Shimano XTR Trail M988 disc brake review

Shimano’s top XTR Trail brake packs in the technology to create an outstandingly controlled and sublime feeling all-mountain option. Setup is easy thanks to the hinged clamp, tool-free reach adjust for the one-finger lever and the leverage-altering, pad-clearance increasing ServoWave tracking. 

A high-volume version of Shimano’s latest double-barreled master cylinder design, Ice Technologies finned pads, plus Ice Tech steel and alloy sandwich rotors all aid heat management. This creates a cool-running big mountain brake at a cross-country weight.

The smooth control and progressive modulation is fantastic, and long-term reliability of our test sets has been perfect. Modular selling can offset the high complete price and the Ice Tech rotors come in six-bolt as well as Center Lock form.

This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.