Levo Gen 2 Brake upgrade for turbo levo 2020?

[Manxbiker]

I bought a base model turbo levo in June, but have found the brakes are pretty poor, even tried different pads but still don't seem very good so I'm looking at upgrading them

Can anybody tell me a decent set to get and will I need new rotors too?

Also is it difficult to replace the brakes?

Any help, info and link to suitable brakes appreciated

 

[CrzyMD]

Choosing brakes is somewhat of a personal choice. First you have to find the brakes that give you the feel you desire. SRAM brakes are mushy, and the bite point changes all the time.
Personally, I run Hopes V3 T4. 4 pot pistons, beautifully constructions from CAD/CAM billet aluminum. And in many colors if that is important to you. And parts availability is outstanding.
One problem you may have (and this is only what I have read). The braided cables will not go thru the inside of the frame tunnels. Hope says it should be no problem as both the stock cables and the braided cables, both measure 5mm.
Any brake on an e-bikes will burn thru pads quickly.
One thing you may try and a whole lot cheaper is the Deslackinators. These are little 3D printer plastic blocks that take up the slack in the CODE/SRAM brakes (half the damn lever throw is just slack on those crappy brakes!)
Here is the link: Deslackinators™ for SRAM® Guide and Code-R Brakes – Matter-Replicator
I have a set of Hope's on order. If it weren't for the Deslackinators, I would have already taken the SRAM Code brakes off and trash canned them.
If you want some real stopping power, the Trick Stuff brakes will stop an aircraft carrier! But the downside is that they are EXPENSIVE, and the backorder on them is 9 months.
Hope that helps.
Doc

 

[TrackRat]

I just ordered Magura MT7s for my 2019 Expert. Excited to try them based on the reviews. Need to now settle on 203 vs 220 rotors

 

[RebornRider]

Another vote for the Magura MT7s. I also switched to Magura 220 mm rotors. Now, even on weekends when I have slow multiple times for hikers on all my favorite fast decents, I have no fade and no howling from overheated pads like I used to get with the SRAMs. The Maguras provide good modulation, which is the one thing the SRAMs did right.

 

[TrackRat]

Any fitment issues or concerns with the 220s?

 

[RebornRider]

Any fitment issues or concerns with the 220s?

None. You need to use a different caliper adapter, but it is 100% bolt on front and rear, and there are no clearance issues.

 

[Singletrackmind]

I just ordered Magura MT7s for my 2019 Expert. Excited to try them based on the reviews. Need to now settle on 203 vs 220 rotors

I rock the Magura MT7's on my Spesh Levo S-Works. Like them so much, switching out the Sram Code RSC's on my YT Decoy Elite to them. Like CrzyMD so eloquently stated, brakes are a matter of preference. I have really like Hope brakes as well.

 

[TrackRat]

None. You need to use a different caliper adapter, but it is 100% bolt on front and rear, and there are no clearance issues.

QM 45?

 

[Flatslide]

Shimano Saint or Zee are a good option too. When your bike is 20+kgs, four pot brakes are a must really, preferably with sintered pads. My personal preference is for brakes that use mineral oil. After riding my bike at Chch bike park, my brother fitted Zee brakes to his RM Element because he loved the power and feel of my Saint units.

 

[JetSedgwick]

I just ordered Magura MT7s for my 2019 Expert. Excited to try them based on the reviews. Need to now settle on 203 vs 220 rotors

i have the exact same response...should know in a handful of days.

 

[RebornRider]

QM 45?

Yes, QM45. I just confirmed by looking at the bike.

 

[MSH]

Magura MT7, to use 220mm rotor you'll need to buy a QM45 for each rotor and 2 x M6/30mm bolt for the front (not sure for the rear).

 

[Ferd]

I bought a base model turbo levo in June, but have found the brakes are pretty poor, even tried different pads but still don't seem very good so I'm looking at upgrading them

Can anybody tell me a decent set to get and will I need new rotors too?

Also is it difficult to replace the brakes?

Any help, info and link to suitable brakes appreciated

I swapped my Guide RE brakes for Shimano Saint but just rode my buddy's bike which still has the Guide REs but with Galfer 180mm rotors and that bike had some serious stopping power. Impressive.
You could likely just swap to new rotors 1st and see where that gets you.

 

[Rich Jones 16]

I bought a base model turbo levo in June, but have found the brakes are pretty poor, even tried different pads but still don't seem very good so I'm looking at upgrading them

Can anybody tell me a decent set to get and will I need new rotors too?

Also is it difficult to replace the brakes?

Any help, info and link to suitable brakes appreciated

Hi, I ordered a 2020 levo yesterday. I got a good price on last year's model and I am spending the saving before the bike has been delivered!! Which brakes did you go for in the end. And did you change the forks out, or find them to be Ok?

Thanks
Rich

 

[JetSedgwick]

I'm having Magura MT7s put on tomorrow for my Levo.

