Do the SRAM Maven Brakes Suck? First Ride on Javi's custom Transition TR11 DH Bike / 4-22-24

Javi just built a new custom DH bike so we took it to the steeps to test it out. He built a custom Transition TR11 frame up build. He put on the carbon Spoke X wheels with Onyx hubs, Rock Shox Boxxer w/charger 3 fork, Yoshimura stem and pedals ...but he also put on the new SRAM Maven Brakes. I have very bad experience with SRAM brakes and seen way too many people crash when their SRAMs failed so I was surprised he decided to try them out.
For his first ride we thought it would be best to test it down the steeps.

[@michaeljordan3084]

lol all the reports are that they suck major balls, other than having insane stopping power. Where I rode today was like summer, dry AF, missing that hero dirt already. Holy shit that was the funniest team crash ever. That’s exactly why I love watching. Hope everyone is OK. Thx for posting Tommy.

[@TommyHuynh]

Yeah I agree, I was busting up laughing when I was editing that crash

[@50whatnomadtravelnursemtb5]

I have been using Code RSCs on my ebike for 2 years, ZERO issues just going through brake pads frequently in rear. I bought the Maven ultimate set immediately when It dropped , saving it for my newly purchased Revel Rail..gonna try full SrAM this build.

[@TommyHuynh]

That good to hear, what I always tell people is if you had the SRAM Code RSC and never had issues than you don't need to upgrade. The type of trails we ride the SRAM brakes always fail ...they are good 90% of the time but when the DH is really steep or long they will fail

[@ark530abe]

@@TommyHuynheh i disagree. Big rotors metallic pads you will be fine. I ride sram and ride majority dh trails. Never had them fade unless I needed a brake bleed. Also they’re plenty of world cup dh riders who rock sram brakes.

[@50whatnomadtravelnursemtb5]

@@TommyHuynh not upgrading, building new bike, but yeah I like either..I definitely don’t ride that steep every ride. They should be great

[@oldmanshan6443]

Brave for doing this in the wet, with all new everything!

[@TommyHuynh]

Yeah the dirt was good but those rock slabs were so sketchy 😬

[@mrvwbug4423]

I've heard mixed reviews on the Mavens. My personal favorite are the TRP DH-R Evos like you have on your bikes, though I'm currently running XTs just because they came on my bike and they're good enough to not need upgrading.

[@TommyHuynh]

I agree, I think the TRP DHR Evo are by far the best brakes 💯 the Mavens are too grabby

[@MyPavelf]

Amazing trail, amazing riders, amazing footage 🤘🏻. Tommy, (hope it is not your big secret 😂) what GoPro settings do You use ? Where do You mount the camera ? How do You get this sound quality ? Thank You, bro ❤

[@TommyHuynh]

It's no secret, it the camera. I don't use gopro. I use the DJI Osmo Action 3 (but the Action 4 is even better in low light) I shoot in 4k, 24 FPS.

[@edfunk9574]

I’ve had the mavens for about 3 months and have had nothing but positive things to say about them 👍

[@TommyHuynh]

If you like them than that's awesome 👊

[@blake3120]

You’re the man Tommy! Great video

[@TommyHuynh]

Thanks brotha 🙏 I'm glad you enjoyed the video

[@Willy-ig7nw]

You should head out to Squamish BC or Whistler, I think you and your crew would enjoy a trip like that

[@joechoi3936]

He's mentioned before he can't get into Canada due to his past

[@TommyHuynh]

Yeah unfortunately I wouldn't be able to get into Canada

[@JeremyFacer]

@@TommyHuynhwhy not?

[@clarencehowell1986]

That is as a Big boy trail. Glad everyone who crashed was laughing

[@TommyHuynh]

Yeah glad no one got seriously hurt for sure 🙏

[@Striveon247]

I have the mavin's ultimate limited edition. Love these breaks Is best in the market right now

[@mellissanash7517]

If it was lower in price, the Intend brakes look just as good, if not better.

[@TommyHuynh]

The Maven are strong brakes but I definitely prefer the TRP DHR Evo which has much better modulation

[@jessehill3780]

Pad compound can play a big role in modulation. Currently there isn’t any other option besides organic or sintered but once some mtx reds and golds come out you’ll be able to tweak them a bit more while maintaining the mechanical power of the larger caliper pistons etc…

[@FOTB407]

@@mellissanash7517no comparison in my opinion, intend looks so much better especially levers. MAVENs r ugly.

