Mountain Bike Hydraulic Brakes Guide

Mountain Bike Hydraulic Brakes Guide

The vast majority of all mid-high end mountain bikes are now fitted with Hydraulic brakes. These brake systems use a fluid to push the pads against the disk's surface; this was originally done via a cable. 

Why did hydraulic brakes take over?

Superior modulation

• Hydraulics offer a much smoother and more progressive braking feel, this allows for better control and also helps prevent lock ups which can lead to the loss of control

Increased Power

• They generate a greater breaking force with less lever effort, this allows riders to have a greater stopping power when needed

Improved lever feel

• Hydraulics provide a more positive and responsive feel, giving riders a better sense of control
• They often require a lot less lever travel to achieve full breaking force. This aids riders in many ways such as preventing head fatigue and arm pump.

Due to all of these reasons manufacturers and riders will almost always choose the hydraulic brake option. 

What is a two or four pot brake?

If you’re a fan of clean lines, carbon fibre is definitely the way to go. Carbon fibre frames are produced in molds meaning there are no joins as it is all one piece. Aluminum frames will often feature welds at these joins.

Before we can compare, we need to know what a brake “pot”. The pot simply refers to the cavity that the brake piston sits in, a two pot brake will have two pistons and a four pot will have four pistons. The amount of pistons and their sizes heavily impacts the braking performance as they allow for extra force to be applied to the disk.

2 Pot

• Lighter weight, often much lighter than a set of 4 pots 
• Reduced cost , often less expensive to purchase and maintain
• Sufficient performance, usually provide more than enough stopping power

 4 Pot

• As mentioned earlier they provide a greater stopping force, making them ideal for aggressive riding and heavier bikes.
• Improved heat dissipation, the additional pots help with heat dissipation helping to prevent brake becoming too hot and stopping power being reduced
• Extra modulation, allowing for better control over braking.

Please note:

This guide by MTB Monster is designed to help you understand the technical aspects of bike components. The information is drawn from industry knowledge and the experience of our team. While we strive for accuracy and unbiased comparisons, occasional errors or updates may occur. We always recommend doing your own research before making a final purchase decision..

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