In the world of cycling brakes, generally, you will consider two leading brands: SRAM and Shimano. In today’s article, we will focus on the best Shimano brakes.
Shimano offers the best brakes for different types of bikes, however, for our top 8, we selected brakes for mountain bikes and road bikes. Shimano brakes offer excellent stopping power and it will give you peace of mind when cycling. The SHIMANO Ultegra BR-R8000 Brake is one of the best options on the market and will give you tons of value for your bike.
When looking for some of these brakes, there are tons of configurations and features you need to consider. However, we have done some of the research for you and now you can find the best Shimano brakes for your needs. The best brakes might be a little more expensive than some of the standard brakes, but they are an essential part of your bikes.
SHIMANO Ultegra BR-R8000 Brake | SHIMANO Deore BR-M6100 Disc Brake | SHIMANO Deore BR-M6120 Disc Brake | |
| Brake Type | Caliper Brakes | Disc Brakes | Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
| Bike Type | Road Bike | Mountain Bike | Mountain Bikes |
| Price | $$$$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Best Shimano Brakes On The Market Today
Before we look at some of the intricate features, we must dive into the top Shimano brakes. We have identified a couple of the best options on the market today. You can use these brakes on your bike. However, you need to make sure that they are compatible, which means looking at some of the setups.
Top Pick: SHIMANO Ultegra BR-R8000 Brake
The SHIMANO Ultegra BR-R8000 Brake is one of the most popular brakes on the market today. It features a caliper design, which means the brake will clamp together before stopping the tire. A center bolt mount is needed and the brakes are made from aluminum. These brakes are specifically made for road bikes.
What We Like:
- Durable: The brakes are made from aluminum and a powdered finish, which makes them weather resistant.
- Mounting: The center bolt mounting is effective for most bikes and most of your standard bikes will use it.
- Front & Rear: You don’t need to worry about finding different brakes, as these brakes can be mounted to the front or rear.
What We Didn’t Like:
- 700c Tires: The 700c tires are the most common when it comes to road bikes, but these brakes barely clear them.
Best Shimano Disc Brakes: SHIMANO Deore BR-M6100 Disc Brake
The SHIMANO Deore BR-M6100 Disc Brake is one of the best brakes when it comes to adding quality to your mountain bike. The brakes are made from high-end materials, but the disc brake design means it offers the best possible stopping power. Mounting it will require a servo, which makes the mounting slightly easier as well.
What We Like:
- Disc Brakes: The disc brakes are a high-end brake, which means they will offer you some of the best stopping power.
- ICE Technology: The ICE Technology is designed to cool the brakes when they heat up after massive braking zones.
- Tuning: The bike features an M6100’s I-SPEC EV lever, which allows the user to tune the brakes when needed.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Price: One of the downsides is the price. It is a little more expensive than some of the other brakes.
Best Hydraulic Disc Brakes: SHIMANO Deore BR-M6120 Disc Brake
The hydraulic disc brakes are some of the most popular on the market today. We have selected the SHIMANO Deore BR-M6120 Disc Brake, which mounts to the post of your mountain bike. Since it uses a hydraulic mechanism, it has some of the best gripping strength for stopping power. Unfortunately, they are a little expensive.
What We Like:
- Durable: These brakes are made for endurance trails, which means they need to be extremely durable and effective.
- Hydraulic: The hydraulic brakes are some of the most durable, which makes them effective for stopping power.
- Warranty: You will also get a limited 2-year warranty that should give you some value for your money.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Price: Unfortunately, these are hydraulic disc brakes, which means they are a little more expensive.
Best High-End Brakes: SHIMANO Deore XT M8100 M8120 Disc Brake
If you are riding on a professional level, you might need to consider some of the best brakes. We have selected the SHIMANO Deore XT M8100 M8120 Disc Brake as the best high-end brakes from Shimano. The brake is made from solid components and features 2-pistons. Additionally, it is a hydraulic brake for even more stopping power.
What We Like:
- Hydraulic: Once again, we have to recommend the hydraulic disc brakes, which are slightly better than mechanical disc brakes.
- Universal: Due to the structure and the post mounting of these brakes, they can be used for almost every bike type.
- Stopping Power: The stopping power is incredible and the brakes should bring the bike to a halt in a couple of feet.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Price: We know it might be the same as some of the others, but these are some of the most expensive brakes available.
