a surprise that it doesn’t hit the higher echelons of my group test in the power stakes.

Clarks Clout Hydraulic Disc Brake + Rotor Reviews

This set comes with the hoses connected, filled with mineral fluid and pre-bled. All ready to fit straight onto your bike. It also includes all the bolts and fittings you will need, as well as 2 spare olives should you wish to reduce or replace the hoses. Bedding in these brakes took longer than most, and the process was fairly smelly as I burned off the outer surface of the pads. I was perhaps bedding them in longer than some in the search for extra power, because compared to other brakes they’re not as punchy. The 80mm carbon lever has a smooth, contoured shape. The lever provides lots of control, making it easy to correct speed on faster sections or apply a load of stopping power when needed. The action is smooth, but it’s a bit more resistant than other brakes.