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

I love mine.

[@TommyHuynh]

That's awesome 👊

[@thinkaboutit3011]

I just put a set of mavens on my transition spire 2 weeks ago the power is insane I had mt7s and 220 rotors now the mavens I only threw on the 200s and they are way more powerful. Did you guys notice the bite point moving out when you pulled the lever multiple times fast? Mine did it and it's been getting better as I have ridden them seems on the forums it's happening a bit

[@TommyHuynh]

Yeah they are very strong, Javi said the same thing he's going to take the 220 off and put on 200. They definitely seem to be much better than previous SRAM brakes but I prefer the power and modulation of TRP DHR Evos

[@thinkaboutit3011]

@TommyHuynh I'm fat so I'm liking the power 🤣🤣🤣

[@Senditsafely]

You need to massage the pistons and do a good bleed, then they work awesome

[@thinkaboutit3011]

@Senditsafely I did, I have them on a transition so it's external brake line I never cut them so factory bleed they started this way then I tried bleeding the rear a few times and I used 2 rotors with no pads to cycle the pistons in and out and then bleed again no change I then started bleeding them any which way I could think of I even left the bike hanging from the front wheel to see if air would work its way up to the lever if there was any. Nothing changed but decided to get them really hot and that seemed to help and now Mayne 10 rides in the are definitely getting better but still pump up but it's maybe 40% of what it started as. Do you have any tricks?

[@jessehill3780]

Yea the bite point happened on mine new but they break in and get better and better. About 10ish rides now on mine and I’ve been liking them a lot.

[@JohnMcLon-tt8il]

Is the intro dude running a Capra with dh forks or something?

[@TommyHuynh]

Yes

[@trailpimp6369]

Looks fun brother

[@TommyHuynh]

Yeah we are blessed to have these trails in our back yard 💪

[@niarfeqa539]

Good job 💪 Great video 🤙

[@TommyHuynh]

Thanks brotha 👊 glad you enjoyed it

[@rojors]

That tr11 light green color, how did you route your rear brake cable?

[@hekross07]

Looks good, where is the trail?

[@kochtrevor]

"Alright.. this is EUGHUOGHOU" Mountain biking in a nutshell, hahahaaa.

[@TommyHuynh]

🤣🤣

[@kevinb8138]

What brake pads do you like running with your TRPs?

[@TommyHuynh]

The blue ones

[@agustinmedinaMTB]

Tommy what microphone do you use?

[@TommyHuynh]

I don't use a microphone it's just my DJI Osmo A3

[@michaelmann3636]

How tall is he and what size did he get❓

[@michaelmann3636]

Also riding weight and size of spring.

[@michaelmann3636]

Sorry I thought he had a coil.😂

[@erickochoa6316]

where the fook is the maven review?

[@jasonharris3873]

Not a fan of SRAM brakes. I realize how fast you guys are when I ride some of these trails. Making it look too easy.

[@TommyHuynh]

Yeah SRAM brakes have always been crap to me, and I was expecting the new Maven to be the same but they are much better than all previous models. They are really strong but they seem to be on/off like Shimano

[@mellissanash7517]

The Sram DB8 are like a shimano had the modulation of the G2.

[@hummer694life]

@@TommyHuynh you get used to it but can change it a little by having it bite closer to the bar.

[@mrvwbug4423]

@@mellissanash7517 When I went to Whistler last year the rental DH bike I got had DB8s on them, best SRAM brakes I've ever ridden haha. I usually hate SRAM brakes and ride Simanos and also really like the TRPs.

[@user-ws4zj7cl3c]

падение сильно как вы терпите

[@ManNomad]

Sram sucks!

[@TommyHuynh]

The Maven are much better than any other SRAM brakes but I still think they are not as good as TRP, Shimano and Magura

[@Ozzy-ez2de]

​@@TommyHuynhI've tried the 3 you mentioned as well as sram. Sram is better than Shimano and comparable to magura when it comes to the code rsc's, but the best brakes I've ever tried are definitely Hayes! Those brakes are not flashy, but they are just so extremely powerful while still giving you so much, no, not so much, but the MOST control. It's not even close.