Hate or Hype // SRAM Maven 

We have Kilos, Pounds, Stones and now Dales to measure weight. Love the video.

Was interesting hearing a different take than Dale’s perspective. I tried the TRP’s and decided to go back to Saints. Your review made me consider picking up a set to see how these stack up.

I went from stock cheap shimanos to the maven ultimate, I'm a heavy guy with a heavy bike and these things are crazy good. Being able to adjust the reach really helps with hand fatigue, so that is an added bonus. The only thing I had to do was learn to back off on the front brake because holy moly it's powerful.

@4:20 And another of our new features. You should ride with the builders one day.

I've ran XTR's and RSC's, but got arm pump from both of them after a while. I tried different pads on them but nothing ever really wow'ed me. Then I threw on some Magura MT7 calipers (kept the XTR levers) and that's the setup I run on all of my bikes now. So much power, such awesome brakes. It's nice to finally not have to "think" about them anymore, they are always super reliable and consistent.

I watched Dales video again after riding my mavens, Im getting considerably less hand fatigue now - watching his technique with how he pulls the levers has me convinced he wont like anything other than shimano

Im 250 pounds on an e-bike and these are almost too powerful. It takes some getting used to for sure. I run the 220/200 with sintered pads, considering changing to resin on the front... it's just brutal man. They need to be bed in properly though...

Nice video thanks! My set of Maven is installed on my big bike, but riding season has not stated here yet. Can't wait to try them out.

I was thinking maybe u would like the feel of the new continental gravity tires. Very strong casing and they do well when riding hard. Could be worth a test.

After swapping from Code RSC to Hayes Dominions, I have to say I'm now converted to Hayes (5' 11" - 170bls)...One caveat is I'm currently running HS2 rotors, and the rear squeaks (not a bedding issue as I've tried the tried and true sanding re-bedding method as well). Have also tried organic pads as well and the rear sounds no different. Not the typical "honk" I associate with wet rotors etc. but more of a high pitched squeek. Trying them with Hayes rotors soon though to see if that solves the problem (fronts have been silent).

Curious. I think when I watched your video building the new Chilcotin with Noel, I am pretty sure you installed the Transmission as your drivetrain. Of the last few videos you seemed to be running XT. Any reason for switching back to the good old mechanical shifting? Anyway nice video and ride as always.

Looks like Lewis is gonna release a 6 piston brake soon

It can't be a 30mm stem. The shortest theoretical stem with 31.8mm bars is about 30.2mm, with 35mm bars its about 31.8mm before the handlebar is touching the steerer.

Did Dave sell them to you? :-) These trails are scary af, especially the roll at 7:12

I would have to agree with you as someone who’;s also 2 Dales :-) feels like. Code RSC but with a massive power boost. Def feels like their marketing about 30% less force for 50% more top power feels accurate. But for lighter riders they are probably overkill.

have you ever tried the hope tech 4 v4 brakes? I think they would be perfect for you. lighter modulation but way stronger than the standard brake

They are on my bike but I haven't got to try them yet (not for a few weeks still too) just around on the street. In recovery mode atm. They feel really powerful though, I'm coming from Code RSC's though.

I said it at Dales video already, if the arm pump really is an issue, why not change master cylinders? Get a pair of different levers and match them to the Maven calipers. I think that could well turn out awesome.

I’m a big guy and after seeing your video I think I made the right decision on brakes. All the stuff I’ve seen are these little 150 pound guys complaining about lever feel.

put them on my kenevo..now my emtb stops like my stumpyevo best for heavy situations , overkill for trail or light enduro

Very interesting to hear the different reviews from you and Dalestone. Have you tried the Hayes Dominion yet? Would you put those in the category of underpowered for larger riders?

Did you notice anything with the stem? You've effectively shortened the reach a bit and are now under the offset of your fork, probably. I've gone back and forth between 30mm'ish stems and 40mm and haven't noticed a huge change. The longer one might feel slightly more stable though.

I run the CODE Ultimate stealth with HS2 rotors and have plenty of braking power and no squealing unless they get wet.

