Magura's Thor 150 AM/Trail Fork and the Affordable MT2 Brake - Interbike 2011

Sep 22, 2011 at 23:19

Magura took its Thor trail fork and made it better with improved mid-stroke compression damping to keep the bike level under braking with a new lubrication strategy and full-circumference slider bushings. The short-travel Durin line is expanded to include a range travel and axle choices, presumably to capitalize on Magura's strong showing with that fork in World Cup races. On the subject of affordability, Magura launched the MT2 disc brake, which shares many of the carbon composite features of the top-of-the-line $368 USD MT8 full-carbon system, but at only $104 USD per side.

Thor 150 Lift Select Fork:Not the first name that comes to mind in the crowded 150-millimeter, single-crown fork field, but Magura should be. The Thor 150 deserves the attention of any hard-charging trail rider. Its dual-arch slider is stiff enough to take on the single-arch, through-axle competition, and now with the addition of a 15-millimeter Maxle Lite, through-axle system, Thor could earn best-in-class stiffness among all 32-millimeter-stanchion forks. Thor 150 Lift Select is travel-adjustable in two steps to 120-millimeters, and the crown-mounted dial can be operated by hand, or be rigged remotely via a handlebar mounted cable control. The fork crown has the cable stop built in. Albert Select 2 compression damping has better mid-range performance and can be locked out should the rider prefer such a feature. Thor 150 Lift Select sells for $939 USD and weighs a reported 1825 grams. The fixed-travel Thor 150 Fix weighs 1675 grams and sells for $899 USD.

Thor 150 Lift Select details: (from top) The blue and gold Albert Select dials control compression and lockout, while the black Lift Select dial switches travel from 150mm to 120mm • Magura calls it DAD for dual-arch design, but all you have to know is that it delivers a super rigid feel in torsion • Magura chose the Maxle Lite 15mm through-axle system for the Thor and post-type brake caliper mounts which fit seven-inch rotors.

Durin XC Fork Range

Magura's Durin cross-country/trail range has been expanded to five models with travel options from 80 millimeters to 120 millimeters - including a Durin Race with Lift Select, travel-adjust from 90 to 120 millimeters. The lightest of the five is the Durin SL, at 1299 grams in the quick release, 9mm axle option. Weights and prices are as follows: Durin SL 1299g/$849 - 1650g • Durin Race - 1380g/$839 • Durin Race 120 Fix - 1520g/$879 • Durin Race LIft Select 120 - 1650g/$899 • Durin X - 1690g/$699.

MT2 Affordable Disc Brake

Based upon its fiber-reinforced molded 'Carbotecture' master cylinder/lever body, Magura's MT2 disc brake system hits a low 343-grams-per-wheel weight with an unheard of price of 104 dollars US. The lever blade and handebar clamp are aluminum. The MT2 caliper is a two-piece design instead of a one-piece forging, and it carries forward the top-loading brake pad feature and banjo-swivel hose fitting of its pro-level brothers. Weight is pegged at 345 grams per side.

Find more surprises in disc brakes and suspension products at Magura headquarters, and then report back to Pinkbike about the potential of this quality German manufacturer.

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57 Comments

Score Time

freddiehg (Sep 23, 2011 at 12:08)

MT2's look great! However, they go with a 15 mill axle instead of a 20mill, yet then go for extra rigitidy with a second arch? Why not get the same rigidity with just a 20 mill?

WAKIdesigns (Sep 23, 2011 at 12:15)

They always had two arches as their trademark, not because of axle choice.

+ 27

suicidedownhiller (Sep 23, 2011 at 12:28)

I want 15mm to die. Magura getting behind it is not good...I'll keep my marzocchi with 20mm axle, thanks

BaeckerX1 (Sep 23, 2011 at 12:41)

One of the added bonuses to that dual arch design would be never having to clean mud/dirt out of those little crevices on the back of a single arch fork. Razz

WAKIdesigns (Sep 23, 2011 at 12:50)

Marzocchi already lined up their arse for 15mm hype as well. It's just hats off for RS for still offering Revelation in both 15 and 20mm options. I'm not ashamed of hating on 15mm standard. However I know it is here to stay, and I am affraid that an even newer "standard" is just a matter of time, if not on the way. I wouldn't be surprised if they released a new hub spacing, like 100mm instead of 110mm. Most hubs have like 7mm left on both sides between the cone end and brake rotor. Why not make make axle mounts in forks like a 1cm closer to each other and say it is obvious that shorter axle with no change to hub flange spacing, means more stiffness...

