The XTR name has always been synonymous with top quality mountain bike componentry and for 2011, Shimano’s newest XTR offerings certainly continue that tradition. Both versions of the group – XTR Race and XTR Trail – boast numerous advancements in drivetrain performance and weight-savings, but nothing blew our minds here at Cyclepath quite like the brakes.
Just like you can get XTR Cranksets in two versions, Race 2×10 and Trail 3×10, the 2011 XTR brakes are available to match. And while the XTR Trail Brakes are visually similar to the XTR Race Brakes, a closer look reveals a few differences that make the Trail Brakes more suitable for extreme use (AKA Trail-Riding).
The lever blade itself is one mm wider, at 14mm, to give you a bit more surface area than the race blade, and it’s dimpled for extra grip and comfort. Your fingers will appreciate the stouter blades during long descents. The XTR Trail Brakes also allow you to adjust the free stroke of the lever blade where the XTR Race levers do not. This function lets you determine how far you like the blade to travel before your pads make contact with the rotor; in other words, brake modulation is customizable on the XTR Trail Brake.
The calipers are the same for both the XTR Race and Trail Brakes – they both use a 22mm ceramic piston for incredible stopping power. But Shimano’s new XTR Trail pads feature cooling fins to help reduce heat build-up. An additional option available for the Trail Brake is Shimano’s new Ice Tech Rotor – a innovative brake rotor that features an aluminium core clad with stainless steel braking surfaces. This new design sheds weight, effectively dissipates heat and dramatically improves overall performance.
So do we love the XTR Brakes? Yes, yes indeed…Whether you’re looking for the lightweight power or all the bells and whistles, Shimano XTR Brakes bring it!