Formula's Cura is the latest brake from the brand that invented the fully hydraulic mountain bike disc brake way back in '93. After a few years with little fanfare, the Italian's went back to the drawing board to create an all new brake that uses an axial master cylinder, charged with mineral oil, that pushes two 24mm pistons inside a forged caliper. The Cura is available in gloss black or polished finish, with three popular rotor diameters supported. Rotor options are a one-piece, or a lighter-weight, two-piece design with an aluminum spider. Pricing is competitive at $150 USD / € 105 EUR per brake, plus the cost of the rotors.
Formula Cura Details • Dual 24mm piston caliper
• Speed Lock hose disconnect
• One or 2-piece rotors in 160/180/200mm
• Flip-flop levers
• Gloss black or polished
• Integrated clamp options
• Mineral oil
• Weight: 410 grams (90cm hose, 180mm rotor, and hardware)
• Price: $150 USD / € 105 EUR each
• Contact:
Formula Brakes Installation When I preordered the brakes, I opted for 180mm one-piece rotors to keep things simple, as I would be able to bolt the calipers straight on with no mounts. Not so easy, though. As on its Selva forks, Formula's calipers are configured for post-mounts and 160mm rotors. C'mon guys, who is ever going to use a smaller rotor than a 180mm on a burly enduro fork? Formula argues they have many riders using a 130mm Selva and 160mm rotor, but I haven't seen them. Then, my Starling frame turned up with IS160 flange mounts, so gone was my idea of simplicity and I had to stack a +20mm post-mount adapter onto an IS160 flange-mount adapter (chum for the commenters).
Anyway, things were simple after that, as the brakes came bled and ready to install from the factory. The Speed Lock hose disconnector is genius and makes installing the brakes or re-routing them through frames simple. First, pull back the rubber cover, flick off the radial spring, and then slide the cam to disconnect. It's similar to the connections found on air compressors and tools. Reverse the process to re-connect the brake line and there is no air incursion, so no need to bleed the brakes – awesome.
What looks like an on-the-fly adjuster located behind the lever to tune the bite point, isn't, but it is possible to adjust with a 2.5mm allen key. The lever blade is shaped to be parallel with the handlebar at an average bite point and, although I run my levers farther out than most people, I found the shape, throw, and bite point to be ideal. Finally, there is an option for 'MixMaster' clamps, which allow owners to directly mount their shift and dropper controls to the brake perches to clean up the handlebar.
Performance The Cura brake has a great feeling. The long lever gives plenty of power and has a more rounded blade than many levers, which gives a precise and easier to modulate feeling. Modulation is hugely impressive, and there is very little resistance when pulling the lever. Even with the medium-sized 180mm rotors, however long the descent was, I couldn't get them to show any signs of overheating and always had enough power, that I never thought twice about looking for bigger rotors. Mixed with organic pads, there was more than enough power at all times - except in wet conditions, where some heat was needed to get them biting. I would look to change to sintered pads if I were riding regularly in wet conditions.
Compared to stalwart stoppers, the Cura has more modulation than SRAM's Guide and Code, and power seems similar to the four piston Code. Shimano's XT Trail brakes have more power, but I find them to be too aggressive at the start of the lever stroke, where the Cura builds power more gently and makes it easier to control wheel traction.
I had no problems during the duration of the test, as the Cura's worked perfectly. The pads lasted for weeks and the rotors stayed true. Formula have crafted a fantastic brake that I wouldn't hesitate to use on any bike, in any conditions. In fact, it was the only two-piston brake on the World Cup DH circuit - on the race winning bike of Finn Iles in 2017.
The only negative point I could find with the Cura is the hose connection at the caliper. I would like to see an adjustable banjo-style connection there to angle the hose to suit different frame and fork configurations.
Pinkbike's Take: | The Cura has put Formula back in the braking game. with a system that rivals or betters most of its competition. They have a great feel and as much power as any rider could need. And, for those who believe they need more, a four-piston version should be available soon - that could be something very special indeed.— Paul Aston |
These could be the brakes for you..
So funny I squealed avidly.
Did you win you girlfriend back by singing her "i'll give you my oil" on a banjo?
Maybe have air suspension, 29" wheels, dropper post, carbon frames...
Big brands probably are not always the first but they are pushing innovation as well.
Although their marketing of mikrovations is annoying. 28,99.
Worth mentioning they weight less than Xtr, and cost like Xt (easier to find deals on shimano).
when reviewing brakes the staple to compare to is HOPE
Hope Tech 3 V4 = £150
Shimano Saint M820 = £150
Magura MT8 = £170
Formula RO = £1,000,000
Sram Code RSC = £175
etc etc etc
And why on earth do you seem to think you have to use Hope rotors with Hope brakes?
I use V4's with Shimano RT-76 rotors, and guess what, they work fine because they're just round steel things, and they cost around £25 each.
