Formula Cura 2 Brakes // Long Term Review... Time to SELL your SRAM and Shimano Brakes!!

[@johnnnewmex]

Probably one of the best no bs brake discussions I've heard and pointing out the things you like/don't about different brands.

[@dustinbjohnson]

I appreciate that feedback! I just try to share my experiences and give my opinions and hopefully it helps someone out! 🍻

[@MTBActionCam1]

Nice review. Good chance that these will be my next brakes. I had a set of Formula Oro K24 brakes from 2008 to 2017 that worked very well with very little maintenance. Crazy light and would not fade on long downhills while on vacation. Like you note, parts are rarely stocked in any shops so I always kept a spare set of pads in my pack.

[@dustinbjohnson]

Thanks man! Yah ive done full days at the bike park and ZERO brake fade

[@Semprefi]

I haven’t tried the Curas yet but I’m a big Formula fan. I’ve been running The Ones on my Enduro bike for a couple years now and I absolutely love them. You nailed it when the first word out of your mouth when listing the Pros was modulation. The second is Power and let’s not forget Style because all of Formulas brakes are sexy as hell. I’m just getting ready to change the fluid on The Ones I have on my GT Sanction . Ok, that’s great but why am I telling you about my regular brake maintenance ? Because I’ve ridden countless miles with these brakes. Hard miles that include more brake hard at the last second and grit your teeth moments than I can count moments and this is gonna be the first time I’ve done anything to these brakes. Anyway, great video. I like your stripped down no BS style.

[@Semprefi]

P.S The One’s run the same 24mm pistons as the Cura and I’ve never felt the need to switch to 4 pot calipers

[@dogmanlol6998]

Let's not forget that Finn Iles won a race with them (DH bike)

[@dustinbjohnson]

Absolutely 💯

[@DiamondEyeMcGee]

Jr World Championship!

[@TheBIKEDEALZ]

How would you compare them to SLX7100 for example?

[@dustinbjohnson]

SLX is a super solid brake. More “On , Off” feeling. Shimano has problem with the wandering bite point… and it is too inconsistent for me. I much prefer the Curas. I’m actually now running the Cura 4s. I like them as much or better then the 2s

[@TheBIKEDEALZ]

@@dustinbjohnson I dig you, I have this wandering bite point thingi which happened on my M7100 and M7120 (on the 4 pot it was super bad ..) May I ask you why the Cura 4 are better for you? (if I recall correctly it's down to the change of riding style and more aggressive bike). Cheers M

[@JJ_MTB_15]

Thanks for the review and the shoutout man! I’d bet you pick up some subscribers because theres no vids on them out there. Sounds like the perfect combo. You’re right about the 2 piston vs 4 but I wonder how much difference having a bigger res for oil makes a difference. Also, if your already running XT’s on another bike these are mineral oil so you only need one bleed kit. I’ll have these at some point 👌

[@dustinbjohnson]

Hell yah man! Thanks for all your input on the channel its greatly appreciated!!🤘🤘 I just sold some XT 4-Pistons for a buddy. He was having all kinds of problems. They even warrantied them for a brand new set and they still had problems. He finally caved and bout some Cura 2s and loves them!

[@dustinbjohnson]

Formula and shimano have 2 completely different bleed kits unfortunately but I bought the formula bleed kit and it was only $45 plus $15 for there mineral oil. And I read formulas oil has a higher boiling point so they shouldn't have any brake fade on long descents. I've haven't in countered any fade yet on these!

[@JJ_MTB_15]

@@dustinbjohnson Good to know! It does look like they offer shimano i spec mount kits but it’s ispec-B? Not sure how that matches up.

[@JJ_MTB_15]

@@dustinbjohnson Shared the channel, lets see 1,000 before the new year 🤘

[@dustinbjohnson]

@@JJ_MTB_15 found and article on ispec... im not as familiar with shimano as I am with sram... www.bikeradar.com/features/shimano-i-spec-a-b-and-ii-mounts-explained/

[@nicolasta1141]

Hi Dustin, would you go with this 2 pistón brakes in a norco fluid (140mm-130mm) not the lightest bike, and also im 170lbs and 5’11..

[@dustinbjohnson]

The two piston cura brakes have tons of power. But the four pistons I actually like a little bit better now. The cura 4s have tons of power, but more modulation than the two pistons.