suicidedownhiller (Sep 23, 2011 at 13:03)

Exactly, I agree Waki. I know Marzo is lined up for 15, but something tells me they'll never drop the 20mm...at least not for a while. New standards are surely going to pop up, and most of the time I don't have a problem with them when they're better and will make riding more fun, or make me faster. But there's no advantages to running a 15mm axle...

rigodon777 (Sep 23, 2011 at 13:46)

And If you have ever held a magura lower and a fox let's say side by side and tried to flex them, you would have felt how STIFFER the maguras are! It's not only there for looks, there is advantage to that!

lostinsolitarythought (Sep 23, 2011 at 16:30)

The 15mm is here to replace the 9mm qr and not the 20mm. Why is this so hard for people to understand? The 20mm isn't going anywhere and is needed for free ride, downhill and dirt jumping.

suicidedownhiller (Sep 23, 2011 at 17:36)

Because these forks in the 150-180mm category used to come as QR or 20mm, and now it's qr or 15, which is really annoying.

lostinsolitarythought (Sep 23, 2011 at 18:28)

The 150mm travel fork is relatively new and is intended for long travel trail/light AM. 20mm comes on and still is used on 160mm to 200mm through axles.

brandonf (Sep 23, 2011 at 19:27)

Lol at how naive all you 15mm haters are. Like lostinsolitarythought said, its a replacement for the 9mm and if thats not a good change, I don't know what is.

eightintherear (Sep 24, 2011 at 6:19)

You cannot set compare a forks ridgity by flexing the fork legs. If anyone has ever ridden a Dorado you know that they feel flimsy if your just sitting there trying to flex em, but as soon as your on your bike rolling its as stiff as any other conventional dual crown. Its physics.

brit-100 (Sep 24, 2011 at 8:48)

QR15 means a lighter bearing and hub compared to 20mm. I would have prefered a 20mm on my trail bike, but most of the wheels I wanted were only available in 15mm, so that's what I went for.

But you know what really grinds my gears? How many 2012 complete bikes are coming with tapered steer tubes and headtubes, and QR axles! What the f**k is that about?!?

MTBurned (Sep 24, 2011 at 11:54)

Just make 20mm front and 12mm rear the only standard. We can only have better bikes if we do that!

ninjatarian (Sep 25, 2011 at 16:59)

@lostinsolitarythought- The 15mm was SUPPOSED to just replace 9mm, but not anymore. It is slowly replacing 20mm axles. Magura and Manitou have already switched forks from 20mm to 15mm. Fox also uses 15mm on their DJ category fork. Its just a matter of time before you see 15mm on even longer forks, perhaps even dual crowns. With RS using super light coatings to shave grams, you don't think the thought of slapping 15mm on the Boxxer has crossed their minds?

suicidedownhiller (Sep 25, 2011 at 17:42)

^Exactly. If it was meant to replace 9mm, why is still offered in the line up, yet 20mm isn't?

WAKIdesigns (Sep 26, 2011 at 3:35)

A differences in weight between XTR or Hope coming in 15/20mm is like 10g. Difference between 9mm XTR and 20mm XTR hub is 60g. 99,9% of produced bikes on the planet have forks accepting 9mm axles - Now how can 15mm replace 9mm?

Replacing 20 with 15s is just a hype, manufacturing demand sht, too little performance win comparing to potential profits. We all know that as soon as 15mm settles there will be a new "standard"... 15mm doesn't change anything to anyone comparing to 20mm. It is totaly unnecessary, even if there was any gain, not one of people consciously choosing between 15 and 20 could take any advantage of it.

ninjatarian (Sep 26, 2011 at 10:23)

Waki, 15qr was supposed to replace 9mm believe it or not, "15QR is a collaborative effort between fork and hub/wheel manufacturers to improve the security and performance of the front wheel by replacing the 9mm quick release with a 15mm thru-type axle."
http://chrisking.com/hubs/hbs_15mm

However it has begun replacing 20mm instead. Fail.

WAKIdesigns (Sep 26, 2011 at 11:26)

Ninjatarian what they say has nothing to do with what they do and what is reality. There is no way that expensive thru axles will ever replace 9mm standard present on all cheaper forks found on cheaper entry level bikes. I don't mean wallmart, I mean RS Recon, deore hubs, this kind of level. It is only the luxury segment where such ridiculousness takes place.

