Popular Mountain Bikes of 2027 and the Brakes They Use

Mountain bikes are getting faster, more capable and more demanding on their brakes. Looking ahead to 2027, the clearest trend is not a single new frame standard or wheel size. It is the spread of powerful four-piston brakes and 200 mm-class rotors across mainstream trail bikes.

This guide looks at eighteen established mountain-bike platforms that are likely to remain influential through the 2027 model cycle, and explains the braking hardware used on the current reference builds.

Important: not every manufacturer has announced a complete 2027 range. The specifications below are based on manufacturer information available in August 2026. Components can vary by market, frame size and build level, so always check the exact bike before ordering replacement pads or rotors.

At a glance: eighteen mountain bikes and their brakes

Mountain bike	Brake system	Caliper	Rotor setup
Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Expert	SRAM Maven Bronze	Four-piston hydraulic	200 mm front; 180-200 mm rear
Santa Cruz Hightower GX AXS	SRAM Maven Bronze	Four-piston hydraulic	200 mm front; 180 mm rear
Canyon Spectral CF 8	SRAM Code Bronze Stealth	Four-piston hydraulic	200 mm-class rotor
Orbea Occam LT M10	Shimano XT M8220	Four-piston hydraulic	203 mm front; 180 mm rear
Scott Ransom 900 RC	SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth	Four-piston hydraulic	200 mm front and rear
Amflow PL Carbon Pro (800Wh)	Magura MT7 Pro	Four-piston hydraulic	203 mm front and rear
COMMENCAL META POWER SX AVINOX ROCKSHOX	SRAM Maven Base	Four-piston hydraulic	200 mm front and rear
Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Comp Alloy (2026)	SRAM Maven Bronze	Four-piston hydraulic	220 mm front; 200 mm rear
Santa Cruz Vala GX AXS (2026)	SRAM Maven Bronze	Four-piston hydraulic	200 mm front and rear
Santa Cruz Bullit GX AXS (2026)	SRAM Maven Bronze	Four-piston hydraulic	200 mm front and rear
Giant Reign Advanced E+ 2 (2026)	Shimano SLX	Four-piston hydraulic	220 mm front and rear
COMMENCAL Clash V3 Signature (2027)	Shimano XT	Four-piston hydraulic	200 mm front and rear
Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 7 (2026)	Shimano XT M8220	Four-piston hydraulic	203 mm front; 180 mm rear
Megamo Reason CRB 05 (2027)	Shimano XT M8220	Four-piston hydraulic	203 mm front and rear
Forbidden Druid LitE 2	SRAM Maven Silver	Four-piston hydraulic	200 mm front and rear
Norco Sight VLT TQ C3 (2026)	TRP Slate EVO	Four-piston hydraulic	203 mm front; 180 mm rear
Norco Range VLT CX C2 (2026)	TRP Slate EVO	Four-piston hydraulic	203 mm front; 180 mm rear
Norco Sight C1 160 MX (2026)	SRAM Maven Silver	Four-piston hydraulic	200 mm front; 180 mm rear

1. Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Expert

The Specialized Stumpjumper has long been one of the defining all-round trail bikes. The current Stumpjumper 15 Expert combines 145 mm of rear travel with a 150 mm fork on most sizes, putting it firmly in the modern trail category.

Its braking system is SRAM Maven Bronze with four-piston hydraulic calipers. Specialized lists a 200 mm HS2 rotor at the front. At the rear, smaller S1 and S2 sizes use a 180 mm rotor while S3 to S6 sizes use 200 mm.

Maven is an extremely powerful brake family. On a trail bike, that extra power can reduce hand fatigue and provide a useful reserve on steep, wet or sustained descents. The rider still needs good modulation, because a strong caliper paired with a large rotor can feel very immediate compared with lighter cross-country systems.

Brake verdict: serious stopping power on a versatile trail platform. The size-specific rear rotor choice is a sensible way to balance power, rider weight and control.

