SQUIRREL_13264351
SRAM updated its brakes line-up earlier this year, introducing the new Motive range, which replaces both the Level and Code brakes.
Not only that, like its DB and Maven brakes, the Motives also use mineral oil rather than SRAM’s previously preferred DOT 5.1. On top of that, SRAM now only offers four-piston brakes.
It’s no secret the Motive brakes have quite the job on their hands, having to cover everything from cross-country riding and racing previously taken care of by the Level range, through to trail use where the Code brakes would often be specced.
With such a breadth of potential uses, it’s impressive what SRAM has delivered. The Motives have a beautifully light lever feel and plenty of easy-to-control power.
But as all-rounder brakes, they might not be for everyone. That’s because they’re a touch heavier than the outgoing four-piston Level brakes they replace, and don’t offer quite the same level of bite as the older Codes.
If you’re in the market for a great-feeling set of cross-country or trail brakes, though, the Motives are well worth considering. They'll set you back £585 / $599 / €655.
SRAM Motive Ultimate Expert brake kit details and specifications
The Motive brakes are aimed at cross-country riding and racing, but should offer enough power for flat-out trail riding, too. Anything more aggressive and you’d be better served by the bigger Mavens, which offer more stopping power.
Like the Mavens and DB brakes line-up, the Motives use mineral oil.
This should mean they’ll need servicing less often because, unlike DOT fluid, mineral oil doesn't absorb water. It’s also safer to work with, which will keep mechanics happy.
The Ultimate version of the Motives gets a carbon fibre lever blade and a sealed pivot bearing to help keep things feeling smooth.
Inside the ‘stealth lever’ body, which sits close to the handlebar, SRAM’s DirectLink technology – as featured in the Level brakes – is said to deliver power in a linear, consistent manner.
This differs from the SwingLink system used in Code brakes. That’s because SwingLink used a cam to alter the leverage ratio as you squeezed the lever in a bid to boost power the further you pulled the lever towards the bar.
Since DirectLink doesn’t use a linkage, along with the more linear power delivery, SRAM has been able to save some weight, too. The simpler design also promises a solid and very positive feel.
This Ultimate model also gets titanium hardware to help save a few more grams.
While you still get a lever-reach adjuster on the Ultimate model, there’s no contact-point adjustment as you find on Maven Ultimate and Maven Silver levers, which some may miss.
This dial enables you to tweak the amount of lever travel you had before the pads contacted the rotor.
While I’m sure some riders like to use every adjustment going, providing the brakes are well bled and feel consistent, I tend to set and forget this particular dial, so it wasn't something I really missed on the Motives.
SRAM now only offers four-piston brakes. All Motives come with a pair of 15mm and 16mm phenolic pistons (identical to the outgoing Code calipers), along with its Bleeding Edge port for easier brake bleeding.
If you’ve got deep enough pockets, you can shell out for the Ultimate Expert kit, as seen here.
This gets you two brakes, four HS2 rotors of different sizes, a full set of organic and sintered brake pads, a full bleed kit, rotor bag and all the mounting hardware you could need.
With the promise of low weight, I weighed a front Motive Ultimate and front Code Ultimate with the same length hose and no MMX lever clamp attached.
While the Code weighed 289g, the Motive was lighter at 251g.
SRAM Motive Ultimate Expert Ultimate brakes performance
I had the Motive Ultimate brakes bolted to a Specialized Epic 8 Expert with a 180mm front rotor and 160mm rear (both CenterLine X discs) by a World Cup mechanic who knows a thing or two about bleeding brakes.
Clamping onto these rotors were the stock organic pads.
Testing took place on a multitude of trails, including some steeper, longer descents that I’d normally ride on a trail or enduro bike.
Conditions varied from warm and dusty to cold, wet and muddy, while the terrain included everything from manmade trail-centre surfaces to hand-cut technical singletrack.
Light to the touch
The ergonomics of the carbon lever feel great, with the end of the blade wrapping around to hug your index finger and prevent it from shuffling off the end.
When I first actuated the lever, I was surprised by how light the action felt.
There’s no breakaway force to get through – just a light, easy action that’s incredibly smooth.
Having removed a set of Levels to fit these, it’s fair to say the initial feel is similar between the two. Ride them back-to-back with Code brakes and there’s a difference, although it isn’t massive.
While the Motive brakes feel almost frictionless, the Codes take a little more finger strength to operate.
But similarities with the Level brakes taper off quickly as soon as the pads contact the rotor.
That’s because there’s what feels like far more power on tap here. While the Levels can feel a little out of their depth, especially on wet, technical trails, the Motives have always delivered the power needed when necessary.
When I needed to slow things down, I found I was able to modulate the power in a really controlled manner, feathering the lever to keep the wheels rolling without excessive force or effort through my hands, even in the wet.
Scrubbing off speed in a hurry was also very effective, especially compared to the Levels, which I’ve always felt lacked punch.
Lever pull remained consistent and solid throughout testing, too.
Trail bike territory
Head into something a little more foreboding, steeper and unforgiving – the sort of place you might ride a trail bike – and the Motives continue to perform well.
But when things get steep, they can’t quite match the outright punch and power of the old Codes.
Although the Motives feel solid when you haul on them while scrabbling down something terrifyingly steep, they’ll need a firmer squeeze to get things slowing down properly.
The Codes, on the other hand, might not have the same light lever feel, but once the pads contact the rotor, there’s a more pronounced initial bite and the power feels easier to come by.
SRAM Motive Ultimate Expert brakes bottom line
As do-it-all brakes, the SRAM Motives are great performers.
The light lever feel, consistent, solid bite and all the controllable power make them great XC brakes, even if they're a little chunkier than the XC-specific brakes they've replaced.
The Motives will handle life on the trail, too, with enough punch for most aspects of riding.
But if you’re keen on venturing into gnarlier terrain, especially the steeper stuff, they can’t quite match the outright power of the Codes.
If that is your preference, the Mavens are a better bet.
Product
| Brand | Sram |
| Price | €655.00, £585.00, $599.00 |
Features
| Brake type | hydraulic_disc |
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