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georgy291 (Sep 23, 2011 at 15:03)

for the price of 900usd id rather stick to fox 36s. As they are well known and trusted. Also they are guaranteed to be rock solid. and regarding paying 200usd to save carrying round 100grams.. i can make a big fart and loose more weight than that.

seraph (Sep 23, 2011 at 16:27)

Body weight =/= bike weight.

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krazyjey (Sep 23, 2011 at 12:48)

been riding magura for years , a wotan for freeriding , , ,gustave for dh and louise for everytning else , ... follow me ! , ...the best thing in MTB , sorry hater, that does work, ohh my brakes , ...Magura again, !! if they stop bmw and porsche, they ll do for my canadian bike , ! after that , Saint will provide, but i ll trust my Magura for sure, any weather and ride, no problems ! SIMPLE no hassle, welcome to the real mounatin world
Krazyjey .

bnegative (Sep 23, 2011 at 13:51)

True. I've ridden Wotan for 2 years and just recently I managed to use its full potential. Great piece of German engineering.

hustler Plus (Sep 23, 2011 at 22:34)

No wonder they call you Krazey, Krazeyjey ... that was completely unintelligible.

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egorka (Sep 24, 2011 at 2:48)

bigburd
it's not about credit card. I think, good brakes (especially) can't really be affordable.
If it would be that affordable brakes are as good as trustable brakes - then there wouldn't be price difference.
but somehow there is.

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catmackinnon (Sep 24, 2011 at 0:59)

"...fiber-reinforced molded 'Carbotecture'" is just a fancy way of saying "plastic". not that there's anything wrong with nylon-reinforced plastic, but i hate when companies try to make it sound fancier than it really is...it makes me think they don't fully have faith in it, so they've had to come up with technical-sounding marketing jargon to make it an easier sell.

anyway, the MT2's look interesting, but considering that Magura Louise BAT brakes are easily found for just $15 more, i'd rather go with those. i'd wait on the MT2's until there are actual real-world reviews on them. they could either be an innovative way to get hydro disc brakes at affordable prices, or they could be a disaster.

as far as Magura forks...meh. i've never personally used one, but i've never heard super-great things about them. i'm sure they work fine for some people, but i've never been impressed enough to consider them. even the Topeak-Ergon team, who runs almost entirely German parts, switched from Magura to RockShox forks this year.

grinsekater (Sep 26, 2011 at 11:52)

"Carbon" is also a fancy way to say "plastic" Wink

. I think such custom developments for specific usage like the whole industrie makes it is a good thing. Even in highend cars you will find a similar material. Super light and extremely strong.

The change within the Topeak-Ergon Team was a money thing. I heard some pretty unhappy racer voices regarding the change of their forks. But if you have to finance a whole wc-season for a team with all the travelling you are happy for every penny. And SRAM has plenty of that.

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Chris-GER (Sep 24, 2011 at 0:05)

I am riding the Thor 2012 already for a few months now. I have to say it's one supersolid fork, rigid and bombproof. Riding it on my commencal Meta 5.5 Vip. But I used to get a little customising, I have a 20mm axle as I think 15mm is just bullshit. And the lubing was changed to a silicone bath. Steerer is a 1 1/8". But I guess their production level forks will definately beat a lot of rivals!! Just loving it! Smile

And it survived 1 Week of battling it down in Leogang, Austria Razz

[Reply]

cesalec (Sep 24, 2011 at 11:09)

What about the durability and serviceability of the Magura forks in america? I really like this new adjustable Thor.... but if servicing rock shox and fox in Mexico is a pain in the ... not even mentioning the non existant support for Marz, I would be hesitant of getting a Thor =(

El-Warpo (Sep 24, 2011 at 13:15)

Magura has an official Service Center/Distributor in Guadalajara. Besides, servicing Magura forks is a breeze. I haven't worked on one (but I had on many RS, Manitou, older Maguras, Zoke, Fox). They're dead simple to service. Magura brakes are solid. I have a friend still using a set of cheapo Julies from 2002... I gave him my brakes when I upgraded to Louises and had got the Julies second hand.

If that's not enough, Magura USA had always been super helpful. Customer Service is at the top of their list.

Magura also keeps spares for old brakes/forks on hand for many years. Should I mention that Magura prices from the Mexican Dealer are very competitive on their brakes. Their forks are on the high side, though.

cesalec (Oct 5, 2011 at 14:46)

good to know warp, besides is german engineering, so I suppose they are reliable...

