Magura Marta FR and Mission Performance Program - EuroBike 2010

Magura's Marta FR brake brings the long standing Marta platform to new realms with the addition of either 180 mm or 203 mm rotors. Having spent time on Marta brakes equipped with standard 6" rotors from previous seasons, I am sure that the new FR model will have enough power to keep even the heaviest and most brake happy riders stoked. Up at the master cylinder you'll find the EBT bleed port that makes for drip free maintenance, as well as a two finger lever blade with adjustable reach. The 360 gram brake uses aluminum fitting hardware at the lever to shave grams and has been designed so that trigger shifters can be mounted on either the inboard or outboard side - a feature that you won't find on everyone else's brakes. As found on their other models, there is a 5 year leak proof warranty on the Marta FR.

The dual piston caliper of the Marta FR is a solid one piece unit that can accept both 0 degree and 90 degree fittings depending on what your frame requires. Much like at the lever end, there is a threaded fitting that should keep you from spilling a drop during bleeding. I hope you like the green finish and white line combo, it will be the only color choice for the Marta FR in 2011.

Magura has spent the last two years working hard on a brand new brake platform that we'll see at some point in 2012. So what does this pile of carbon bits have to do with that? Instead of just using the status quo, Magura has been pursuing the use of different materials in new places in the battle to lower weight and heat while increasing power and usability. Expect some exciting things from them soon, but in the meantime listen to the audio below to get some hints.

Besides revealing that I don't have much to brag about when it comes to grip strength, this hand dynamometer is used to show which lever shape would be best for the amount of pressure that one can apply. There were a number of these gizmos in the booth, each with a slightly different shape - round, a slight edge, flat, etc. - to the finger handle. I must have been looking a bit skeptical as it was explained to me that that differing lever shapes can result in much different power results depending on your hand. The results speak for themselves though as I was shocked to see that my personal power numbers varied depending on the shape of the finger handle. Magura will be using this sort of information to develop their new brake.

After matching your hand up with the closest size on the left, you reached through the wall to find a brake lever at each number station. Some were Magura models, some were from the competition, to find the shape the best suited your hand and grip strength. It was neat to see and experience some of procedures that they are going through in their goal of producing a no holds barred brake. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.