Brembo – a name synonymous with braking excellence in motorsports for decades. Whether it’s Formula 1, MotoGP, or the Superbike World Championship – when split seconds and ultimate control matter, Brembo is usually not far. Now, the traditional Italian brand is venturing into new terrain – and they’re not doing it alone: in close partnership with Specialized and the Specialized Gravity Downhill Team around Loïc Bruni, Jordan Williams, and Finn Iles, they’re now working on a MTB-specific brake.
We had the chance to visit Brembo’s development and production facilities near Milan together with the Specialized Gravity Team, and to speak with both engineers and racers about the project.
Why mountain biking – and why now?
It’s no secret that major manufacturers—including those from the automotive world—are showing growing interest in the cycling industry. Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, mountain biking has surged into the spotlight – and with the right products and partners, there’s serious money to be made. DJI’s Avinox motor system has already shown what’s possible when cross-industry expertise comes together, backed by the financial resources and production capabilities needed to deliver a competitive product for the MTB market.
It’s no different for Brembo, because the performance demands of a modern MTB brake are strikingly similar to those in MotoGP, MXGP, or even Formula 1. Reliability, modulation, heat resistance, and control are critical factors – both on the racetrack and on the trail.
What’s interesting: developing an MTB brake isn’t just a simple case of “downsizing” existing systems – something Brembo clearly understands. Weight, leverage ratios, and braking sensitivity on loose terrain all present entirely new challenges. On top of that, mountain bike brakes are significantly more sensitive, as there are no strong engine vibrations to mask braking feedback like in motor vehicles. Braking dynamics differ significantly, too: in motorsport, it’s common to accelerate into the braking zone, leading to pronounced load shifts and affecting both weight and braking force distribution.
On a mountain bike, braking tends to be more moderate and finely modulated – instead of hammering the brakes at the end of a long straight, riders feather the brakes to maintain traction and balance on steep terrain. Additionally, trail surfaces vary far more, and tire grip is a greater limiting factor than in motorsports. A good example of this is Loïc Bruni’s choice of brake rotor sizes at his World Cup victory in Andorra: he paired a big 220 mm rotor at the rear with just a 200 mm rotor up front – something unthinkable in motorsports.
At the same time, the development of an MTB brake allows Brembo to test new approaches, rethink their innovations in a different context, and even refine their existing products retroactively – a kind of “reverse tech transfer.” And although we got to see both the development and testing departments during this visit, we’re unfortunately not allowed to show you any images – at least not yet.
What we know about Brembo’s new MTB brake
Brembo haven’t shared much yet, and there’s still no confirmation that the brake will go into series production – though we’re fairly confident that we’ll see a Brembo MTB brake on the market in the coming years. Still, with a trained eye and a few probing questions, there are several details we can glean about the current prototype.
Like most comparable systems, Brembo’s new MTB brake features four pistons. It also uses an axial master cylinder, which – with the exception of Magura – is now standard. The master cylinder allows adjustments to the lever position, bite point, and free stroke. Rumour has it that the brake’s feel can be adjusted anywhere from buttery smooth to rock solid – a fascinating shift in character that no other brake on the market currently offers. The lever itself is relatively big and wide. Interestingly, the system relies on mineral oil, even though all of Brembo’s motorsport brakes are DOT-based.
Color options are likely to be plentiful if the brake goes into production – Brembo’s color palette for their motorsports brakes is virtually endless. A proprietary 2.3 mm rotor was spotted, too. According to Brembo, they’re currently experimenting mainly with organic brake pads. Bleeding is done using a funnel, similar to systems from TRP and Shimano. The bar clamp closely resembles SRAM’s Matchmaker, raising hopes for compatibility with shift and dropper levers.
Conclusions about our visit to Brembo
Brembo are bringing their full motorsport expertise into the mountain biking segment and impresses not only with their massive scale but also with a passionate team that takes MTB seriously and wants to understand it. Loïc Bruni’s World Cup victory in Andorra already proves the potential is there. And while no series production has been officially confirmed yet, the message is crystal clear.
If you want to learn more about Brembo, take a look at their website.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.
Words: Peter Walker Photos: Peter Walker