View the current Specialized specification

2. Santa Cruz Hightower GX AXS

The Santa Cruz Hightower is a big-mountain trail bike built around 29-inch wheels, 150 mm of rear travel and a 160 mm fork. It sits in the sweet spot between an everyday trail bike and a full enduro machine.

The current GX AXS reference build uses SRAM Maven Bronze four-piston brakes with a 200 mm SRAM HS2 rotor at the front and a 180 mm HS2 rotor at the rear.

This staggered rotor setup is common for good reason. The front brake performs most of the stopping work and benefits from the leverage and heat capacity of the larger disc. A 180 mm rear rotor saves a little weight and helps the rider control the rear tyre without locking it too easily.

Brake verdict: a confident setup for steep natural trails and long mountain rides, with substantial front power and a controllable rear brake.

View the current Santa Cruz specification

3. Canyon Spectral CF 8

The Canyon Spectral CF 8 is a playful trail bike with a carbon frame, 150 mm fork and 140 mm of rear travel. It is designed to pedal efficiently enough for full days out while remaining capable on rough, steep descents.

Canyon equips the reference build with SRAM Code Bronze Stealth four-piston brakes and SRAM Centerline 200 mm-class rotors. Code has been a familiar sight on aggressive trail and enduro bikes for years, offering a useful blend of power, modulation and widely available replacement parts.

The large rotor gives the system more mechanical leverage and allows it to absorb and release more heat. That matters for heavier riders, repeated trail-centre laps and longer descents where a smaller rotor may begin to feel less consistent.

Brake verdict: a proven, easy-to-understand setup for riders who want one bike for local loops, trail centres and occasional enduro-style terrain.

View the current Canyon specification

4. Orbea Occam LT M10

Orbea's Occam LT M10 takes the standard trail-bike formula in a more aggressive direction, combining 160 mm of front travel with 150 mm at the rear. It is light enough for long rides but intended to cope with the speeds and impacts normally associated with enduro riding.

The current bike uses Shimano XT M8220 hydraulic disc brakes and Galfer Wave rotors: 203 mm at the front and 180 mm at the rear. Shimano XT brakes are known for a positive lever feel and strong initial bite, while the large front rotor adds heat capacity and power.

The 203/180 combination is particularly well suited to riders who value a strong front brake but prefer a slightly calmer rear. Riders who are heavier, ride very steep terrain or regularly tackle alpine-length descents may prefer a 203 mm rear rotor, provided the frame and adapter allow it.

Brake verdict: a crisp, controlled system with a sensible rotor split for aggressive trail riding.

View the current Orbea specification

5. Scott Ransom 900 RC

The Scott Ransom 900 RC is the gravity-focused bike in this group. With 170 mm of travel at both ends, it is designed for enduro racing, bike parks and the kind of terrain where brakes must repeatedly manage high speeds and high temperatures.

Scott lists SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth four-piston brakes with 200 mm SRAM HS2 rotors front and rear. Equal-size rotors make sense on a long-travel enduro bike because the rear system also receives sustained use during steep and technical descending.

HS2 rotors are designed for demanding mountain-bike braking and provide the thermal capacity expected on a bike of this type. Correct bedding-in and uncontaminated pads remain essential; even the most expensive brake cannot perform properly with glazed or oily friction material.

Brake verdict: an enduro-ready system focused on consistency and heat management rather than minimum weight.

View the current Scott specification

6. Amflow PL Carbon Pro (800Wh)

The Amflow PL Carbon Pro combines 150 mm of rear travel with a 160 mm fork and the DJI Avinox M1 drive unit. It brings full-power e-MTB assistance to a lightweight carbon trail platform designed for technical climbs, fast descents and long days in the hills.

The current 800Wh reference build uses Magura MT7 Pro hydraulic disc brakes with HC levers, four-piston calipers and 203 mm Storm HC rotors at the front and rear.

That equal-size rotor setup suits a powerful e-MTB. The 203 mm discs provide strong leverage and heat capacity, while the four-piston calipers help control the extra speed and weight generated by the motor and battery.

Brake verdict: a powerful, heat-resistant setup that matches the Amflow's high-performance e-MTB character.

