I’ve narrowed down my new brake choices to either doing a Shigura set-up with saint levers and MT7 callipers or going with Hope Tech 4 V4. Anyone have experience with both set-ups? I’ve been reading reviews of the new Hopes and everyone seems to love them but it’s the same with Shigura set-ups.
Shigura vs Hope T4V4
- Thread starter Ou812
- Start date
That's a good question.
M820 saints are my benchmark.
Mt7 with xt levers are also superb.
Tech 3 v4 are adequate, nothing more. Wonder how much better they are with the later lever?
M820 saints are my benchmark.
Mt7 with xt levers are also superb.
Tech 3 v4 are adequate, nothing more. Wonder how much better they are with the later lever?
Paulquattro
E*POWAH Elite
Hope brakes are not for me personally mainly because of the dot fluid and i have had problems in the past
I did experiment with shigura but didn't find any advantage over the complete saints set up
For me then it would be M820 Saints and have been for many miles and years .
I did experiment with shigura but didn't find any advantage over the complete saints set up
For me then it would be M820 Saints and have been for many miles and years .
steve_sordy
Wedding Crasher
What's wrong with Merlin Cycles? I have used them before without any problems.
I haven't had occasion to use them recently, but I have been using them since Sep'11.
I haven't had occasion to use them recently, but I have been using them since Sep'11.
- Thread starter
- #6
I’ve never ordered from them but was going by the reviews, some are good but there’s a ton of negative reviews. If they’re legit they’re the only place with a complete set of Saints in stock that I’ve been able to find.
steve_sordy
Wedding Crasher
I have not bought anything from them since Dec'20, but that is not because of any warnings or doubts. It's just that they haven't had what I wanted at a price I was prepared to pay. I would get in there and buy those Saints before someone else on this Forum dives in before you!
Defmech
Member
I've never had any issue with Merlin. 5 orders over the last couple of years.
Merlin are mint, one of my main go-to shops as I have a gold discount with them, due to spending so much with them last year.
I must have spent thousands with Merlin over the years and they've been absolutely faultless.
If you use Topcashback you can get 5% cashback at Merlin as well, which is a bonus!
Defmech
Member
Now I’m looking at the Saint brakes. But can they be used with 2.4mm rotors? 
Who makes 2.4mm rotors?Now I’m looking at the Saint brakes. But can they be used with 2.4mm rotors?
Although I haven't tried, I have ordered some 2.3mm TRP r1's for mine as I read they fitted.
I wouldn’t recommend 2.4 rotors the MT7 calipers sit closer than MT5s I have run with 2.3 TRP rotors & Ali express levers similar to new Clark’s brakes. Had issues so Gone back to MT5 levers & calipers better modulation than with Shimano levers which are very on off power. I run the Loic Bruni levers
Defmech
Member
Typo. Meant 2.3. 
Saints are great but mega grabby. Overkill for uk riding really. I tried hope t4 v4 in the alps and they work well, lots of power, lots of modulation, no heat issues. I plan to fit some to my e-bike at some point soon.
I have never ridden shigura, but had a squish on some XTR/MT7 last week and they felt pretty good. XTR lever gives a bit more modulation than Saint
+1 for Merlin (also tredz, tweeks, winstanleys, team cycles), I’ve ordered from them a bunch and the customer service is much better than crc/wiggle
I have never ridden shigura, but had a squish on some XTR/MT7 last week and they felt pretty good. XTR lever gives a bit more modulation than Saint
+1 for Merlin (also tredz, tweeks, winstanleys, team cycles), I’ve ordered from them a bunch and the customer service is much better than crc/wiggle
- Thread starter
- #16
Will the saints work with a 2.3 rotor? I have the Hope HD rotors and was having issues with the codes rubbing no matter what I did.
I’m trying to price everything out now, I can get the Hope T4V4 from a local shop at a really good deal and I wouldn’t need to buy new rotors. The saints are cheaper but will end up costing more in the end if I have to buy new rotors.
I’m trying to price everything out now, I can get the Hope T4V4 from a local shop at a really good deal and I wouldn’t need to buy new rotors. The saints are cheaper but will end up costing more in the end if I have to buy new rotors.
