SRAM Maven Review - Goods and Bads #mtb Brake Review

Over the last six months we’ve tested more than six pairs of SRAM Maven brakes. In all we’ve ridden two sets of each level of brake. While there has been some great power and strengths to the brakes, there are too many negatives for us to feel great about buying them for our personal bikes or recommending them to others without sharing these thoughts.

If you don’t mind the stronger lever pull and are willing to put in some work to get these brakes to feel consistent, you may love these incredibly powerful brakes. For us, there are other options that do the job with less effort and a lower price tag.

Still looking to buy, shop from one of these retail sites in which we may get a small commission, at no cost to you.
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[DaleStone]

Drew, thanks a bunch for the shoutout and publishing this refreshing review. It’s always important that riders have all of the information to make an informed decision, but it’s not an easy piece of content to put out, especially as a media outlet where you stand to lose more than you could gain from a (very justifiable) critical piece like this. I have a lot of respect for that. For a some riders these will surely be the best brakes ever, but it is incredibly validating to hear you echo a majority of my concerns (and even a few more, bummed to hear about that reliability!).

Move aside red website, I know where I’ll be getting my bike news from now on!

[kurtisgassewitz]

Huge kudos for this video. I feel with so many product release videos these days, it's hard to tell what is just a paid advertisement/honey moon period on first impressions. Stoked to hear some actual feedback on how the brakes were to live with. Subscribed!

[finkelmann]

THIS is the kind of material and reviews the industry needs. Some critical scrutiny and emphasis on reliability and serviceability, and not just regurgitating marketing material!

[TheHman]

Yo thank you for shouting out the guy @Dalestone
His brake review videos are next level… and his riding too

[thim]

Thanks for showing. I loved when they came out. My code r went on sale. I picked up an extra set of front and rear for 165.00. I don't get free products and don't believe in 10 k bikes. I'm happy with code r, so I haven't tried anything any better. I wouldn't buy anything better than slx or gx drivetrains either.

[nigelhagley]

Great Video no fluff, real world review!!

[moosicman]

huge respect for putting this out there. you should make a series out of this! goods and bads

[ShadLife]

I recently got some TRP EVO DHR brakes and I absolutely love them! Not sure I would ever need anything more powerful than these.

[krtve]

Exactly why I bought the Shimano Saints! Absolutely great breaks no issues, always the same every time you grab. 👊😎

[timclayman]

For how much media attention and marketing hype these brakes had, I cannot believe they never mentioned how poor the modulation and bite point is on these. Thank you for reviewing these honestly honestly. I bought the brand new Ultimate set when they came out and after trying to bleed them at the bike shop literally 7 to 8 times I decided to have them take them off. Literally the worst brakes I’ve ever ever tried on my bike in 25 years

[nickreeve]

Man I love YouTube content like this. Thank you, thank you. I honestly have had these on my wish list right up until now! Now they are not. There is no point (IMO) in positively or negatively reviewing a product without the detailed 'why', and you definitely covered it, and not in an emotional rant, just matter of fact and to the point with lots of why's and examples of real-world riding. Excellent review. I was so hoping at the end you would reveal what is the brake you would personally go for.... I'd love to know

[TheBrokenMountainBiker]

1 year with Shimano xt brakes now, I didn't install them particularly well, I don't really look after them either and yet they're faultless, very strong and I haven't need to re-bleed them etc.

[TheMTBRider]

i feel all the drawbacks have been my experience on sram brakes, less the bitepoint issue but noisy, creaky and so on, for the cost they're just a NO go with quality especially when compared with some Hopes for example.

[bjornfongern]

Couldn´t be happier with my Hope V4T4s. Especially the super light lever feel is amazing. And they have heaps of easy to control power on tap. Crazy thing is the Hopes are pretty much the same price as the Maven silver here. If you look at the build quality, finish and the fact they are made by a relatively small company in the UK it´s really no comparison.

[davekal]

The honest real world review is appreciated. Thanks.

[joehoeper]

Was gonna get Mavens, went with TRP DHR Evos instead. Glad I did

[knottme]

I'm running the ultimates on the ebike and had the lever noise issue .got it swapped no issues since ....built up a bike recently and bought the bronze calipers and paired them with xt levers....I've named them the shavens insane brakes

[thetom]

Thanks for this honest review. On my bikes I have the Shimano XT which do a great job. Had some Srams and Magura before but was not happy with those.
I would like to see you guys reviewing the Trickstuff Maxima and the Intend Trinity.

[mikeryan]

Awesome review! Telling it how it is. Loving the hayes Dominions so underrated

[sammus]

Have been running Mavens for about 6 months and recently also had that wandering bite point after hitting rough sections/trail chatter. I bled them and haven't had anymore issues since, I did also blow a piston out following their massage instructions though 🤣