The legendary Shimano XT 4-Pistion Caliper brakes just keep getting better. With a quicker piston retraction, four piston power and superior modulation you've got superb braking power for taking on any trail.
- Quicker Piston retraction
- Reduces disc brake rotor wobbling noise and increases braking power by 10% (vs. M8000)
- Four Piston
- Banjo type connection and inside hose routing
It now features reduced disc brake rotor wobbling noise and increases braking power by 10% compared to the M8000. It’s got four piston braking power which makes them ideal for trail, enduro and all mountain riding. As ever with Shimano you can be assured of a high-quality design and construction which is why they are one of the industry’s leading brands. Please note that the Rotor and Adaptor are not included.
PLEASE NOTE: Image is for illustration purposes only.
As reviewed by Singletracks:
Shimano XT brakes need no introduction. For many riders, loyalty to the brand’s mountain bike stoppers runs deep. While bikes may come and go, fans stick to XT brakes for the power, consistent performance, and quick bite. The latest 4-piston XT brake set, officially designated BR-M8120, boasts a few notable tweaks and improvements as I’ve discovered over the past several months of testing.
Shimano XT 8100-series brakes are available in 2- and 4-piston versions (I tested the latter), and feature a painted aluminum body and ceramic pistons. My test set shipped with finned, metallic pads and all XT brakes utilize mineral oil in the hydraulic system.
Shimano says the current crop of XT brakes offers 10% more power than the last one, and they are quieter to boot. The brand also claims the latest design results in quicker piston retraction when it’s time to let go of the levers.
Shimano recommends pairing the XT brakes with 800-series rotors, so I locked on a set 180mm Ice Tech Freezas. As a part of the XT component series, these brakes are designed with trail riding in mind. Out of the box the brakes are designed to fit 160mm rotors, though they are compatible with any diameter from 140mm to 203mm with the right adapter.
Aligning the calipers took very little effort: just spin the wheel, grab the brake lever, and wrench the bolts in place. After the initial set up, I haven’t had to make any alignment tweaks.
Listen to any group of mountain bikers debating brake choices, and aside from talking about power, much of the discussion will revolve around modulation. Some riders prefer a more on/off feel, while others like to have a progressive range to feather along the trail. To be clear, it’s not that one is better than the other; like many things, modulation comes down to personal preference and riding style. Along the brake action spectrum, most riders tend to place Shimano brakes on the on/off side of center, and that seems to be a fair assessment.
That’s all a long wind up to say that these latest Shimano brakes appear to have shifted closer toward the center of the modulation spectrum. Compared to previous models of XT brakes, these feel more nuanced and yet as powerful as ever. Sure, you can still lock up the back wheel with a quick tug of the lever, or flip yourself over the bars with a short pull on the front brake, if that’s what you want. You can just as easily scrub the right amount of speed to land that double smoothly or to roll into that berm without wasting a second of time. For those used to the old XT brakes, these may require a slight adjustment period, though in the end, it should be worthwhile thanks to increased overall stopping power.
Shimano’s other claim, that the updated XT brakes offer quicker piston retraction, is a hard one to test. I suspect the updated and more progressive braking action is due in part to the ability for the caliper to glide more freely along its path, rather than sticking or stuttering along the way. Quicker retraction hints at a more fluid system with less resistance, which should also bode well for durability and lower maintenance over time.
Testing these brakes on long descents I found less noticeable fade than with others. Shimano’s design places a premium on heat dissipation, and the upshot is consistent braking from the top of the mountain to the bottom, and (hopefully) fewer bleeds over time.
The latest Shimano XT brakes should satisfy most trail riders, though diehard fans of the line might need a little coaxing to appreciate the updates. With dependable performance plus easy set-up and maintenance, XT brakes are still the ones to beat.