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Trickstuff Brake Overview & Maxima Review

Trickstuff Brakes – Are These the Pinnacle of MTB Stopping Power?

Trickstuff is a small German company with a singular focus: build the most powerful, precise, and beautifully engineered brakes on the market. Their reputation is built on obsessive craftsmanship—every caliper is CNC-machined, every lever assembly is hand-assembled, and every brake is built to perform under serious pressure. While the price may be steep, riders who’ve made the leap often claim they’ll never go back.

When you're hammering through fast descents, threading technical lines, or riding hard on a 40-pound enduro sled, braking power isn't just nice to have—it’s critical. The question is: who’s really building the best brake out there? Riders chasing the absolute top end of performance have likely heard the name Trickstuff. But are they just boutique bling, or do they actually stop better than everything else?

Trickstuff has four main brake models—Piccola, Piccola HD, Direttissima, and Maxima— ranging from the most lightweight and xc level of brakes to one of the most powerful downhill brakes and anything inbetween. Not only are the brakes quality and high end, but their brake pads are some of the best in the market as well.

Trickstuff Brakes are highly functional works of art, the detail is second to none

Brake Lineup Breakdown

Piccola – Ultra Lightweight XC Braking

The Piccola is designed for riders who want the lightest brake possible without completely giving up on power. We’re talking full carbon levers, minimal caliper weight, and an XC-focused design that’s still surprisingly capable on aggressive courses. Ideal for cross-country racers, marathon riders, or anyone trying to shed grams without compromising too much on performance.

Specs & Details

Lever: Full carbon with 4 ball bearings
Caliper: 2-piston, ultra-light alloy
Weight: 167g
Pads: POWER pads included
In the Box: Brake set (front/rear), clamps, bolts, pad springs, and hardware
Shifter Adapter Compatibility: SRAM Matchmaker, Shimano I-Spec (sold separately)
Shifter adapter, rotor & caliper adapters sold separately

Piccola HD – XC Lightness Meets Trail Power

If the original Piccola is too minimal for your riding style, the HD version brings more heat. It swaps the 2-piston caliper for a 4-piston setup, adding a ton of bite while retaining the compact lever design, which has just been updated to the 3d printed titanium lever. This makes it great for heavier XC riders, light trail builds, or even e-MTBs where a balance between light weight and power is key.

Specs & Details

Lever: Same as Piccola but with 3D printed titanium lever
Caliper: 4-piston aluminum caliper
Weight: Slightly heavier than Piccola - 190g
Pads: POWER+ pads pre-installed
In the Box: Brake set (front/rear), clamps, bolts, pad springs, and hardware
Shifter Adapter Compatibility: SRAM Matchmaker, Shimano I-Spec (sold separately)
Shifter adapter, rotor & caliper adapters sold separately

Direttissima – Precision & Modulation for Big Mountain Riding

The Direttissima strikes a middle ground between XC lightness and DH brute force. It’s a 4-piston brake with a sleek body and refined lever feel, built to deliver incredible modulation and consistent power for technical descents and long enduro stages. It’s been a favorite for riders who want more than a trail brake but don’t need full-on DH stopping force.

Specs & Details

Lever: Aluminum with tool-free reach adjust
Pistons: 4-piston stainless steel (14/17mm)
Weight: ~255g per brake
Pads: POWER+ included
In the Box: Brake set (front/rear), clamps, bolts, pad springs, and hardware
Shifter Adapter Compatibility: SRAM Matchmaker, Shimano I-Spec (sold separately)
Shifter adapter, rotor & caliper adapters sold separately

Maxima – The Absolute Apex of Braking Performance

This is the top-tier model—the no-compromise option for downhill, enduro, or e-MTB riders who demand maximum power, fade-free performance, and unmatched modulation. The Maxima uses oversized calipers, large-diameter hollow pistons, and a unique lever design that multiplies force without requiring a heavy pull. The result? Mind-bending braking power that still feels effortless and controlled at the lever.

Specs & Details

Lever: High-leverage design with steel pivot joint
Caliper: 4-piston CNC’d aluminum, hollow stainless pistons (16/17mm)
Weight: ~275g per brake
Pads: 730 POWER+ pads pre-installed
In the Box: Brake set (front/rear), clamps, bolts, pad springs, and hardware
Shifter Adapter Compatibility: SRAM Matchmaker, Shimano I-Spec (sold separately)
Shifter adapter, rotor & caliper adapters sold separately

Rotor Options – Dächle Discs and More

Trickstuff doesn’t just stop at brakes—they build their rotors with the same obsessive precision. Their Dächle rotor lineup is tailored for maximum braking performance, heat management, and long-term durability. Whether you're after lightweight race-day rotors or beefy DH rotors that can handle brutal heat loads, Trickstuff offers the right match. All Trickstuff rotors feature their proprietary Dächle technology, a cut-out pattern designed to optimize cooling and reduce vibration. Additionally, all rotors include wear indicators and are laser-etched for precision specs.

