SRAM BRAKE MAVEN BASE STEALTH DFBLK – NO DISC A1

Modern mountain bikes have redefined what riders are capable of, pushing the requirements for extreme-duty power further than ever before. Maven is our answer to that evolution, giving you the boundless power of confidence for elevated speed and control on ever-more demanding terrain. Maven Base’s lever body houses Directlink, which translates rider input for a smooth application of power. And because of a stiff 4-bolt caliper that sheds an incredible amount of heat, that feel remains consistent, so the last corner feels like the first corner. And with so much baseline power on hand, there is more range than ever before to tune the ride qualities to exactly how you want with different pad materials, and rotor sizes. Maven Base features a Blast Black anodized finish, and for ease of customization includes tool-free Reach Adjust.

• Four 18mm pistons for extreme-duty power.
• Stiff 4-piston caliper with best heat management and easier bolt access.
• Organic pads come standard for the best modulation and the quietest ride.
• Stealth lever architecture for a sleeker, more modern ride.
• Tool-free lever reach adjust.
• Mineral Oil for low maintenance and performance.
• Designed for use with Maxima Mineral Brake Oil only.
• Blasted Black anodized finish.
• Caliper features Bleeding Edge bleed port for drip-free maintenance.

GENERAL

Why should I buy Maven brakes?
Bikes and riders have evolved, and brakes have had to adapt to the new demands. Maven brakes are designed for extreme use – ideal for gravity, e-MTB, enduro and any other rider who needs more stopping power. With so much stopping power, you can match your brakes to your application by combining pads and rotor sizes – ultimately giving you a better braking experience.

What makes Maven brakes so suitable for use in extreme conditions?
Braking power with control. We’re entering a new performance class, and Maven delivers the highest stopping power while providing the proven SRAM braking feel. With unprecedented braking power, the ride characteristics can be adjusted up or down depending on the rider’s requirements. And thanks to their exceptional thermal management, Maven brakes are even more consistent, which combined with more braking power means less rider fatigue on long rides.

How much more power do Maven brakes have compared to Code brakes?
The maximum braking force of the Maven brakes is approx. 50% higher than that of the code brakes. This is partly due to the larger caliper pistons and partly due to an optimized ratio between the lever piston and the huge caliper pistons.

Does the higher performance of my Maven brakes lead to more wear on the brake discs/pads?
The service life of pads and brake rotors is about the same or slightly longer with Maven brakes than with Code brakes.

Do the Maven (XL) pads have a specific compound?
The XL brake pads from Maven are available in organic and sintered versions. The pad compounds are exactly the same as for the L brake pads from Code, the difference lies in the shape and size of the XL brake pads.

Why does the Maven brake caliper have four bolts instead of two?
The four bolts on the Maven brake caliper housing are not just there for decoration. They provide a stiffer caliper, which reduces the loss of braking force through flex, which is noticeable through a more direct response at the lever.

Why are the Maven brake pads inserted from below?
The Maven caliper has four bolts that hold the two halves together, resulting in a much stiffer caliper with a more direct lever feel. The four bolts are located directly above the brake pads, so the pads have to be inserted from below.

What size are the pistons in the Maven caliper?
Maven has 18 and 19.5 mm caliper pistons.

Does Maven retain the same SRAM lever feel?
Yes, Maven delivers a leverage effect that changes over the entire lever travel. The further you pull the lever, the more force Maven sends to the pistons. We call this progressive braking force and it can be found on all SRAM Swinglink brakes.

Does Maven use Swinglink?
Yes, it uses a swinglink shape that has been optimized for the Maven and converts raw power into progressive power transmission while maintaining SRAM’s signature feel.

Do the Maven brakes have stealth levers?
Yes, Maven features a new stealth architecture that is optimized for a clean cockpit while working well with today’s frame routing options.

Why doesn’t the Maven have a carbon brake lever?
The forged lever on the Maven brakes is the stiffest lever we offer and provides riders with the best perceptible feedback. The Maven brakes are not compatible with the levers of other SRAM brakes.

