"There's a new disc brake from Magura coming onto the market, the Louise," said editor-in-chief Tom Bierl. "We'll send Lehner there. Let him show us what he can do."
I spoke up with motivation: "I'd love to. I already have an idea. Many people think of Japan when they hear the name Magura. Along the lines of: Yamamoto Magura."
Silence.
Then Tom Bierl asked: "What?"
All the other editors looked at me as if I had just claimed that the Black Forest was in Bavaria. "Japan?" said Bierl. "Magura comes from Swabia - and everyone knows that! Lehner, don't fuck around."
So I travelled to Bad Urach with slightly mixed feelings. And came back with a report about a company that has been building brakes since 1893 - and names its products after family members.
The name Magura itself is already a family construct: it is made up of Magenwirth and Urach together. Company founder Gustav Magenwirth once developed braking and control systems for motorbikes here, and later also for bicycles.
In the bicycle department, this tradition was dealt with in a rather Swabian way: it was turned into a family of brakes. The strongest anchor in the programme was called Gustav M - named after the boss himself. The somewhat more delicate two-piston brake was named after his wife: Louise. Then came the daughters: Clara and Julie. A small family constellation made of aluminium and hydraulics.
The return of Louise
Now, a quarter of a century later, Louise is back. However, no longer as a dainty two-piston brake, but as a much more determined member of the family. The Magura Louise Elite is a Four-piston disc brake - and still only costs 109,90 Euro. By Magura standards, that's almost a knock-down price. It has been appearing on complete bikes since summer 2025. Now it is also coming to specialist dealers as a stand-alone brake.
The Brake caliper consists of one-piece forged aluminium. This so-called monoblock design is intended to prevent one thing above all: Leaks. Technically, the pliers are based on the familiar MT5but has been redesigned internally. Revised piston chambers and seals ensure that the pistons retract cleanly - which in turn reduces grinding noises.
The Louise works with 2.0 millimetre thick brake discs. Compatible models include the following MDR-S 2.0, MDR-C, Storm HC and MDR-P. For the brake pads, Magura relies on the MDP 9 Green.
The total weight is 250 grammes, included 100 centimetre brake line.
Built for e-bikes
Some of the new technology is clearly aimed at the growing e-bike market.
The Louise Elite is Compatible with the Bosch eBike ABSmore precisely with the modes Touring and Trail. An increased oil supply volume in the brake lever ensures that the system works smoothly with the ABS control behaviour.
Practical for workshops - and for anyone who likes to screw things together themselves - is the Easy Link technology. The brake line is tool-free connected to the brake lever. According to Magura, the assembly can be up to 40 per cent faster go.
The line itself is called Disctube 2.2 and has a Rotatable connection on the brake calliper. There is also a classic bleed screw on the pliers; a valve can be retrofitted if required.
In short: more service-friendly than before.
Carbotecture on the handlebars
The Brake lever consists of Magura's in-house Carbotecture materiala mixture of polymer and carbon fibres.
The lever itself has a textured surfacewhich is designed to provide grip even when wearing gloves. Inside, a Larger encoder pistonwhich, according to the manufacturer harder pressure point than with the MT5.
The Grip width can be realised with a T25 tool set.
The radial design saves space on the handlebars. The one-piece clamp can also be opened without removing the grip - a detail that mechanics like. About Magura Shiftmix IG shift levers or dropper remotes can also be mounted at the bottom of the clamp.
Quieter braking
Magura has also worked on the background noise.
The new MDR-S 2.0 brake disc has a revised friction ring design that is intended to reduce vibrations. Together with the even piston retraction, this should minimise the typical grinding noises that many disc brakes develop after prolonged use.
Magura is obviously confident enough in its durability to Five-year tightness guarantee on the brake lever and brake calliper - in addition to the statutory warranty.
A Swabian family
If you look at the product names today, the whole thing seems almost a little nostalgic.
While other manufacturers name their brakes after series of numbers, codes or fantasy names, Magura sticks to its small Swabian family.
Gustav.
Louise.
Clara.
Julie.
And somewhere in Bad Urach, someone is probably still thinking about which family member will be next in line for the handlebars.
Magura Louise Elite - the most important facts
- Type: Hydraulic 4-piston disc brake
- Price: 109,90 Euro
- Weight: approx. 250 g (incl. 100 cm brake hose and clamp)
- One-piece forged Aluminium brake calliper (monobloc)
- Based on the MT5, internally redesigned
- Optimised piston chambers and sealing areas for constant piston retraction
- Goal: less grinding noise and greater tightness
- For 2.0 mm thick brake discs designed
- Compatible discs: MDR-S 2.0, MDR-C, Storm HC, MDR-P
- Standard rubbers: Magura MDP 9 Green
- Textured brake lever for good grip with and without gloves
- Handle width adjustment per T25 tool
Technology & Features
- Bosch eBike ABS compatible (Touring and Trail mode)
- Easy Link technology: tool-free connection of brake hose and brake lever
- Assembly according to manufacturer up to 40 % faster
- Disctube 2.2 brake line with swivelling connection on the pliers
- Bleeding screw on the brake calliper, Valve can be retrofitted
- New friction ring design of the MDR-S 2.0 Disc
- Constant piston retraction reduced Grinding noises
- 5-year tightness guarantee on brake lever and brake calliper
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