Interesting. What is it you don't like about the Code RSC's then?? That would help give me some context for your other comments on brakes you've tried

As a lighter guy I have codes on my trail bike and mavens on my surron. Wouldn’t change a thing 👍👍

I feel the non-light action of the lever would be a deal breaker for me sadly, do you think it could more harm pump Nick?

Awesome, love those trails

loving the videos man..yours, Dales and Daves videos are great and always leaving me wanting to go for a ride.. if only someone would Frankenstein this maven brakes with Shimano levers now that it uses mineral oil..it just might work..🤔🤔🤔haha

I am running saints on 180mm rotors. Would you recommend going to 203 rotor up front and putting the 180 on the rear?

Diffrent topic. How does riding on the northshore work. DO you pedal the hill an decent the trails in loops or is there some kind of shuttle service?

How is your armpump with these compared to other top end brakes, TRP, XTR, etc? I'm not quite your weight, but pretty close, and found even with the strongest TRPs I still want more power. However I really struggle with arm pump / finger pain, so I'm really scared of Dales thesis of more armpump with mavens.

@VanCan I'm just curious but with the added weight and power of the Mavens and their use case why am I never seeing a comparison of the Mavens to the Saints? Everyone seems to be comparing breaks generally used for trail riding (XT's and Codes) to what clearly seems like a DH Break. Am I missing something? is it cost? ate the Saints that much more weight? Just curious why these are getting so much hype when Saints have been around for years.

I'm curious...I'm coming to ride squamish, north shore and Vancouver Island this summer. How does the shuttling system work? There's no way you pedal back up. Do you gotta know someone or do people pick ya up?

What size rotors and brake pad compound did you go with?

Any updates on the lewis?

How do these compare to Hope and Magura brakes? Or have you not tried those yet?

Shimano always for breaking

Have you ever tried Shigura? awesome brake setup

What happened to that cassette ?

Bro, you fuckin know how to ride steep rocky trails

Ive heard the mavens are lighter and easier to pull so im curious to try them. The main reason for the arm pump is that i need to pull harder to get power but these sound like they have really good power off the top end.

Personal question... How much do you weigh? I've never owned a brake and thought "Whoa, perfect or too much power!" Brakes tend to fade at the end of a long run 😳 which really tends to ruin a ride. I'm 250lb's, but-nekid. I outweigh all of my riding buddies by at least 35lb's 💪

Hi. Could you compare these with Shimano zee/saints? What is the power like? I know Shimanos are more on off, but are mavens more powerful? I’m cca 100kg in gear and need brakes that don’t fade and are consistent

Have you ever had a chance to try Maguras? The Mavens are still probably more powerful but I’ve found Maguras to have good top end power too.

do you like them more than the TRP that you had?

jeezus.. how much juice did you put down to bend that cassette? lmao

Be careful with the understeer on that short stem. I found out that hard way

I have seen mavens..but I wanna know about your cassette lol

organic on sinter? what you tried with the mavens

Hi, I am 90kg (+15kg bike + gear) so around 110kg system weight on EN trail. I ride Core RSCs and I am SRAM fan. I get a lot of arm pump on longer descents (also not super fit) and I am terified from arm pump from initiation of braking initiation. Could you please adres that what you think? Do you think that there will be a way to make the lever feel lighter? (small note: my braking history: Guide R., Guide RSC, Code RSC)

Looks like SRAM made your cassette?.. I have not had good luck with sram brakes. Many failures. I like Magura MT7 with HC3 levers. MT5S have slightly better modulation for tricks. 7s have more power still great modulation.

Brakes so powerful they blew apart your cassette! 😭

Yeah Nick stop the presses a cassette exploded you can probably count on one hand how many times that has happened in your life 5ft to flat that’s not awful as a street rider that’s heaven 😂😂

I don't understand the relation with "power" all I care for is lower input of effort aka "lever effort" pretty much all modern 4 pistons brakes I know have absolutely more than enough power since you can lock a 29 wheel easily... Am I confused or everyone is confused about misplacing lower effort for "power" nothing make sense, whelp 😂

Reach too long on the new Chilcotin confirmed? lol

15 years on XTR , I still don't see a reason to change.

I have tried all sorts. Not these. I have concluded, perhaps prematurely, and with prejudice, that i will stay with saints. All my bikes are outfitted with Saints, and one bike for XC+ racing, we have XT.