Gustav vs. Brembo vs. Maven: The 2026 Heavyweight Brake Shootout

Magura Gustav Pro

The Gustav Pro is arguably the most specialised brake here.

Everything about the system is engineered around thermal management. The massive 2.5mm rotor standard dramatically increases heat capacity while the oversized 19mm pistons reduce the hydraulic pressure required to generate huge stopping force.

This is the brake for riders pushing high powered e bike systems down long mountain descents where rotor temperatures can overwhelm traditional setups.

If you ride an ultra high torque e bike, a heavy park bike, or regularly tackle sustained alpine descents, the Gustav Pro makes a huge amount of sense.

Shop Magura Gustav Pro Brake Pads →

Brembo GR-PRO

The Brembo GR-PRO takes a very different approach.

Rather than focusing purely on heat capacity, Brembo prioritises stiffness, lever precision, and race level consistency. The caliper construction gives the system an incredibly direct and stable feel under heavy braking loads.

There is clear MotoGP influence throughout the design philosophy.

This is the brake for riders who want maximum bite, ultra direct lever feel, and gravity race performance above everything else.

Gorilla Brakes now lists Enduro Pro Ultimate and Enduro Pro Semi-Metallic replacement pads specifically for Brembo GR-PRO. Check the product pages for current preorder terms and dispatch timing before ordering.

SRAM Maven B1

The original Maven A1 uses a red SwingLink tuned for a firm initial lever feel and early power delivery. SRAM describes the gold SwingLink on Maven B1 Ultimate, Silver and Bronze as having lighter initial engagement and a more linear delivery through the stroke. Which feel suits you is a rider preference; see SRAM’s A1, B1 and Base lever guide.

Maven Base uses DirectLink, so it should not be described as a SwingLink equipped model. Pad choice, rotor size and setup also affect how any Maven feels on the trail.

Maven uses SRAM’s Extra Large / XL pad family, covering A1 and B1 Ultimate, Silver and Bronze, plus Maven Base. This is a different shape from the Large pads used by Code and Motive. Confirm your exact brake and the removed pad against SRAM’s pad identification chart, then choose a Maven compatible product and compound.

For many riders, this is probably the most versatile heavyweight brake currently available.

It offers enough power for full power e bikes while still remaining manageable for technical enduro riding.

Shop SRAM Maven Brake Pads →

For compound selection, read our SRAM Maven brake pad buyer’s guide. If you are investigating rapid wear, rubbing or an inconsistent bite point, start with our Maven troubleshooting guide.

HINE R Prototype System

While still in development, the HINE R project approaches braking from a workshop first perspective.

Instead of simply chasing maximum power numbers, the focus has been on predictable lever feel, strong piston retraction, simplified bleeding, and long term serviceability.

Real world gravity testing has already covered hundreds of miles of abuse using prototype calipers and oversized hydraulic layouts.

The goal is simple:

Create a heavyweight brake system that delivers powerful, progressive braking without becoming difficult to maintain or inconsistent under real riding conditions.

The current HINE R prototype platform is being tested using Shimano Saint style pad architecture during development.

Shop HINE R Test Platform Brake Pads →

The Gorilla Brakes Verdict

Heavyweight braking is no longer a niche category.

As e bike motors continue climbing beyond 100Nm and rider speeds increase year after year, brake systems are rapidly evolving into a completely new class of component.

Heat management, rotor thickness, hydraulic stability, and pad volume are becoming just as important as outright stopping power.

The days of thin rotors and lightweight trail brake philosophy dominating the market are quickly disappearing for gravity and full power e bike riders.

Instead, the next generation of MTB braking is being defined by:

• Thicker rotors
• Larger pad volumes
• Higher thermal capacity
• Improved hydraulic stability
• More progressive power delivery
• Greater consistency under sustained load

For 2026, one thing is clear:

The future of MTB braking is bigger, thicker, and engineered for far more heat than ever before.