Trail Tested: SRAM Maven Bronze
Let me tell you about one of my favorite bike upgrades this year. Truth be told, I was a little nervous about installing my Maven brake setup when I first got my hands on it. The calipers were beefy, and I’d heard a few horror stories about people going over the bars in the parking lot due to not realizing how much stopping power the brakes had. After my first ride, I could easily see how that could happen. I’m here to share my experience with the brakes this riding season. I hadn’t had SRAM brakes on my bikes in a while, as previous SRAM brake models had a bit too much modulation for my liking, they had felt a little soft to me. These Mavens are quite a departure from the Juicy’s of the medieval days of freeride (IYKYK).
SRAM Maven Bronze Brakes
Application: MTB
Type: Hydraulic
Blade Material: Aluminum
Adjustment: No Contact Adjustment
Color: Blast Dark Polar Anodized
Pad Type: Steel-Backed Organic
Bracket: Direct Mount
Reach Adjust: Tool-Free Reach Adjust
Fluid: SRAM Mineral Oil
Lever Pivot: Bushing
Weight: 369 grams (brake caliper and lever)
Rotors: SRAM HS2 (200mm)
2-piece forged aluminum caliper features 18 and 19.5-millimeter pistons for power.
Stiff 4-piston caliper with best heat management and easier bolt access.
My Setup:
The Maven Bronze is what resides on my current 2024 bike setup. I picked the Bronze model because I wanted to try out the entry-level Mavens. While the Maven lineup is overall a premium brake system, I was more curious about trying the more budget-friendly Bronze Edition. I wanted to see if lack of the contact pad adjustment would significantly affect my braking experience. Currently running 200mm brake rotors front and rear. The Rockshox Zeb currently on my bike only takes a 200mm rotor up front, and I’m so used to purchasing matching-size rotors that I forgot one of the Maven’s selling points is that you can run much smaller rotors due to their stopping power. I might try a smaller rotor in the future and will provide an update if I do. It would be interesting to see if I notice any difference with a substantially smaller surface area to grab onto.
I used the lever reach adjust to set my lever in pretty close to the handlebar—something I’ve been doing for years. In my mind, having reach adjustment is just as good as contact pad adjustment. One thing I really liked about the Maven Bronze was the caliper color, which resembled a dark gunmetal gray. Gunmetal gray looks super clean and happened to match my bike’s color scheme perfectly—a win-win. I kept the organic pads that came with my setup but ordered a set of metal pads as well. I’m waiting for the PNW fall weather to kick in so I can compare riding in the rain and mud with the organic pads versus the metallic ones. Stay tuned for that comparison in the coming months.
Brake Feel:
The Mavens have felt so smooth and powerful! I run my brake levers in pretty far to avoid having my braking finger extended straight out all the time. What can I say? That finger position cramps me up, and running the lever closer to the bar helps prevent arm pump for me. The fact that I don’t have to apply much pressure to slow down at speed or come to a stop is fantastic. The higher level of stopping power is really confidence-inspiring when cruising at high speeds. I find myself braking way less than before because of that increased stopping power. The Mavens have just the right amount of modulation for my liking. I haven’t accidentally panic-braked and gotten myself into trouble. After just a couple of rides, I quickly became used to the stopping power, and since then, I’ve had 100% confidence in my brakes.
Brake Fade:
Let’s talk brake fade—or rather, the lack of it. I haven’t experienced any fade whatsoever, even when I was at Whistler cranking out laps for a few days this summer. Zero brake fade and plenty of power when I needed to stop. The lever gives great brake input, and I’ve consistently felt in control of the braking power. As I mentioned, the calipers and pads are huge, and squeezed by 18mm and 19.5mm pistons which undoubtedly aids in heat dissipation on long descents and during high-frequency braking scenarios.
Conclusion:
Overall, I love my Maven brake setup. It’s easy to tell that they have 50% more stopping power than the Code brake system. Tons of braking power, no brake fade, and great lever feel all equal 100% braking confidence. For context, I’m a short and stocky rider, weighing in at 190 lbs., and I’m skilled enough to ride black and double black diamond trails. I reside in SW Washington State, and my go-to local trails are Cold Creek, Thrillium, Rocky Point, and the Sandy Ridge trail systems. I mainly ride enduro-type trails and prefer the raw, kicker-littered goodness of my local trail networks. Since installing the Mavens, I’ve done a decent amount of riding in the Bellingham area, as well as some Whistler and Seattle area riding. The Mavens are super solid, very powerful, and inspire a ton of confidence. To date, I haven’t had any issues with them, beyond my front brake lever starting to squeak a little—likely due to the dusty trail conditions in Central Oregon this riding season. The trails got really dry and dusty there for a bit. Other than that, no complaints. Pick yourself up a pair. They retail for $185 for the lever and caliper combo, with rotors sold separately. I’m looking forward to putting them to the test in the wetter months up here. I’ll be swapping in the metallic pads to see the difference. I am told that I won’t need them because the organic pads do sell well due to the high amount of stopping power. I’ll be sure to post a wet weather update.