[@JJ_MTB_15]

I’m looking at my XT/XTR 4 piston combo i’m currently running that I was going to put on my Following XT build and the formulas would be roughly 295 grams (10.5 oz) less than the XT/XTR total. Thats significant. Is there channels inside the lever clamps to support piggybacking with you shifter/dropper? It doesn’t look like it. If not, as in my case I already ordered everything in ispec ev not band clamp, so if your adding to an existing build might want to look into that. Keep up the good work bro, always pumped when I see a new video and I’m sure others are too 🤘🔥🤘

[@gbuzz1245]

I just put a set of these of my bike and have to agree how good they are. I was using the TRP Quadium g spec trails and would say these have just as much power

[@dustinbjohnson]

Thats great input! I haven't tried the TRPs. I hear good things. But they look too clunky for me. These Curas are just beautiful

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

Still loving them? Can you confirm that the levers are flip/flop style meaning they can go left and right? How was the bleed process? 2 syringe method like SRAM or funnel style like Shimano? Thanks in advance!

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

@Christopher McGlaughlin Thanks bud!!

[@lakaldrak]

@Christopher McGlaughlin why U wwanna Switch to 4 Pistons? Just curiois cause im Not Sure which one inchould buy for trails, Bikeparks.

[@mtbboy1993]

Much better value than the two big S brands for sure. And oval pistons so should be even better performance. But I am curious about the four piston Cura4 but Cura2 is also interesting. 🤔 I currently use Trp Spyke dual piston mechanical brakes, but I want to go back to hydraulic brakes but it has to be reliable brakes, but also Trickstuff is interesting, but they have closed the shop until some day in February due to move, they are at High demand now, so hopefully they will be able to deliver brakes to more ppl, but best value is Formula. If I had to buy a set of brakes no it would be Formula for sure.

[@dustinbjohnson]

Yah id love to try some trickstuff! Maybe one day I can get my hands on them. Those trp spyre brakes are phenomenal for a mechanical disc brake! If you can upgrade to a cura 2 or 4 you will not be disappointed!

[@mtbboy1993]

@@dustinbjohnson I haven't tried Spyre but they are the same thing basically, but My Ml800 Spyke levers went from 1cm of play as new to 1.5 cm of play, play in every direction, horrible feel. I have review of all of it on my website. it will be nice to not need to add Loctite 243 on the threads on pad adjustment, and to adjust the brakes so often. but it's much more reliable than all the shimano brakes I've tried, they all leaked.

[@JJ_MTB_15]

@@mtbboy1993 i’ve done a bunch of research on these and it seems the 2 piston is more well liked than the 4 piston, it’s got two giant 22mm (if i remember correctly) pistons as opposed to 4 15-16mm pistons. One of the recent big DH circuit’s it was the only 2 piston brake out there so that says somethin, might have been world cup.

[@erikl10001]

Thanks for the vid! How well do you feel like the contact adjustment works on these? I’m coming from Shimano Deore that don’t have the adjustment at all but I’ve had other Shimano that had it and like everyone else, I didn’t experience any difference with the contact point adjustment on them. Really looking for something with functional contact adjustment.

[@dustinbjohnson]

These curas don’t have an actual contact point adjustment. But the do have a reach adjustment which may be what your referring to? The reach adjustment works well but not as simple and easy as other brakes I’ve tried like the trp dhr evo and shimano xt. But I really love the curas. Since this video I tried the cura 4s and prefer them over the 2s. More modulation and better feel in my opinion

[@erikl10001]

@@dustinbjohnson oh I think I got myself mixed up then. Been doing a lot of brake research lol. It does look like the cura 4s have something called feeling control system but their site doesn’t make it clear what that actually is. I’d assume it’s bite point…? Edit: after some unexpectedly difficult digging I am 99% sure the fcs tech is a bite point adjustment but is only available with the upgraded lever that can be bought and installed onto any of the cura brakes. I haven’t found many reviews that talk about it and how effective it is though. If you’ve got that fcs tech on yours I’d love to know what your experience has been with it!

[@IndiaMikePapa]

Better than the MT7 Pro?

[@dustinbjohnson]

I don’t have much time on magura. So can’t really say

[@mazditzo]

Wish formula improve their production and distribution capacity ... Hard ro find in many lbs ... Only import from certain countries and the fee is ridiculous

[@dustinbjohnson]

100% agree!