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andyf7 (Sep 23, 2011 at 23:14)

Magura brakes - love them!! such a nice feel so pretty excited for the new incarnation of them. shame i can't say the same of the forks. ive tried and tested a couple of models of the thor fork and found them to be temperamental at best. wet weather and they become very unpredictable, and the travel adjust doesnt hold, meaning they get longer as you ride! also i have found them to be "sticky" in their initial travel, and all these problems occur in a well maintained set of forks. have very little time for magura forks im afraid!

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catmackinnon (Sep 24, 2011 at 0:59)

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ljack (Sep 23, 2011 at 13:45)

Can't wait to test this baby! :-)
Converted my old 2009 Thor to the new Meistergrease and bushings this summer and it works better than new (which was already darn good).
Would really like to know what all the other improvements do to the Thor. :-)

[Reply]

beeper (Sep 23, 2011 at 19:13)

I've been riding Magura Louise with 203mm rotors on my enduro for 4 years and am utterly happy with their performance. They have all the power I've ever needed, the pads are long-lasting, and I've only had to do minimal maintenance. They've never let me down and I'm stoked to see the new MT series!

[Reply]

cartz (Sep 23, 2011 at 19:35)

as brandonf said... to all of you hating on the 15mm axle, he's right. it's meant as a stiffer alternative to a 9 mm XC, marathon or trail fork. It never was nor will it ever be meant to replace the 20 mill axles on the big mountain forks like fox 36 or RS domain..etc. If anything I hope all XC forks will soon be 15 mm standard. I have a float RL with a 15 mm axle and it's noticeably stiffer than a standard QR dropout fork.

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krazieghost (Sep 23, 2011 at 12:10)

nice price to weight ratio for those brakes..ive never had the pleasure of riding a magura fork. i run an 09 lyrik 2step air on my AM bike and have been wanting to find a replacement..

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seraph (Sep 23, 2011 at 12:54)

The dual arch turns me off more than Manitou's reverse arch!

anarchistx (Sep 23, 2011 at 16:14)

Don't like the way the dual arch seems to channel all the shite that collects there onto your wiper seals too!

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GuyFord (Sep 24, 2011 at 19:03)

FWIW, the MT2 does not share the banjo-swivel hose fitting of its pro-level brothers, that feature starts at the MT4 level. With that in mind, can't wait for my MT6's to arrive.

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dyalnger9 (Sep 23, 2011 at 20:34)

Magura makes some awesome brakes. I've been running The Loiuse sp? for some time. I break them a lot but they have the best modulation I have ever felt. I highly recommend them if you can afford the extra $$$

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yanndmc (Sep 24, 2011 at 17:29)

The ditch in the arch seems to keep a lot of mud...
Nice fork anyways...I love Magura!

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WildCatManul (Sep 23, 2011 at 15:26)

I want new Wotan, with 180 mm travel! ))

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frijolemoreno (Sep 23, 2011 at 20:48)

I want this fork w/ a 20mm thru-axle. does anyone else besides rockshox offer a 4-lb 150mm fork w/ a 20mm? c'mon!

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shishka (Sep 24, 2011 at 7:05)

Another fork using a worthless 15 mm axle.

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Swingset (Sep 23, 2011 at 12:46)

Magura brakes rule

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egorka (Sep 23, 2011 at 13:03)

i don't really trust affordable brakes...

JamesJozef (Sep 23, 2011 at 13:39)

I trust affordable brakes from Magura a hell of a lot more than anything from Avid...

doug13 (Sep 23, 2011 at 14:35)

Don't knock them until you've tried them...

bigburd (Sep 23, 2011 at 15:08)

Egorka you are are a salesman wet dream. Get your credit card out

abiotic (Sep 23, 2011 at 23:36)

What about affordable brakes with 5 years leakproof warranty?

scrippsranchDJ (Sep 24, 2011 at 14:32)

Affordable brakes made by the company who sells brakes to BMW and porsche... what's not to be trusted?

yanndmc (Sep 24, 2011 at 17:36)

Maybe they should do a more expensive version just for you...

JamesJozef (Sep 24, 2011 at 22:15)

They do. It's called the MT8. Go buy those and you can have the same lever body, but more carbon for $300 more.

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rider243 (Sep 23, 2011 at 18:16)

wtf is with thos forks ?

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godofspeed (Sep 23, 2011 at 13:09)

SO f*ckING BEAUTIFUL

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Shibuyakid (Sep 23, 2011 at 14:49)

I have a Wotan fork and Magura brakes...can't wait to go back to Avid brakes and rock shox fork...

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