- Thread starter
- #18
Uberbike sells a kit specifically for the shigura set up, it comes with all the correct fittings you need with hose and it’s cheaper than the magura hose kit. Otherwise you would use the magura hose with a shimano olive/barb.
- Thread starter
- #20
You can use either fluid, if you’re starting with a complete Magura brake I’d just stick with the Magura oil but I was planning on buying the MT7 callipers only so I’d use Shimano oil. I’ve been using shimano oil in my magura brakes on my other bike for 2 years now.
Fwiw, I have a pair of Saint brakes on another bike and have Shigura (XT levers and MT5 calipers) on my ebike and I think the Shigura set up is better (although Saint is very good). You can use either Shimano or Magura fluid with Shiguras (some people have used a mixture to get purple fluid!) I personally used Magura Blood as it was already in the calipers and hoses so I was only effectively topping up the lever/master cylinders. You can also use either barbs and olives as both work fine despite one having a slightly larger bore in the barb.
Another vote of confidence for Merlin from me, I've bought plenty from them with no issues.
Happy New Brakes whichever set up you decide on.
Another vote of confidence for Merlin from me, I've bought plenty from them with no issues.
Happy New Brakes whichever set up you decide on.
Singletrackmind
Active member
I run a Shigura set-up (Saint levers/MT7 calipers/MDR-P 220mm f/r rotors/Performance brakepad rear/sport brake pad front) on all 3 of my emtbs and rate them very high.
Awesome modulation and excellent stopping power on long dh trails. If you go this route, use Magura Brake Cables/olive and barbs (the internal diameter of cable is slightly larger then Shimano Brake cables and external diameter of barb is also slightly larger as well). Obviously you will need to use Magura Royal Blood brake fluid.
Have previously run various dedicated Shimano and SRAM brake set ups, Shimano are a little too much off/on for my taste and IMHO SRAM are complete junk. Haven't run Hope's in many years, so cannot give any input.
Magura's can be a pain in the arse to bleed. There are some good videos on YouTube that can assist.
Awesome modulation and excellent stopping power on long dh trails. If you go this route, use Magura Brake Cables/olive and barbs (the internal diameter of cable is slightly larger then Shimano Brake cables and external diameter of barb is also slightly larger as well). Obviously you will need to use Magura Royal Blood brake fluid.
Have previously run various dedicated Shimano and SRAM brake set ups, Shimano are a little too much off/on for my taste and IMHO SRAM are complete junk. Haven't run Hope's in many years, so cannot give any input.
Magura's can be a pain in the arse to bleed. There are some good videos on YouTube that can assist.
Hicksy 92
Member
nothing wrong with Merlin cycles , pretty good on prices too, I think I’ve had most of my new tyres from them , as they seem to have the best prices regularly
Last edited:
Hicksy 92
Member
Been running hope v4’s since January on my levo , they have been brilliant with no issues, way better than the sram codes they replaced
Christurbo
E*POWAH Master
I’m running:-
Saint Levers
MT7 Pro Calipers
Galfer Purple Pads
Magura lines
MDR-P Rotors (220mm)
The setup is just incredible (and that’s coming from a full Saint setup).
Bleeding is easy when you get used to it (but not as easy as SRAM / Shimano.
Saint Levers
MT7 Pro Calipers
Galfer Purple Pads
Magura lines
MDR-P Rotors (220mm)
The setup is just incredible (and that’s coming from a full Saint setup).
Bleeding is easy when you get used to it (but not as easy as SRAM / Shimano.
Singletrackmind
Active member
NICE set-up! From what I've read, Galfer and Magura pads are manufactured at the same plant, just color coded differently and sold under the 2 brand names. How do the purple Galfers perform when wet?
Singletrackmind
Active member
Christurbo
E*POWAH Master
Amazingly. I’ve always used purples on all setups I’ve tested.
Merlin probably one of the first bike suppliers in UK been on the go 30 years I would guess.
Christurbo
E*POWAH Master
I’ve used Merlin loads this year. Great company. I’d definitely not put them in the shady camp!!!
EMTB Forums
Latest articles
-
Introducing the Forestal e-Cygnus - a downcountry and XC emtb
The new Forestal e-Cygnus is a slightly unusual emtb. It comes in two... -
2025 M1 Sporttechnik EN 8.0 review
The M1 EN is one of four M1 models built on the same frame. Well, it’s...