New SRAM Maven: the most powerful brakes ever created by the brand

SRAM presents the most powerful brakes in its history, baptized with the name Maven and focused on disciplines such as DH, e-MTB, or enduro. The American brand has created customizable brakes with progressive power and huge four-piston calipers. The family consists of four main models starting at 220 euros.

SRAM Maven: the most powerful brakes for the most demanding cycling

It would take a giant catalog to gather in a single volume all the products that bear the SRAM seal; a wide range at the level of the stature of one of the largest companies in the sector. Regarding MTB brakes, the offer included Code and DB8 -for disciplines with more demanding braking-, the G2 -as an evolution of the Guide- and the Level -for lighter bikes-. Now the family adds a new member to its collection with the arrival of Maven.

The SRAM Maven are the most powerful brakes the brand has created; specifically, they are 50% more powerful than the Code. The Maven are, therefore, brakes designed for the most extreme disciplines that require greater braking, such as DH, e-MTB, and enduro.

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Maven has another significant advantage over Code: fatigue is reduced because the levers need 32% less force to generate the same power. In addition, SRAM states that this extra power has been achieved without increasing pad and disc wear.

The company emphasizes that the improved Swinglink technology offers progressive power; that is, the intensity of the power depends on how much the lever is pressed, increasing control in driving.

The design stands out for huge four-piston calipers -19.5 and 18 mm- that reduce caliper power loss. The feel is inherited from Code thanks to leveraging lever shape or pivot location, among others. In terms of aesthetics, Stealth hoses can be found. SRAM highlights that Maven calipers maintain an optimal temperature for longer periods and this makes them have a consistent performance.

Customization involves discs and pads and is another key feature of Maven brakes. First, SRAM recommends starting by installing the smallest discs the bike can accept. The math is as follows: for every 20 mm in diameter, braking increases by 14%. Size matters and a disc that is too large may not generate enough heat; a brown-bronze discoloration will indicate the correct size.

The discs can be HS2 -offering 7% more power and better heat dissipation- or CenterLine -less power and less weight-.

On the other hand, the cyclist can choose between organic or sintered pads, both featuring a new XL shape.

Maven uses Maxima Mineral Brake Oil and is not compatible with other brake levers from the brand. In addition, SRAM also offers two 20p adapters covering the most common disc sizes -160, 180, 200, and 220 mm-.

SRAM Maven: the full range in detail

Below are details of the four models that make up the Maven range.

Maven Ultimate Expert Kit

This is a limited edition with exclusive anodized calipers with red splashes.

• 2 sets of XL organic and 2 sintered pads
• 4 HS2 discs (1 of 220 mm, 2 of 200 mm, 1 of 180 mm)
• 2 20P adapters
• 2x MMX clamps
• Maven Ultimate limited edition brakes with anodized calipers with red splashes
• Purging kit for mineral oil
• Travel protector for discs
• Weight: 362 grams
• Price: 699 euros

Maven Ultimate

This version combines a sleek polished lever with a caliper with machined edges and titanium hardware.

• 18 and 19.5 mm pistons to achieve the best power in its category
• SRAM feel thanks to Swinglink
• Robust four-piston caliper with the best thermal dissipation and easy access to screws.
• Standard organic pads for the best modulation and least noise
• Lever with Stealth architecture, more elegant and modern
• Mineral oil for less maintenance and better performance
• Developed to use only Maxima Mineral Brake Oil
• Attractive lever polish and titanium hardware
• Tool-free adjustment of reach and lever contact point
• Weight: 362 grams
• Price: 360 euros

Maven Silver

This model features black anodizing and stainless steel hardware.

• 18 and 19.5 mm pistons to achieve the best power in its category
• SRAM feel thanks to Swinglink
• Robust four-piston caliper with the best thermal dissipation and easy access to screws.
• Standard organic pads for the best modulation and least noise
• Lever with Stealth architecture, more elegant and modern
• Mineral oil for less maintenance and better performance
• Developed to use only Maxima Mineral Brake Oil
• Black anodized finish.
• Tool-free adjustment of reach and lever contact point
• Weight: 371 grams
• Price: 320 euros

Maven Bronze

In this case, the set features dark gray anodizing.

• 18 and 19.5 mm pistons to achieve the best power in its category
• SRAM feel thanks to Swinglink
• Robust four-piston caliper with the best thermal dissipation and easy access to screws.
• Standard organic pads for the best modulation and least noise
• Lever with Stealth architecture, more elegant and modern
• Mineral oil for less maintenance and better performance
• Developed to use only Maxima Mineral Brake Oil
• Dark gray anodized finish
• Weight: 369 grams
• Price: 220 euros

You can find more information on the SRAM website.