The Code Ultimate carbon levers look very similar. Are they compatible with my Maven brakes?
No – there is no lever compatibility between Code and Maven. If a Code brake lever is installed on a Maven brake, this can lead to a system failure. This is a safety risk, which is why we do not allow the use of code levers on Maven brakes. If a system failure occurs, the high pressure system will be disconnected from the reservoir. This would result in the brake not being able to handle any fluid expansion of the system that may occur.

Does the Maven brake use mineral oil or DOT fluid?
The Maven brake is a mineral oil brake. In order for Maven to meet our requirements as a mineral oil brake, we have tested many different seal materials to find the most heat resistant blend. This sealing material is matched to our jointly developed Maxima mineral oil brake oil and retains its elastomeric properties, ensuring an airtight seal even in extreme braking heat or low outside temperatures. In other words, the material is able to regain its original shape when the pressure is released. In tests, mineral oil was found to provide the best performance (better than the DOT versions) while requiring less maintenance.

I thought DOT fluid was better?
Every brake option we offer is designed to use the brake fluid and seals that provide maximum braking performance. In the case of Maven, this option turned out to be mineral oil.

Where can I find the serial number on my Maven brakes?
The serial number of your Maven brake is located on the underside of your caliper directly between the two bolt bosses.

Why doesn’t Maven have cooling fins?
Maven calipers are designed to get hot. Due to their greater thermal mass, Maven calipers take longer to heat up, keeping excess heat at bay while still maintaining optimal heat so they don’t cool down too quickly. When the caliper avoids the peaks and troughs of heat and cold, performance consistency reaches a whole new level.

SET-UP AND MAINTENANCE

Does Maven require any specific mounting hardware?
Maven requires the use of the new 20P-1 or 20P-2 mounts if a 20mm adapter is required to change to a larger brake rotor. It is not compatible with the old Post Mount 20P bracket. Otherwise, it is compatible with all existing SRAM brake components. If you need a 20 mm adapter, use 20P-1 for 180 mm rotors and 20P-2 for 200 or 220 mm rotors.

Do I have to replace my brake rotor if I use a different pad material?
We advise you to use new brake discs if you are using a new pad compound. With all brake pads, a thin layer of the pad is applied to the brake disc during the brake application and use. Applying a new pad compound to a brake rotor can cause noise and reduce braking performance.

Will my Maven brakes work on any frame?
Maven complies with all existing SRAM brake specifications for frames.

How do I brake my Maven brakes correctly?
Please refer to the SRAM MTB brake “Brake In” guide.

Do Maven brakes have a pressure point adjustment and a reach adjustment?
The Maven Ultimate, Silver and Bronze all have a tool-less reach adjustment, while the Maven Ultimate and Silver also have a pressure point adjustment.

Is my Maven compatible with existing SRAM brake components and cables?
Yes, Maven is compatible with Stealth-a-Majig hose fittings, olives, SRAM hydraulic brake lines and SRAM DOT Grease.

Which brake line kit does Maven use?
Maven Ultimate and Maven Silver use the Silver Banjo Disc brake line kit – part number 00.5318.038.000. Maven Bronze uses the SRAM Disc brake line kit with double compression – part number 00.5318.036.000.

Which SRAM brake pads does Maven use?
It uses a new Maven-specific brake pad shape that we call XL. They are available in sintered or organic compound.

How do I bleed my Maven mineral oil brakes?
You can find detailed step-by-step instructions in the Maven manual or in the video Bleeding SRAM MTB mineral oil brakes.

How often should my Maven brakes be bled?
We recommend bleeding the mineral oil brakes completely and replacing the brake fluid every 2 years. The main reason for this longer interval compared to our DOT brakes is that mineral oil does not absorb moisture.