 

[TrackRat]

The MT7s are awesome

 

[Manxbiker]

So I've finally decided to go for the mt7 and 220 rotors, not sure if I should attempt to fit them myself or put it in the shop,
Anyone who has fitted them, were they easy enough to do, only thing I'm worried about is pulling the rear hose though the frame and then bleeding them

 

[chrismechmaster]

I went mt7 220 mm rotor on the front 200 mm rotor on the back I fitted and bled them myself

The front was obviously easy
the rear if you remove the cable clamps behind the rear shock and remove the fixing that holds the brake hose down by the caliper

try to the connect the old pipe to the new pipe by using a broken screw as you push on the new hose kinda pull on the old hose gently ans slowly and it works a treat

Regarding bleeding they are actually the easiest brakes I’ve ever bled ,,,!!!
I could never bleed Sram brakes I was useless but the MT 7 were easy Just make sure you use the blue royal blood and the biggest thing don’t over tighten the bleed screw they literally made a plastic first one I did I snapped it they almost want finger tight only.

Hope this helps

 

[Manxbiker]

I went mt7 220 mm rotor on the front 200 mm rotor on the back I fitted and bled them myself

The front was obviously easy
the rear if you remove the cable clamps behind the rear shock and remove the fixing that holds the brake hose down by the caliper

try to the connect the old pipe to the new pipe by using a broken screw as you push on the new hose kinda pull on the old hose gently ans slowly and it works a treat

Regarding bleeding they are actually the easiest brakes I’ve ever bled ,,,!!!
I could never bleed Sram brakes I was useless but the MT 7 were easy Just make sure you use the blue royal blood and the biggest thing don’t over tighten the bleed screw they literally made a plastic first one I did I snapped it they almost want finger tight only.

Hope this helps

Great thanks, I've got the brakes ordered so I'll give it a go when they get here ?

 

[chrismechmaster]

Your love them really nice brakes

 

[TrackRat]

Did the upgrade myself a couple of weeks ago. 220 front and rear. But the rockshox double barb connector. Worked awesome. Cut the rear hydraulic line at the caliper, connect to the new line and pull it thru from the top. Know that once it’s all together you need to follow the bedding procedure. Mine felt pretty weak until the pads were bedded in (do a really good job bleeding the rears) but are incredible now. Zero doubt that I can get it hauled down from my fastest runs

 

[RebornRider]

Another vote for DIY for MT7/220 rotors. One unexpected bonus of the MT7 over the original SRAM is that I've only had to bleed the MT7s once when I installed them. I've got about 1000 miles on them and the lever "dead travel" has not changed and there is no sponginess in the squeeze.

 

[itsanebikething]

I’d recommend hope v4 brakes. Very reliable and if something does go wrong every part is available as a spare. Loads of modulation and you can set up the reach and bite points independently. Available in lots of different colours to suit your bike. Prob lighter weight than your current brakes. Run hope brakes for the past 15 years and very rarely have an issue with them.

 

[MBag85]

Great thanks, I've got the brakes ordered so I'll give it a go when they get here ?

Looking to do the same upgrade, do you have a list of everything you needed to upgrade?

 

[Manxbiker]

Looking to do the same upgrade, do you have a list of everything you needed to upgrade?

I got 2 x Magura MDR-P Rotors 220mm
2 x Magura qm45 post mounts
1 set of magura MT7 Pro brakes

 

[Jack_is_Back]

I didn't like the Guide REs either - far too much lever travel plus I just prefer the feel of Shimano brakes generally. I went with Saints and 200mm XT rotors - much happier now.

Also took the opportunity to junk the SRAM shifter and mech for XT, actually shifts loads better even with the same cassette and chain. Had to swap the dropper lever also as it's MM so got a Wolf Tooth - expensive but an improvement over the standard.

Lovely clean cockpit and improved the worst bits of the bike for me (2020 Levo Comp) - cost a few quid all in all but worth it.

 

[Ami]

Upgraded my 2019 XL Comp to the Code RSC's, Sram 220 rotors and using sintered metallic pads from Trucker. For me @ 230lbs, that all works great! I have other Levo's in my stable with Guide's that I will be converting over to this same set-up.

 

[MBag85]

Upgraded my 2019 XL Comp to the Code RSC's, Sram 220 rotors and using sintered metallic pads from Trucker. For me @ 230lbs, that all works great! I have other Levo's in my stable with Guide's that I will be converting over to this same set-up.

I couldn't get the MT7 anywhere so went with Hope v4s and 220 front and back. I'm 240lbs all in and the guides are not the greatest

 

[Yair]

I have shigura slx levers an mt5 caliper omg
Best brake ever.
Very strong bite an very good modulation .

 

[tacoma22]

I absolutely love the shimano slx 4 piston m7120’s. So much so I’m ordering them for my regular bike as well. They have been awesome on my levo on very steep and long descents. No fade whatsoever run after run. I’m super impressed.

Matched with 203mm rotors