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Is there any noticeable difference between the MT5 and MT7?
Putting a new build together, and I'm unsure If I want to spend the extra £100 on a set of MT7's
I can’t see any worthwhile difference, the callipers look identical to me (other than finish) and I’m not that convinced there is a great deal of difference in the lever material though the 7s do have tool free reach adjustment (I’d be happy to whip a tool out when necessary) and possibly bite point adjustment but I’m not convinced that does a great deal and my 7s only had the cover not the adjuster.
A difference that is more important to me is the 5s usually come with two finger levers but I prefer the one finger levers on the 7s. There are loads of levers available but it all adds to the cost. Best bang for your buck I think is the Trailsport set that come with one finger levers but a two pot rear calliper rather than four.
BTW My experience comes from MT7s on one bike and MT5 callipers on another but now paired with Shimano levers. The MT5 callipers and Shimano levers are my all time favourite brakes
The main thing that would out me off the MT7 is that the pads run even closer to the discs than on the MT5s, which themselves are very close.
I have MT5 with the big 2 finger lever (used with 1 finger!) and run EBC Sintered pads and Galfer 223mm discs. They feel absolutely superb. Huge power, plenty of modulation, fairly firm bite and they never fade/pump up etc.
If it was me, I would save the 100 quid.
Looks like I'll go for the cheaper MT5's 👍
I have MT5s and they are great. But with the 2 finger lever in the best 1 finger position, I found the shifter/dropper levers a bit out of place. A shiftmix would fix it, but I picked up some used 1 finger bruni levers instead and they are spot on.
Agreed, they do move them quite far in. I think i've just got used to it and there's not much pedaling required on my local trails. I am quite tempted by the Oak Components Root lever though.
It looks good. Not far off the shape of the bruni, but has huge adjustability. Probably the ultimate lever upgrade.
With a higher transmission ratio, the MT7 offers overall more braking power und a more direct braking sensation. The bite point however feels slightly softer that the MT5.
How can that be so, given the caliper and the master cylinder are the same size?
I've ended up going for the MT5's bought some one finger levers - worked out around £50 cheaper than the 7's.
Apparently the 7s (according to Magura) have more power and a different lever feel - they say that the calipers and levers between the two are not interchangeable.... But I like the idea of more room between the pads and disc and the price difference was significant.
Different lever ratio if the hydraulics are the same
Iirc the Mt5 has a 2 pads per caliper whereas the mt7 has 4smaller individual pads per caliper.
i had the 5's and they were great.
Iirc the Mt5 has a 2 pads per caliper whereas the mt7 has 4smaller individual pads per caliper.
This is true, but..... the pads are interchangeable - most reviews of the MT5 I've read say just buy mt7 pads when they need changing.
the pads are interchangeable
They are. Both take 2 or 4 pads.