Rotor Options:

Dächle Disc HD (Heavy-Duty)

Designed for downhill and enduro use
Thicker 2.05 mm construction
Wider 15.5 mm friction ring
Sizes: 160, 180, 203 mm
Superior heat dissipation and fade resistance

Dächle Disc UL (Ultra-Light)

Optimized for XC and lightweight trail builds
1.85 mm thickness with 14 mm friction ring
Sizes: 140, 160, 180 mm
Saves grams without compromising modulation

Downhill Disc (Oversized)

Built specifically for aggressive DH riding
Heaviest and most robust in the lineup
2.05 mm thickness, 15 mm friction ring
Size: 223 mm
Maximum heat absorption and bite power

Bionol Brake Fluid – Clean Performance, Inside and Out

One of the subtle but significant details that sets Trickstuff apart is their use of Bionol, a proprietary brake fluid designed to outperform traditional options in both safety and heat resistance. Unlike DOT or mineral oils, Bionol is non-toxic, biodegradable, and thermally stable, making it both environmentally conscious and incredibly effective in extreme riding conditions.

Because Bionol resists boiling far better than conventional fluids, it helps maintain braking consistency on long descents and under hard repeated braking—especially critical for models like the Maxima, which are designed for heavy-duty use. It also has a longer service life, reducing the frequency of brake bleeds and maintenance over time.

Key benefits of Bionol:

Non-toxic and biodegradable
Extremely high boiling point for better heat resistance
Compatible across all Trickstuff brakes
Extends maintenance intervals due to fluid stability
Improved bite consistency and modulation over long descents

On-Trail Performance: Maxima

When it comes to actual trail performance, the Trickstuff Maxima isn’t just powerful—it’s in another league. The Maxima delivers a unique combination of raw stopping power and soft initial bite that makes it both confidence-inspiring and subtle at the same time. Unlike other powerful brakes that can feel grabby or twitchy, the Maxima ramps up power smoothly, letting you modulate perfectly mid-corner or during technical descents.

The Maxima caliper’s size might look overbuilt, but on-trail, it feels precise. The lever feedback is firm but fluid, with just enough resistance to keep your input consistent and predictable. Long descents show zero signs of fade—even with heavy riders on e-MTBs or big DH bikes. The unique Bionol fluid contributes to this, resisting heat and boiling far better than DOT fluid.

Riding everything on the Maxima brakes showed no weaknesses, slow tech with lots of modulation was great, long 2,000ft descents with steep chutes, zero fade.

Quick Ride impressions of Piccola HD

The Piccola HD is the perfect light trail brake, and while only having one ride on it, I could immediately tell it has all the benefits and feel from the Maxima I have been riding in a lighter, smaller package. The lever feel is like nothing ive felt, its so light and smooth, at first you almost grab too much brake when coming off other brands. While we didnt get to fully test the Piccola HD, its going to be making its way onto some bikes in the near future!

Setup Notes

When setting up Trickstuff brakes, it's worth noting:

Fluid: They use Bionol, which is non-toxic, biodegradable, and extremely heat-resistant.
Bleeding: While manageable, proper technique is essential, especially with the Maxima’s dual bleed ports.
Cable Options: Hoses are offered in Kevlar or steel-braided Goodridge lines, offering stiffness and reliability.
Compatibility: Lever clamps are compatible with SRAM Matchmaker and Shimano I-Spec, but adapters must be purchased separately.
Rotors: Trickstuff rotors are sold separately, and you’ll want to pair these brakes with 203mm or larger rotors to really maximize their potential.

Worldwide’s Favorites

Insane braking power, especially in Maxima
Top-tier modulation and control
Premium materials and construction
Ultra-lightweight options (Piccola, HD)
Modularity and compatibility with shifter systems
Eco-friendly, high-performance brake fluid

What's Worldwide's Takeaway?

If you're chasing absolute braking performance with no compromises, Trickstuff is the end game. The Maxima is the most powerful and most controlled brake we’ve tested—hands down. Riders pushing downhill, freeride, enduro, or heavy e-MTB setups will find the Maxima to be a massive upgrade in control, confidence, and consistency.

The Piccola and Piccola HD serve lighter-duty needs extremely well, with an emphasis on weight savings without completely giving up power. The Direttissima sits perfectly in the middle, offering reliable modulation with enough bite for big rides or trail abuse.

That said, if you’re the kind of rider who obsesses over performance, tunes suspension weekly, and knows what “lever feel” actually means—Trickstuff is built for you.