Did you and everyone that propped you just not realize any of this? Or do you have a problem with Hope in general or something? Do you just not know the real price of things so just make numbers up? Did you have nothing else to say? What is it? I'm just trying to figure it out...
Yes the Cura is more budget friendly at around £100. But here's my problem. I'd hazard a guess that you, like 99% of all PB users are a keen mountain biker, but are you riding around on a 1995 GT Zaskar with V-Brakes because you still can't afford to upgrade? I'll go out on a limb here and say no, no you're not. Mostly everyone here has a very nice bike, as well as an expensive helmet, all the gear, a Camelback etc... The list goes on... And i simply cannot accept that anyone agreeing with your comment really couldn't save up £100 more to have the best brakes out there, or any of the ones in the list above over the Cura. Maybe i'm naive and there are thousands of Pinkbike users kids all around the world going hungry everyday because daddy needs new brake pads this month so he can't afford to buy any gruel. Or, maybe the Cura really is hands down better than all those mentioned so it's simply not worth spending the extra, but i very much doubt it.
I understand brakes like this for OEM use, but why anyone would buy them aftermarket is a bit of a mystery.
I'm very far from being rich, i have only one bike, but why when even just putting rubber on your wheels costs £100, would you scrimp out on the only thing more important to your safety than a helmet?
Hope stuff looks nice, but is definitely in the top tier pricing wise. I'd be looking at ~$700CAD for a set of brakes. That is more than the average Canadian takes home after a week of servitude. A lot more. Even making $22/Hr with a 40Hr work week, and a bi-weekly pay, you take home ~$650 after taxes etc...
Credit isn't money. It's a trap. True story.
Firstly everything under the link is either irrelevant or just incorrect, and the link itself takes you to page that simply proves what i just said???
There is so little relative price difference between very average brakes in the £100 - £120 bracket, and the very best at around £150 - £170.
They even have a special offer on that page for a set of Hope V4's with a fancy Hope rotor for £200 which is only £25 more than buying a V4 and a cheap Shimano RT-75 as i suggested.
If you are in the market for brakes, and you have £240 to spend on some Sram Guide RS brakes for example, why the f*ck wouldn't you just wait another month and save up the extra £60 for the Hopes? You could even just use your current rotors.
Ooh and here look i can post links too:
winstanleysbikes.co.uk/hope-tech-3-v4-front-disc-brake-with-braided-hose?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1onVz8fu2gIV7bXtCh0smACHEAQYByABEgIFlvD_BwE#black-left-hand
A Hope V4 for £152, just £30 more than a bullshit Guide RS from your link.
That's $529 CAD for a set of Hope V4's vs $418 for the Guides, where'd you get $700 from? And I never mentioned credit, I said save up.
Do you get my point yet? If you already have some money saved up or available to buy some brakes, only impatience is standing between the Guides and the $110 extra you'd need for the Hopes, not to mention the fact that reliability, longevity and serviceability is paramount to us poor people.
And then there's eBay.
Ffs.
You must work for Hope or be buddy buddy with someone there? For me to get a set of Hope brakes on my bike HERE in Canada would cost me roughly $700. Can you change that fact? Don't forget shipping, brokerage/duty/import fees, sales tax, and conversion rates.
I'll never see your 'point'.
I don't do eBay.
FFS
Guides were an example and you know it.
I don't work for Hope and i suspect you know that too.
Hopes were also an example, Saints are the same price, i know you just won't get it.
"I don't do eBay" said no intelligent person ever.
Feel free to continually make bad choices it makes no difference to me.
Why on earth would they work any differently? You tell me...
You just keep saying that are demonstratively untrue. Using non Hope cheap rotors isn't the same as the difference between using Pirellis and budget tyres on any car. Being savvy about where you spend and where you save is at the heart of what i'm saying.
If you're going to try and say clever things to make a point at least make them clever...
I aint no fanboy.
I had the The Ones (not even the best) and the Modulation of the levers were superb - my Saints just bite.
And I really liked the levee per se- perfect in the hands.
Big upside is now mineral oil- otherwise I would have bought a pair sooner- we’ll done Formula!
And they are double the price
Thanks
Apostrophe indicates possessive not plural.
Doesn't anyone car about punctuation anymore, especially professional writers?
In it they mention Shimano first produced a disc brake called the the 'e - type' granted, it was cable actuated. I doubt hydraulic was far behind. The article briefly describes "v brake C" & a drum brake called "radiax"
Being old...
www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/A_Complete_Line_of_Shimano_1975_page_29.html
Why they didn't catch on then, I don't know. Weight? Reliability? It seems like an idea way ahead of its time, there's no way an old steel frame could deal with the braking forces imparted on it through that sketchy mounting system, and setting them up was probably a right bitch...anyway @paulaston, STOP DRINKING THE f*ckING KOOLAID, AND YOU AREN'T INNOCENT EITHER FORMULA.
If you don't want to participate in the conversation, feel free to leave the site. I'm sure none of us will mourn the loss.