Just as you're able to get Shimano XTR cranksets in two versions, Race 2x10 and Trail 3x10, the brakes are available to match. And with the wholesale design change from the previous 970 brakes, the braking quality is more akin to the Shimano brakes that we've relied on for years, and they weren't recent models either. These XTR M988B Trail Brakes are visually similar to the 985 XTR Race Brakes, though a close inspection will reveal that there are indeed a few differences that make the 988 Trail Brakes more suitable for aggressive use. The lever blade itself is one millimeter wider, at 14mm, in order to give you a bit more surface area. Additionally, it's dimpled for extra grip at the lever. Your fingers will appreciate the new blades after lengthy, white-knuckle descents. This version also allows you to adjust the free stroke of the lever blade, where the XTR Race levers do not. This function lets you determine how far you like the blade to travel before your pads make contact with the rotor, and couple that with a reach adjustment, and you're able to dial them in to perfection. In comparison to the previous 970 XTR's radial master cylinder design, this 988 XTR master cylinder is far different. For starters, the integrated barrel reservoir sits along and atop the master cylinder, which is positioned at a tangent to the bar, rather than straight out from it. In terms of size, these levers are much lower profile, but more importantly, the movement of the lever pivot towards the bar creates a more efficient design. In essence, the arc of the lever optimizes your natural finger movement. This creates a position of strength with the point in the lever travel where your power is transferred through the system to the caliper. These also feature Shimano's Servo Wave technology, where the Race levers do not.
- Mount Type: post
- Actuation: hydraulic (Servo-Wave)
- Pre-Bled: yes
- Lever Adjustability: free stroke
- Rotor: not included