lennskii

@santa-banshee: Aliexpress vendors sell a Michael Jackson dropper under a brand "EXAFORM" which is a budget offshoot brand of KS.

@nicoenduro: they are ugly, but a kind of "gives character" ugly which I kind of enjoy since the rewr of my bike looks relatively svelte. Same thoughts as Andrew Major: https://nsmb.com/articles/hayes-dominion-a4-brakes-three-years-later/

@nicoenduro: The braking power (within reason/brakes that are well regarded and powerful plenty) has more to do with pad compound than it does the actual brake. A big reason why you read reports of the TRP EVOs being less powerful vs. Maguras is because TRP pads generally are mediocre (their new race compounds are a big step up from their old offerings). Shimano OEM pads are actually very good. The benefit with the Blister Test is that they used a standardised pad and rotors (one of the best pads you can buy, Galfer Pro) across all brakes (though with the Magura they couldn't use Galfer rotors due to clearance).. The Enduro test from 2018 was with the OEM pads from the manufacturer so referring to it as some sort of holy grail of brake truth can have its pitfalls. Of that group test, I have ridden the MT7s, TRP EVOs, Shimano XTs, Hope Tech 4 V4s and Hayes Dominion A4s and have to say I concur with the Blister findings (I also switch all pads to Galfer Green or Trickstuff Power Pads). At that point of power (I'm 200lbs/90kg riding bigger travel MTBs) and the deciding factor between those 5 brakes wasn't about their absolute power but other metrics like lever feel, how the power is delivered and ease of maintenance/how much attention they need to operate properly. This is more what I meant by "you'll be fine" aka you're focusing too much on absolute power from a dyno as your metric for a brake that'll serve you best. Of those 5 the Hayes Dominion is my favourite - easiest to bleed, loads of power, lever feel is magic and has required the least amount of attention to keep running as the factory intended. Downside is it's not as popular of a brake so I've taken liberties to stock some extra spares (like pads/rebuild kit etc just in case, though haven't had to rebuild after 3 years of regular use). Hope Tech 4 v4 comes in 2nd. Magura MT7s were my least favourite (lever construction and feel and minimal pad clearance and hardest to bleed really well).

@nicoenduro: Far from the truth because you have dyno data? One or two positions up or down is an immaterial difference. The MT7s, DHR Evos and XT 4-Pots are all used by top class professionals to a higher intensity than 99.9% of the population. You'll be fine mate.

Been done (only notable brake missing is Formula Cura 4s and 2s and the new Mavens). https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/mtb-brake-shootout

@rrolly: Yep, ran DHR II for years. DHR II brakes better in a straight line but rolls noticably slower. Cornering I'd say comparable (for where I live, mostly dry/loose over hard) but I this would be a different story if you're riding mostly in loam/wet (as your can't get around a DHR II having taller knobs). If I rode mostly in loam/damper/softer conditions I'd probably go a Kryptotal-R on the back which rolls a bit faster than a DHR II and a touch less straight line braking bite.

@dirtbaggraeme: I haven't (as I'm a one MTB at a time guy and it's always in a all-mountain/enduro flavour). I wouldn't have hesitation running it up front on a trail bike though as the Xynotal doesn't have that empty channel between the center and side knobs like the Disssector. Only downside is on a light trail bike, your only option for a softer compound on the front would be an Enduro casing and up (lightest Trail casing only comes in their Endurance compound which I'd only use on the rear). Weights (and proportionally casing thickness) is (from feel): Trail (between EXO and EXO+), Enduro (between EXO+ and DD) and DH (between DD and DH).

@onawalk: Yes very predictable. The difference is like a DHF to an Assegai, though not quite as dramatic (the Dissector has a notable empty channel, like the DHF, between the center and side knobs). It is easy enough to get loose and has plenty of support/not squirmy as the lnobs are broad and supported rather than super tall. (which is why run it for the majority of my riding). The Kryptotal-F is probably the Assegai competitor from Conti (I'm currently running the Xynotal Enduro Soft Rear x Assegai EXO+ MaxxGrip front, will chuck on the Kryptotal-F Enduro Soft up front when it's worn). Wish they made the Kryptotal-F in Super Soft (only availiable in DH casing) but from touch it's a touch softer than a MaxxTerra which is fine by me (not that wet here in my part of Aus + MaxxGrip compunds have a relatively short life anyway).

@rrolly: (Anecdotal is always a bit flawed but...) I ride in mainly dry loose/hard conditions and like a rear tyre to break loose when I want it too. The knobs are wider but much more ramped than the Dissector (so doesn't start to undercut after 3-4 rides).The casing is a little stiffer (I'd say a nudge above an EXO+ but not DD). A Xynotal (Enduro Soft) is a better Dissector (way more durable, talking 2-3x more, more traction, on par rolling, 20% cheaper but weighs ~150grams more).

Really liked that combo too but would go through a Dissector way too quick (almoat 3 MaxxTerra rears for 1 MaxxGrip Assegai up front). Swapped the rear to a Conti Enduro Soft Xynotal and lasts way longer/more grip and rolls just as fast + wears much better.