[@mtbboy1993]

Do you have any play in the lever? I think I did about 400 km on them last year before they got play.

[@mtbboy1993]

I've ordered a set of Formula Cura 4 from Geometron. So soon I will be back on hydraulics.

[@r0dclarke]

Hey Dustin you still using these? Still rate them?

[@dustinbjohnson]

I am currently running shimano XTR trail brakes. I'll have a review on them soon. But I still stand by my word on the Curas! They are phenomenal brakes! Most consistent brake I've ever ran

[@r0dclarke]

@@dustinbjohnson cheers. How is the stopping power of the Cura 2’s compared with XTR? Are the XTR 2 or 4 pot? Looking to put the Cura 2 on a SB 4.5 which is similar to your Following.

[@mtbboy1993]

I see they are out of stock in retailers i looked at. 😕

[@dustinbjohnson]

Check Joyride Cycles website. They have stock and believe they ship!

[@mtbboy1993]

@@dustinbjohnson internationally? I live in Norway. I know Bikester had them but they only listed rear brakes, and their answers were stupid.

[@mtbboy1993]

@@dustinbjohnson I sent them a message, so will wait and see if they answer if they ship internationally.

[@dustinbjohnson]

@@mtbboy1993 my roommate works there. Ill let him know!

[@mtbboy1993]

@@dustinbjohnson I see Rose bikes have Cura 2 in stock now. www.rosebikes.com/formula-cura-frontrear-2-piston-disc-brake-2674644 In grey, the others they don't have in stock.

[@litenantjv]

350$? i bought it in december for 180€ the pair

[@dustinbjohnson]

I think the run $165 a brake, and $40 a rotor.

[@litenantjv]

@@dustinbjohnson maybe here in Europe they are a little bit cheaper, usually they cost 200€ the pair but there was an offer at 180€ I don’t know about the rotors I use shimano with ice technology

[@Dano71R]

Awesome! I'm in Italy and didn't know that formula was italian!! I discovered that just yesterday!Cuz all you hear is the big brands over and over. In a month my E-Bike is arriving and it has sram guide t as standard brakes. I tested the bike and immediately hated the brakes 😯! I'm almost absolutely sure that I'm gonna get a set of Formulas! One question ❓ do you think I should go 4 pistons front and 2 in the back? Or 4 &4? Btw it's an italian E-Bike: THOK TK01 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@dustinbjohnson]

Hell yeah! For an ebike I'd go with Cura 4s 🇮🇹🍻

[@mannybolletta]

i would have never guessed italian

[@dustinbjohnson]

🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@βασιληςμπιλαρας]

I don't change Shimano br-m8120 for nothing.

[@mtbboy1993]

You still can't buy Trickstuff, as its out of stock on all models in all retailers I know sell them and Trickstuff fhad not opened the store yet. But new website eis up, and they are part of DT Swiss now, so hopefully this is a good thing. But I think cura 4 is wha ti will ho for.

[@tomaskupstys7965]

I really doubt anything 2 piston can come close to Code RSC power. Codes made me downsize the rotors on “enduro” 29er. I am on Hope V4 with 203 rotors front and rear, even they aren’t as powerful as Codes. I am yet to probably try Curas, as I am testing their suspension products (coil Selva and Mod shock), which by the way are great!

[@dustinbjohnson]

I thought the same thing man! I've owned both. And I can attest they have as much or more power then my codes rscs.

[@tomaskupstys7965]

@@dustinbjohnson Not going to argue until I’ll try a set. But there’s a difference on what bike you mount them. For example, my bike is heavy hitting coil shock, coil fork and tyre insert equipped 29” “enduro” beast which is around 16.5kg with pedals, where’s yours is more of a lightweight trail bike.

[@dustinbjohnson]

@@tomaskupstys7965 for sure man! I have multiple years on code RSCs. And back to back on the same bike with cura 2s. I took the Pepsi challenge. I have no scientific data to back it up. But with the monolithic rotors. The cura 2s feel like they have more power in my opinion

[@ameraldas3641]

the cura 2's have the biggest piston that is available in a 2 piston brake. they are pretty much the only 2 piston brake used on dh bikes, the rest are 4 piston

[@testtesttesttesttest884]

The Code RSC in multiple tests is less powerful than many brakes like Hayes Dominion, Hope Tech V4, Etc.