View the current Amflow specification

7. COMMENCAL META POWER SX AVINOX ROCKSHOX

The new 2027 COMMENCAL META POWER SX AVINOX is a full-power aluminium enduro e-MTB with 160 mm of rear travel through the Virtual Contact System linkage, a 170 mm fork and a mixed 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear wheel setup. Its AVINOX M2S drive unit delivers up to 150 Nm of peak torque and 1,300 W in boost mode, with an 800 Wh battery on M, L and XL sizes and 600 Wh on size S.

The ROCKSHOX reference build uses SRAM Maven Base four-piston brakes with 200 mm SRAM HS2 rotors front and rear. That is a suitably powerful, heat-resistant setup for a 26 kg full-power e-MTB intended for steep, technical terrain.

Brake equipment varies across the range. For example, the 2027 RIDE build uses TRP DHR EVO four-piston brakes with 220 mm front and 203 mm rear rotors, so check the exact build and caliper before ordering pads.

Brake verdict: the ROCKSHOX build pairs Maven power with equal-size 200 mm rotors for predictable control and heat management on aggressive e-enduro descents.

View the current COMMENCAL specification

8. Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Comp Alloy (2026)

The fourth-generation Specialized Turbo Levo is a full-power trail e-MTB with 150 mm of rear travel, a 160 mm FOX 36 fork and mixed 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear wheels. The 2026 Comp Alloy uses Specialized's 3.1 motor, rated at 105 Nm and 810 W, with an 840 Wh battery.

The reference build uses SRAM Maven Bronze four-piston brakes with a 220 mm Centerline rotor at the front and a 200 mm rotor at the rear. The oversized front disc adds leverage and thermal capacity for controlling a powerful e-MTB on steep descents.

Brake verdict: a high-power trail setup with extra front-rotor capacity, well matched to the Levo's speed, weight and long-ride capability.

View the current Specialized Turbo Levo specification

9. Santa Cruz Vala GX AXS (2026)

The 2026 Santa Cruz Vala GX AXS is a carbon full-power e-MTB designed around 150 mm of rear travel, a 160 mm FOX 38 fork and an MX wheel setup. Its Bosch Performance Line CX drive unit is paired with a 600 Wh battery, giving the Vala a focused balance of climbing assistance and agile trail handling.

Santa Cruz specifies SRAM Maven Bronze four-piston brakes with 200 mm SRAM HS2 rotors at both ends. Equal-size discs suit the Vala's approximately 22 kg weight and give the rear brake strong heat capacity for repeated technical descents.

Brake verdict: powerful, consistent braking on a mid-travel e-MTB, with 200 mm rotors front and rear keeping the setup balanced.

View the current Santa Cruz Vala specification

10. Santa Cruz Bullit GX AXS (2026)

The 2026 Santa Cruz Bullit GX AXS moves further towards downhill and bike-park terrain. It combines 170 mm of front and rear travel, mixed 29-inch and 27.5-inch wheels, a Bosch Performance Line CX drive unit and a 600 Wh battery in a carbon chassis.

The GX AXS reference build also uses SRAM Maven Bronze four-piston brakes with 200 mm SRAM HS2 rotors front and rear. The Bullit frame supports rotors up to 220 mm, but any increase should follow Santa Cruz and SRAM adapter and compatibility guidance.

Brake verdict: a gravity-ready Maven system with equal-size 200 mm rotors; riders tackling very long or exceptionally steep descents may consider the frame's supported rotor options.

View the current Santa Cruz Bullit specification

11. Giant Reign Advanced E+ 2 (2026)

The redesigned 2026 Giant Reign Advanced E+ 2 is a gravity-focused full-power e-MTB with 170 mm of Maestro rear suspension and a 180 mm RockShox ZEB fork. Its composite chassis uses mixed 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear wheels, while the SyncDrive Pro 3 motor delivers 90 Nm of torque from a 560 Wh integrated battery with an optional 280 Wh range extender.

