Hello fellow riders,
I posted a while back about the problems I was having with my Magura MT5 brakes, and I’m still struggling to find a solution. You can check out my previous post here: [https://www.reddit.com/r/MTB/comments/156uwcc/poor\_braking\_performance\_with\_new\_magura\_mt5/](https://www.reddit.com/r/MTB/comments/156uwcc/poor_braking_performance_with_new_magura_mt5/)
After numerous attempts following this method: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMRk916qJTg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMRk916qJTg) , and no improvement in brake lever feel (it remained spongy), one of my brakes literally exploded, and the piston shot out, when I tried the technique from this video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtqwQB8wtYQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtqwQB8wtYQ) . Now, I’m not sure if Magura will honor my warranty.
I purchased a new rear brake set, and after about an hour of bleeding using both methods mentioned above (and finishing up by injecting brake fluid with a syringe to make the lever firm), I managed to achieve a problem-free, strong brake that worked right away. I’ve had no issues with it since. The one difference is that I use a syringe to top off the brake fluid at the very end, which results in a firm lever.
Unfortunately, I’m still facing problems with my front brake. I’ve bled it more than five times using both the traditional method and the fast bleeding technique from the second video, just like I did with the rear brake. It didn’t allow me to stop from 30 km/h on asphalt in a way that would lock the front wheel (I weigh 92 kg, bike 15 kg), but I can say that the brake was strong enough for me to lock the wheel on gravel at a speed of 40 km/h. However, after about a week following each bleed, the front brake gradually loses its strength.
I don’t see any visible leaks, although there could be some beneath the brake pads. I went for a ride today, and the brake had almost no power – I could almost pull the lever all the way to the handlebar without the bike stopping adequately. I’m unable to lock the wheel on gravel now (certainly, I’m not attempting to lock the wheel intentionally, but I do require adequate braking power.).
I’m not sure if the issue lies elsewhere, or if I ended up with a faulty brake that might be leaking somewhere. I don’t want to bleed the brake before every ride. There are no air bubbles in the brake line, neither big nor small. My bike’s rotors are Magura, and they are clean – I recently wiped them down with isopropyl alcohol just to be sure. Additionally, the brake pads are new – semi-metallic.
Has anyone here experienced similar issues with these brakes? Personally, I’m feeling quite desperate because the constant bleeding and brake problems are really taking a toll on my riding experience. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.
by TomStellarSage