Shimano has just launched a new cheaper brake under the radar. We saw the four piston hydraulic BR-MT520 Deore brakes on the Liv Cycling e-bike we tested last week, the first time we had seen or heard of the budget brakes. It looks to be a good option, not just for e-bikes but also for regular trail riders looking for a bit more power for a few less pounds. 

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We rode two different combinations of lever and calliper, the first was a BR-MT500 lever with BR-MT520 calliper on the cheaper of the two bikes and the second combo was the same calliper but with a slightly higher spec lever (BR-MT520). 

The MT500 lever has been around for a while, usually used with 2 piston MT500 callipers. It's an entry level lever but still features servo wave tech, reach adjust (with a tool) and is compatible with i-spec II. With a bit of research on the web it looks like the recommended combination for these four-pot brakes is an MT501 lever with the aforementioned MT520 calliper. We have been in contact with Shimano distributor Madison to find out how the brakes will be sold.

 
At the moment they have been able to tell us that they brakes will retail at £54.99 per end and have just arrived with them so hopefully will be on sale soon.

We got the brakes pretty hot riding e-bikes in Italy, we can report that whilst they aren't as powerful as higher end brakes (to be expected) they are a head above other 2 piston options and at this price, the performance might be hard to quibble! We are looking forward to spending some more time on them soon. 

• www.madison.cc
• www.bike.shimano.com

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