Best Rear V-Brake: Shimano BR-T4000 Rear V-Brake
When it comes to budget brakes, you might need to look at the V-brakes. The V-brakes are designed to give you the basic stopping power and are found on most entry-level bikes. The Shimano BR-T4000 Rear V-Brake is an affordable option and it has a unique design that should make the mounting process much easier.
What We Like:
- Affordable: These are some of the most affordable brakes currently on the market today for new riders.
- Setup: You don’t need any expert tools or assistance with these brakes and they are very easy for you to mount.
- Mudguard: The additional mudguard that has been incorporated will keep the brakes protected from any particles and dirt.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Stopping Power: Unfortunately, these are not the best brakes for stopping power and only recommend for beginners.
Best Mountain Bike Brakes: SHIMANO Mountain Bicycle V-Brake
Mountain bike brakes are slightly harder to find and you need to make sure you find durable brakes that are protected. Dirt and grime can easily enter these brakes, but the mudguard on the SHIMANO Mountain Bicycle V-Brake is a great way to keep it out. The brakes are for the front and rear and they are easy to mount.
What We Like:
- Mudguard: Much like some of the other V-brakes, these brakes have a protective guard for the brake setup.
- Mounting: You don’t need specialized skills and these brakes can be very easy for most people to mount.
- Price: Since they are V-brakes, these are some of the most affordable options for the overall mountain bike.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Setup: One of the biggest issues that many people have reported is the setup and the configuration.
Best V-Brakes For The Road: SHIMANO Road Rear V-Brakes
V-brakes are not always the best brakes on the market today and we don’t often recommend them. However, the SHIMANO Road Rear V-Brakes is a great option for those strapped to a tight budget. These brakes are made to give you value for your money, while also ensuring that you don’t need to break your budget.
What We Like:
- Budget: As mentioned, these are some of the most affordable brakes currently on the market today.
- Mounting: Most road bikes should be able to mount them effectively and get you used to the brakes.
- Durable: Like all the other top Shimano brakes, aircraft-grade aluminum is used in the construction of these brakes.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Rear Only: These brakes are designed for the rear of your bike and it can be hard to match them with brakes for the front.
Best Shimano Brake Set: SHIMANO 105 BR-R7000 Brake Caliper Set
It is often better to buy a set of brakes instead of just buying one bike. Having the complete set should make it possible for you to set up the front and rear. The SHIMANO 105 BR-R7000 Brake Caliper Set is designed specifically for road cycling. It is made from high-end materials and should be easy to set up on your bike.
What We Like:
- Durable: Much like some of the others, the set is made from durable aluminum components and screws.
- Complete Set: These brakes are available in a complete set. The set will make it possible to have the same brakes for the front and rear of your bike.
- Connection: The brakes need to be mounted to the rims of the bike, which makes it much easier for beginners to set up.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Only For Road Cycles: Unfortunately, these brakes are designed for road cycling, but they should be ideal for mountain bikes as well if they are adjusted.
How To Find The Best Brakes From Shimano
Now that you have seen some of the best brakes on the market, you might need to understand a couple of things. These things are important decisions you need to make to ensure you get the best value for your money and the right brakes. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind before buying the best Shimano brakes.
Bike Type
You will need to find the right brakes for the right bikes. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot use one set of brakes for all your bikes. Due to the size of the tires, there might be a difference in the mounting of the brakes. However, the best Shimano brakes can be found for road bikes and mountain bikes. Often, you also find some sets for endurance bikes.
Brake Type
Once you have the right brakes for your bike, you will need to consider the different types of brakes available. The V-brakes are some of the cheapest brakes on the market today. Alternatively, you can look at the disc brakes, they are slightly more expensive. However, the hydraulic brakes offer the best stopping power.
Mounting
These brakes need to be mounted to the bike and you need to have the tools and the skills to mount them correctly. Many of them mount to the rim, while others will mount to the post (fork). You might need to have some basic mounting skills to make sure you can effectively set them up on your bike for safety.
Wrap-Up
Shimano is one of the best brands on the market today and their only real competition is SRAM. SRAM is slightly more expensive, but the best Shimano brakes will give you enough stopping power and confidence to ride your bike. Let us know in the comment section, which of these brakes you like and if we have missed any of your favorites.
