SRAM’s New MAVEN Brakes
Image per SRAM
Quite the statement from SRAM:
“Maven is the absolute most powerful brake we’ve ever made. “
More power, less fatigue is what the other marketing jargon boils down to.
The other huge notable thing for me is the adoption of mineral oil instead of DOT fluid, which enhances safety and environmental friendliness.
Other notable key points:
Seals using propietary material to reduce heat
Improved heat management and seals
Proprietary material in the piston seals that retains its properties to maintain air-tight sealing regardless of extreme braking heat or low atmospheric temperatures.
Power surpassing the SRAM Code by nearly 50%
Four caliper pistons measuring 19.5mm and 18mm
Lighter force at the lever
32% lighter input force at the lever to generate the same amount of power as Code
The Maven comes in three variants with different features and price points, catering to various needs and preferences.
Aside from the differences in lever and caliper finishes ranging from clear or red anodized (Ultimate) to black anodized (Silver) and dark polar anodized (Bronze), i know, super confusing, the only standout differences I see within the range is minor weight and lever adjustability which is not available for the Bronze set.
Final Thoughts
Full disclosure, i’m more of a Shimano brake guy vs. a SRAM brake guy, one of the main reasons being DOT fluid is just nasty and makes bleeding a PITA. I gotta say this move towards mineral oil is a refreshing one especially with the claimed added benefit that they’ve tried to address all the downsides of mineral oil, heat being one them. Aesthetically, I think the levers and calipers look super sexy with a good blend of modernity and an industrial look and if the reviews come in good for this one, I may be tempted to hook up the SRAMs to my bike.
