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Shimano’s new XT brakes introduce some neat features but we’re still not totally convinced. 

The right-angled layout leaves more bar space than previous XT, you also get bite point and reach adjustment – great for the money. 

But while they’re more powerful than previous Shimano brakes the varying feel makes modulation awkward to master. The shallow lever shape doesn’t help confidence either. 

While some sets have felt superb, we’ve had all sorts of inconsistencies with others. They’re a real fight to bleed properly, which makes their DIY kit format irritating, but a fettled set is undoubtedly good value.

The angular Manga looks and much more compact ‘radial/right-angled’ levers are definitely an improvement, and ‘free stroke’ bite-point adjustment is a great feature for the money. The extra power offered by the ‘Servo Wave’ lever cam brings them on to a par with other brakes, too, and they’re more Alp-friendly than previous Shimano anchors.

What's 'Servo Wave? It's a variable leverage widget in the lever (via the lever pivot) to enable the first part of the lever pull to move the pads in quickly and the second part to increase power. The result is a nicely modulated lever feel and a little more room around the pads, so less pad rub and extra power.

Not everyone likes the spongier (better modulated?) lever feel and, after two full days of riding, we found the levers needed pumping initially to get full power. This was partly down to pad wear but a re-bleed solved the problem.

Unless you deliberately back-pressure the system or bleed it through with padless pistons directly on the rotor, there’s loads of free movement before engagement. This combines with a slippery-tipped, rounded lever shape and the significant change in lever pull to power delivery ratio to make accurate modulation an acquired skill. 

The tool-free reach adjustment on the levers is nice and you can adjust initial lever pull to bite point like on some Avids. If you prefer Dual Control to separate levers and shifters, they're still available, in either mechanical or hydraulic versions, and the new lever bend is more comfy for one-finger braking. Choose 160, 180 or 203mm rotors in six-bolt or Centre Lock.

Even if you like your levers close in, multiple bleeding is required before the separately supplied pieces feel consistent. Pricing is undoubtedly very impressive if you’ve got the patience to get it sorted, though.

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