Giant equips this build with Shimano SLX four-piston brakes and exceptionally large 220 mm rotors at both ends. That gives the system substantial leverage and heat capacity for a powerful long-travel e-bike.

Brake verdict: one of the most heavy-duty brake packages in this guide, with twin 220 mm rotors prioritising control and temperature management on sustained descents.

View the current Giant Reign Advanced E+ specification

12. COMMENCAL Clash V3 Signature (2027)

The new 2027 COMMENCAL Clash V3 Signature is a 27.5-inch freeride and bike-park machine built around an aluminium frame, 170 mm of rear travel and a 180 mm FOX 38 Factory fork. Its progressive suspension and compact wheels are intended to keep it playful while retaining the support needed for large impacts and rough descents.

The Signature build uses Shimano XT four-piston brakes with 200 mm six-bolt rotors front and rear. COMMENCAL lists resin pads as standard, so riders using the bike for repeated park laps should monitor heat, wear and rotor compatibility when considering a different compound.

Brake verdict: a balanced 200/200 mm XT setup that matches the Clash's aggressive freeride intentions without adding unnecessarily oversized rotors.

View the current COMMENCAL Clash V3 specification

13. Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 7 (2026)

The 2026 Trek Fuel Gen 7 is an adaptable carbon trail platform offered in several travel and wheel configurations. The Fuel EX 9.8 XT Di2 reference build combines 145 mm of rear travel with a 150 mm fork, internal frame storage and adjustable suspension progression.

Braking is handled by Shimano XT M8220 four-piston calipers with a 203 mm RT86 rotor at the front and a 180 mm RT86 rotor at the rear. The staggered rotor layout gives the front strong leverage while keeping the rear brake easier to modulate on a lighter, non-assisted trail bike.

Brake verdict: a modern four-piston XT system with a sensible 203/180 mm rotor split for technical trail riding and long days in varied terrain.

View the current Trek Fuel EX specification

14. Megamo Reason CRB 05 (2027)

The 2027 Megamo Reason CRB 05 is a carbon e-enduro bike with 160 mm of travel at both ends. Its Avinox M2S drive unit can deliver up to 150 Nm and 1,300 W in boost mode, while the integrated 800 Wh battery is intended for long, demanding rides.

Megamo specifies Shimano XT M8220 four-piston brakes with 203 mm RT-CL800 rotors front and rear. The equal-size setup gives the rear brake useful heat capacity when controlling the extra speed and mass of a full-power e-MTB.

Brake verdict: a balanced 203/203 mm XT package with the power and thermal capacity expected on a modern Avinox e-enduro bike.

View the current Megamo Reason specification

15. Forbidden Druid LitE 2

The Forbidden Druid LitE 2 brings the brand's high-pivot suspension layout to a lightweight e-MTB platform. It combines 140 mm of rear travel with a 150 mm fork, mixed wheels and the compact Avinox M1 drive system with a 600 Wh battery.

The reference build uses SRAM Maven Silver four-piston brakes with 200 mm Centerline rotors front and rear. Maven's high power suits a bike designed to carry speed through rough terrain, while twin 200 mm discs provide consistent leverage at both ends.

Brake verdict: a powerful 200/200 mm Maven setup that complements the Druid LitE's capable suspension and e-MTB pace.

View the current Forbidden Druid LitE specification

16. Norco Sight VLT TQ C3 (2026)

The 2026 Norco Sight VLT TQ C3 is a mid-power carbon e-MTB with 150 mm of rear travel and a 160 mm fork. Its TQ HPR60 motor and 580 Wh battery provide subtle assistance in a package designed to retain the handling character of a conventional all-mountain bike.

Norco equips the C3 with TRP Slate EVO four-piston brakes, a 203 mm by 2.3 mm rotor at the front and a 180 mm by 2.3 mm RS01E rotor at the rear. The thicker rotors add thermal mass and stiffness for repeatable braking.

Brake verdict: a sensible 203/180 mm TRP package for a lighter-assist e-MTB, combining strong front power with a more easily modulated rear.

