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TUNING YOUR SRAM MTB BRAKES

It’s up to you to decide the right power, feel, and tune for your brakes. Tuning your brakes to your liking is as easy as swapping pad compounds and rotor sizes to match how you ride. Start by ensuring you’re riding the best brake for your intended use and personalize from there.

STEP 1: CHOOSE THE BEST BRAKE FOR YOU

SRAM Light Duty Brake

LIGHT DUTY

When the lightest weight possible is your priority, choose from two and four-piston Level brakes for super controllable power that’s proven to reign supreme in XC racing.

SRAM Heavy Duty Brakes

HEAVY DUTY

Go for the full-power four-piston Code or DB8 brakes built for modern trail, enduro, and light E-MTB riding.

SRAM Extreme Duty Brakes

EXTREME DUTY

For the most demanding gravity focused and heavy braking scenarios, Maven brakes deliver even more power with bigger pistons and superior heat management.

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STEP 2: DECIDE ON PAD COMPOUND

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Brake pads are made up of various compounds and backing plate materials to deliver exactly what you want from your brakes. Identify what you have based on the color of the backside of the pad. Black is organic, while copper is sintered. Organic pads are preferred for dry conditions, while sintered do best when it’s wet and muddy.

ORGANIC: For maximum bite and quiet operation

SINTERED: For the most aggressive, all-weather sustained braking

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SRAM Maven Brakes

STEP 3: SWAP YOUR BRAKE PADS

Once you’ve decided on a pad compound, installation is easy. If you’re switching to a new compound, be sure to use new rotors. All pad compounds embed a thin layer of pad material onto the rotor during brake bed-in and use, and introducing a new pad compound to a used rotor can create noise and reduce brake performance.

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TOP LOAD PAD SWAP

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BOTTOM LOAD PAD SWAP

SRAM Rotors

STEP 4: SELECT ROTOR TYPE AND SIZE

Rotor style and size are crucial in achieving the brake tune you want. The correct rotor will result in powerful and consistent braking by retaining the right amount of heat in the system. The heat generated between the pads and rotors is not only helpful, but essential for proper performance and feel. Heat is your rotors’ friend when managed carefully.

So what size should you choose? Recommended rotor size will vary based on several factors, including the maximum size compatible with your frame and fork, rider and bike weight, and riding style. As a rule of thumb, 160mm is common for cross country, 180mm for steeper terrain and all-mountain, and 200mm for downhill and free-ride. Check out the full recommendation overview here.

TECH TIP: If you’re tuning Maven brakes, the smallest rotor size that your frame and fork can accept is the recommended starting point. 

PAY ATTENTION TO COLOR

Rotor Colors

To easily see if your current size is working well, pay attention to the color of the spokes on your rotors:

  • SCORCHED: Purple or rainbow discoloring means your rotors are running too hot, so you should size up.
  • OPTIMAL: Browned or bronzed coloring means the size is optimal.
  • BRAND NEW: No distinct coloring would suggest they aren't getting hot enough, so you should size down.

Once you’ve selected a size, there are two styles to choose from: HS2 for 7% more power and better heat management, or CenterLine for weight savings with less power.

STEP 5: INSTALL NEW ROTORS

Whether you’re trying out a new rotor size or swapping due to wear, removal and install is quick and easy with any of our 6-bolt rotor options.  Use a T25 Torx wrench to remove each of the six bolts, swap your rotors, and reinstall and tighten the bolts in a star pattern.

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BRAKE SERVICE

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BRAKE WELCOME GUIDE

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