Is the bleeding procedure for Maven the same as for the other SRAM disc brakes?
No, with the introduction of the new Maven hydraulic disc brakes, SRAM has updated the bleeding procedure for MTB mineral oil brakes to ensure that everyone gets the maximum braking performance from their SRAM brakes. The bleeding process now includes the additional step of a piston massage after bleeding is complete and before installing the wheel. This necessary step causes the caliper pistons to move and reduces the initial friction between the pistons and the seals, resulting in a smaller gap between the pads and consistent piston actuation. The complete procedure can be found in the user manual for mineral oil disc brakes.

What do I do if DOT fluid was accidentally used when bleeding my brake?
In this case, the brake must be replaced. If the DOT brake fluid is contaminated, the seals in the mineral oil system will be damaged and the brakes can no longer be used safely. The same applies to mineral oil brake fluid that has been accidentally used in a DOT brake.

Are SRAM Maven mineral oil brakes compatible with mineral oils from other brake manufacturers?
No, we have not tested all other mineral oils and therefore cannot guarantee performance or safety. Damage caused by using brake fluids other than Maxima Mineral Brake Fluid is not covered under warranty.

What is the right brake fluid for my SRAM Maven mineral oil brakes?
Like all SRAM mineral oil brakes, Maven brakes require Maxima mineral brake fluid, which was developed together with SRAM. You can find it under part number 00.5318.030.000 – 4oz/120ml or 00.5318.030.001 – 16.9oz/500ml.

Do the Maven calipers have bleeding edge fittings?
Yes, they have a mineral oil specific bleeding edge connection. The 5mm port is unique to Maven and only fits the SRAM mineral oil bleed kit. This ensures that incompatible SRAM DOT bleeding kits cannot be used. All aftermarket brakes come with a Bleeding Edge syringe tip, which can be used to retrofit existing SRAM mineral oil bleed kits that were not originally equipped with the Bleeding Edge tip.

Why are my Maven calipers leaking fluid where the two halves connect? Is that brake fluid?
It’s not brake fluid, it’s assembly grease. With new brakes it is normal for a small amount of assembly grease to leak out between the two halves on the top. Simply wipe it off and you’re done.

TUNING

Are Maven brakes more tunable than other SRAM brakes?
They are not more tunable than other SRAM brakes, but the introduction of the Maven for use in extreme conditions rounds off the SRAM brake collection for the requirements of the modern mountain bike. This allows Code and DB8 to focus on the heavy loads, while Level can be tailored to the lighter loads. Choosing the right brakes for your riding style is the first step in tuning, as it creates the right starting point from which to tune. Once the base is established, the size and type of brake rotor and choice of pad compound can be used to optimize braking power and feel.

How do I tune my Maven brakes?
Maven can be tuned by the size and type of brake rotor and the choice of pad compound. We recommend starting with the smallest rotor suitable for your frame and suspension fork and tuning from there.

How does the size of the brake rotor affect the braking power of my Maven?
Every 20 mm increase in rotor size increases the mechanical braking force by 14%. So if you change from a 180 mm brake disk to a 220 mm brake disk, the system performance increases by 28%. However, a brake disk that is too large can also mean that not enough heat is generated. A smaller rotor that generates the right temperature can actually have more power on the trail. If you pay attention to the color of the spokes of your brake rotors (under the brake pad area), this can be an indication of the performance of your brake rotors. – Brownish or bronze discoloration means that the size is optimal. – Purple or rainbow discoloration means your rotors are running too hot and you should adjust the size. – No clear discoloration means they are not getting hot enough and downsizing would result in optimal performance.

Should I choose organic or sintered brake pads for my Maven brakes?
The choice of brake pad material can greatly affect the handling characteristics of your brakes. The choice can also depend on the conditions in which you intend to ride. Organic brake pads are ideal if you want a quick response and less noise. They offer the best performance in dry conditions. Sintered brake pads are ideal if you need high heat resistance. They also offer better performance in wet or muddy conditions.

What is the difference between HS2 and CenterLine brake rotors?
HS2 brake rotors offer 7% more braking power than CenterLine brake rotors of the same size. They have better heat management due to the heat dissipating coating of the brake discs and an overall thickness of 2.0 mm.