View the current Norco Sight VLT TQ specification

17. Norco Range VLT CX C2 (2026)

The 2026 Norco Range VLT CX C2 is the full-power e-enduro option, pairing 160 mm of high-pivot rear travel with a 170 mm RockShox ZEB fork and mixed wheels. A Bosch Performance Line CX drive unit and 800 Wh battery are intended for repeated steep climbs and demanding descents.

Its TRP Slate EVO four-piston brakes use a 203 mm by 2.3 mm front rotor and a 180 mm by 2.3 mm RS01E rear rotor. Norco's specification prioritises front-wheel stopping leverage while retaining rear-wheel control.

Brake verdict: a robust, thick-rotor TRP system matched to full-power e-enduro use, although heavier riders on exceptionally long descents may prefer to investigate approved rear-rotor options.

View the current Norco Range VLT CX specification

18. Norco Sight C1 160 MX (2026)

The non-assisted 2026 Norco Sight C1 160 MX is a carbon all-mountain and enduro bike with 160 mm of high-pivot rear travel, a 170 mm FOX 38 fork and mixed 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear wheels. Its 63.5-degree head angle and gravity-focused build target fast technical riding and enduro racing.

Norco specifies SRAM Maven Silver four-piston brakes with a 200 mm HS2 rotor at the front and a 180 mm HS2 rotor at the rear. The large front disc handles most of the braking load, while the smaller rear helps preserve modulation.

Brake verdict: a high-power Maven system with a classic 200/180 mm enduro rotor split, well suited to a capable non-electric gravity bike.

View the current Norco Sight 160 specification

What four-piston brakes mean

A four-piston caliper uses two pistons on each side of the rotor. Compared with a typical two-piston brake, it can support a larger pad area and spread pressure more effectively. The result is usually greater power, better heat management and less effort at the lever.

Four pistons do not automatically make a brake better for every rider. Lever ergonomics, hydraulic leverage, pad compound, rotor diameter and rotor thickness all affect the final result. A well-set-up two-piston brake can still be ideal for cross-country riding, while aggressive trail, enduro and e-MTB use increasingly favours four-piston systems.

180 mm versus 200 or 203 mm rotors

Increasing rotor diameter increases braking leverage. A larger rotor can generate more stopping torque for the same lever effort and has more material available to absorb heat.

• 180 mm: lighter, easy to modulate and commonly used at the rear of trail bikes.
• 200 or 203 mm: more powerful with better heat capacity; increasingly standard at the front of modern trail bikes.
• Front and rear 200 mm: common on enduro, downhill and heavier e-MTB builds.

Before fitting a larger rotor, check the maximum size supported by the fork and frame, the required adapter, the rotor's thickness and the brake manufacturer's compatibility guidance.

Brake pad compound matters

The caliper and rotor receive most of the attention, but the pad compound determines much of the feel, noise and durability experienced on the trail.

• Resin or organic pads generally provide a quiet ride and an immediate initial bite. They can be a strong option for general trail riding and dry conditions.
• Sintered pads are designed for durability, wet-weather use and sustained high temperatures. They suit demanding terrain, heavier riders and long descents.
• Semi-metallic and performance compounds aim to balance bite, modulation, noise and durability.

Gorilla Brakes supplies mountain-bike disc brake pads for a wide range of SRAM, Shimano and other braking systems. Browse the mountain bike brake pad collection, or contact us if you are unsure which shape fits your caliper.

The 2027 takeaway

Four-piston brakes and 200 mm-class front rotors are no longer reserved for downhill bikes. They are becoming the normal baseline for capable trail bikes. The eighteen bikes above show how manufacturers are combining large front rotors, powerful calipers and carefully chosen rear rotor sizes to deliver better control without unnecessary weight.

When replacing pads, do not rely on the bike model alone. A single mountain bike can be sold with different brakes depending on build level, year and market. Check the name printed on the caliper and compare the existing pad shape before ordering.

Need help identifying your pads? Call Gorilla Brakes on 01524 964740 or explore our mountain bike brake pads.