Most riders regularly replace brake pads, but few think about upgrading their entire brakeset. If performance and control matter to you, it might be time to consider a change. Magura makes brakesets that deliver the highest quality product, impeccable stopping power and the best warranty of any brakeset brand. Here are the details.
Paid partnership with Magura South Africa
Do you just accept your bike’s brakes as they are, or do you demand the best performance from them? If the latter, you will likely already know about Magura, one of the world’s leading performance brake brands.
Most South African mountain bikers have traditionally just accepted the brakes their bike comes with and got used to them, no matter how poorly they perform. That leads to a riding life that lacks confidence on descents and corners and lower average speeds in general. It’s not ideal but it is certainly something you can change.
All Magura brake models are designed and manufactured with the highest German standards to perform reliably and with both fine modulation and precision. Magura is so closely associated with brake modulation, it’s often regarded as a pioneer in the space.
Brake modulation in mountain biking refers to the ability to precisely control how much braking force is applied, rather than just being ‘on’ or ‘off’. Good modulation allows you to gradually increase or decrease braking pressure, giving you better control over traction and speed, especially on technical or slippery terrain.
Why brake modulation matters:
- Traction Control: Squeezing the brakes too hard can cause the wheels to lock up, leading to unwanted skidding. With good modulation, you can slow down without losing ground surface grip.
- Cornering: Modulating brakes into and through a corner helps maintain balance and control.
- Descending: On steep or loose descents, subtle brake control prevents the bike from sliding or flipping.
- Confidence: Knowing you can finely adjust braking gives you the confidence to ride faster and with more control.
How modulation is achieved:
- Brake Lever Feel: Higher-quality hydraulic disc brakes tend to offer better modulation than mechanical systems.
- Brake Pad Compound: Softer pads may offer smoother engagement.
- Rider Technique: Learning to apply gradual pressure with one or two fingers improves control.
In summary, brake modulation is about finesse, not just power. It helps mountain bikers ride more smoothly, safely, and confidently. This is the riding life of a mountain biker with Magura brakes…
In addition to being the brake brand that’s synonymous with modulation and precision, Magura offers a five-year leakproof warranty to the first buyer, provided you use original Magura parts, especially brake pads and rotors.
With its Enduro/DH focused models, Magura’s rotors are 2mm thick. Why is this relevant? Because almost every other brand’s rotors are 1.5mm-1.8mm thick. Having a thicker rotor adds a tiny bit more weight – hardly noticeable on Enduro/DH bikes – but more heat dissipation under hard braking, which ensures a bigger braking force that’s more predictable and precise.
“When a mountain bike brakeset is damaged and needs to be replaced, more and more South African bike shops are giving the customer the option to upgrade his or her braking performance to Magura. We stock Magura brakesets across the pricing and model spectrum, from entry level right to flagship level, each one delivering the precision and modulation that Magura has become famous for,” said Jaco Malan, founder of Orim Global, the South African distributor of Magura and other premium bicycle accessory brands.
“There’s also a growing number of experienced and informed mountain bikers in South Africa that are demanding better performance from their bikes, whether it’s tyres, tyre inserts, lubricants, bearings, drivetrains, spokes or brakes. With Magura’s credibility and global reputation for premium braking performance from marathon riding to hardcore gravity racing, our brakeset segment is really starting to gain good momentum,” added Malan.
Popular sellers
It’s taken a while, but in South Africa there’s a growing trend of mountain bikers upgrading their brakesets to a more premium, specialist brand like Magura. You can get the expected quality from this German brand without having to break the bank… And your brakeset doesn’t have to match your gear brand. Plus, with its popular flip-flop design, Magura brakes are ideal for custom builds and make it easy to switch the levers from left to right. This feature also simplifies maintenance and crash replacements, as the brakes are sold individually – eliminating the need to replace the entire set in the event of damage.
Check out these popular Magura models in South Africa:
Magura MT SPORT (single brake)
Hierarchy: Entry-level 2-piston
Lever: 2-finger Carbotecture®
Weight: 245g
Pistons: 2
Colour: Black
Ideal for: Trail | Fun Rides
MSRP: R1 466-25
Magura MT 4 (single brake)
Hierarchy: Mid-range 2-piston
Lever: 2-finger Alloy
Weight: 230g
Pistons: 2
Colour: Black | Silver
Ideal for: Trail | Half-marathon
MSRP: R2 052-75
Magura MT 5 (single brake)
Hierarchy: Mid-range 4-piston
Lever: 2-finger Alloy
Weight: 255g
Pistons: 4
Colour: Black | Silver
Ideal for: Trail |Enduro | Downhill | eBike
MSRP: R2 501-25
Magura MT 8 PRO (single brake)
Hierarchy: High-end 2-piston
Lever: 1-finger HC Alloy
Weight: 225g
Pistons: 2
Colour: Black | Chrome
Ideal for: XCO | Marathon | Stage Race
MSRP: R2 501-25
Magura MT 7 PRO (single brake)
Hierarchy: High-end 4-piston
Lever: 1-finger HC Alloy
Weight: 255g
Pistons: 4
Colour: Master Black with Mystic Grey caliper
Ideal for: Trail |Enduro | Downhill | eBike
MSRP: R2 501-25
Magura MT 8 SL (single brake)
Hierarchy: Flagship Super Light 2-piston
Lever: 1-finger Carbotecture® SL
Weight: 195g
Pistons: 2
Colour: Black with Neon Yellow and Mystic Grey caliper
Ideal for: XCO | Marathon | Stage Race
MSRP: R6 555-00
Magura Gustav PRO (complete set)
Hierarchy: Flagship 4-piston (with rotors)
Lever: 2-finger Pro
Weight: 1 235g (including the 203mm rotors)
Pistons: 4
Colour: Black and Anthracite
Ideal for: Trail |Enduro | Downhill | eBike
MSRP: R20 527-50
Note: Pricing was correct as at June 2025 and is subject to change.
For more information of Magura in South Africa, click here.
For more about Orim Global’s bouquet of premium brands, click here.
