Material
The brakes and the disc is made from sturdy aluminum, so that it doesn’t add any unnecessary weight to your bike, and it is incredibly durable. You don’t have to worry about anything breaking if you happen to wipe-out. The tool-less features allow you to hop off of your bike and make adjustments to the disc without the need for any tools.

Effectiveness
This is where this these brakes really shine. Have you ever noticed when you are trying to control your bike on a steep downhill decline that the power behind your brakes tends to ‘fade’? This is typically due to the heat that builds, and it eventually reduces friction. Shimano’s radiator pads are designed with integrated fins to help reduce displaced tension to keep you in complete control the entire trip down the mountain. The braking system is also so incredibly easy to use that you can pull yourself to a complete stop using only one finger.

Style
The design of these brakes will transform your mountain bike into a rocket ship. They are made from a mix of matte and shiny black metal and alloy and have a small enough design that they don’t appear to be too big or bulky when mounted next to your hand grips on your handlebars. The disc that affixes to your tire is thin and sports a slick design that looks like it is just another part of your wheel.

Summary
If you are looking to upgrade your mountain bike brakes to something that can perform under the harshest trails, you can never go wrong with a Shimano product. You might have a pay a little bit more than you would other brands, but it is definitely worth the added cost in the long run.

Materials
Just like any Shimano product, these brakes are made from quality aluminum and alloy metal that allow you to stop on a dime without adding any unnecessary weight to your bike. All of the tools that you will need are included in the purchase of these brakes, including the brake pads, and these brakes are incredibly easy to install.

Effectiveness
You might be a little bit reluctant to purchase a set of V-brakes, because they are significantly cheaper than disc brakes, and many cyclists claim that they don’t have the same stopping power as disc brakes. While that might be true to a certain extent, Shimano designed these brakes to be incredibly powerful and almost as tough as disc brakes, because everything from the brake pads to the calipers is made from high-quality materials. Stopping with these brakes is also incredibly easy and can be controlled with just one finger. Less tension required from your hands to come to a stop and regain more control over your bike means that your hands won’t become tired as quickly and won’t cramp up the way they might with weaker brakes.

Style
Just like any Shimano product, these brakes look incredibly sharp atop the handlebars to your mountain bike. They are composed of a mix of both matte and shiny medals, and they sit next to your rubber grips without sticking out too much, which makes them far easier to use.

Summary
If you really wanted to upgrade your brakes to Shimano, but didn’t want to spend the extra money that you would require from Shimano’s disc brakes, these are an excellent option that is incredibly easy to install as well.

Material
As with any Shimano product, the break high-quality from high quality aluminum, so that it won’t add any extra weight to your bike. The purchase of this set only is available in the front set or rear set, so that if you wanted to get brakes for your front and rear wheels, you would have to make two separate purchases.

Effectiveness
Not only do these brakes look incredibly sharp, but they also perform like a dream. Often, when you are running a trail with tired brakes, your hands feel like they are doing all of the work for you instead of the brakes. Tired and cramped hands make for one miserable ride. These brakes, however, can be controlled with just one finger. And this eliminates tired and cramped hands, so that you can be out there longer. Fitted properly, these brakes will allow you to stop on a dime without so much as breaking a sweat.

Style
These brakes look like they were designed to be the brakes of a space shuttle. They are available in two very sharp colors, black, and silver. They are slightly smaller than the other two Shimano products on this list, and they look like they were built specifically for your handlebars. Both the black and the silver colors options are covered in a matte finish, so they won’t show every fingerprint and smudge.

Summary
If you are in the market for a new set of brakes, you simply cannot go wrong with Shimano. These V-brakes are not only incredibly affordable, but they are effective and look incredibly sharp. The only reason that they did not land a higher spot on the list is because some of the past users have come across some issues with the installation process.

Material
What’s great about these brakes is not only that they are incredibly affordable, but they are also made from high-quality materials. The mounting frame is composed of an aluminum alloy that is both durable and lightweight, so you don’t have to worry as much about the status of your brakes if you ever suffer a minor crash.

Effectiveness
If you are taking the time to upgrade the brakes on your mountain bike, the more important thing to look for is how well they perform. And these brakes can stop on a dime. What makes these brakes a little different is that the brake pads fit incredibly snug against your wheel, which is exactly what you want in a V-brake. The closer the pads sit on the wheel means the less force you will need to create friction between the pad and the brake. Less room means that you will be able to control the speed of your bike on the decline with the simple pull of one finger.

Style
The design of these brakes are simple and are meant to blend in seamlessly to your bike. They don’t stick out and are completely black, including the mount and brake pads. If you are looking for a simple upgrade to your existing brakes, this is a wonderful (and affordable) solution.

Summary
For cyclists that are looking to upgrade their existing V-brakes on their mountain bike, and don’t want to spend the extra cash on some of the more recognized companies, this is an excellent choice that will save you a little bit of money.

Material
Like any quality set of brakes, the Ztto V-brake is composed of alloy metal to ensure that they are able to take a blow if you happen to suffer a wipe-out on the trails. All the screws and bolts that are included are thick and made from alloy metals as well (some companies use plastic screws that aren’t as durable).

Effectiveness
Just like any good set of mountain bike brakes, these were designed to be able to stop quickly and efficiently and allow the driver to control the speed of their bike on steep downhill descents. The purchase of one set of these comes with units that work for both front and rear tires, making them an excellent deal at their price point. It is important to note, however, that they do not come with cables. You are either going to have to use existing cables that you already have, or buy new ones.

Style
The design of these brakes are sleek and sharp and don’t sit very high up above the wheels of the bike. They are offered in a matte black color with black brake pads and silver accents. They are designed to be used on both mountain bikes and folding bikes. If you want a new set of brakes that is really going to look great on your mountain bike, these are an excellent choice.

Summary
If you are a cyclist looking to make some upgrades to your mountain bike but are unwilling to pay the higher price tag as some of the other brakes out there on the market, the Ztto V-brake set is an excellent solution to keep you safe out there on the trails thing summer.

Materials
These brakes feature titanium/aluminum hardware, an alloy lever, and a polyester enforced line. The disc and rotors are not included with this set.

Effectiveness
The 2-piston caliper provides great stopping power. The lever is easily accessed and adjusted with an allen key. Also, the main cylinder reservoir is also easy to reach, making the lines easy to bleed.

Style
These brakes have futuristic qualities about them. The design and intricacies are well thought out and deliver. You won’t need to worry about adding any bulk or excess weight to your bike. They are only available in black, which is pretty standard, so that shouldn’t be an issue.

Summary
With the final assembly, not including the disc, these brakes weigh in at .54-pounds! These are one of the lightest and most powerful on our list. If you are looking for something new and versatile, these may be the perfect fit for you.

Materials
This set comes with a strong aluminum lever along with a 4-piston caliper with dual diameters of 14mm and 16mm. The lever can be adjusted without tools and the mounts are ambidextrous. These brakes come ready to install, but some have noticed that the hose is slightly long and recommend bringing it to your local bike shop to have it cut. The design makes bleeding the lines a breeze. Rotors are not included.

Effectiveness
These SRAM brakes are really making a name for themselves. Often compared to Shimano brakes, these brakes are smoother. They won’t jolt you and bring you to a dead stop. They are smooth and responsive while still giving the confidence to go down a steep hill. One customer said that he also likes to use these brakes with his cross-country bike because of the 4-piston caliber stopping power.

Style
With no glaring brand names or unattractive features, these brakes look very sleek. They are available in black or silver and 2 positions, front/left or rear/right.

Summary
If you’re looking for something a bit less mainstream but with a great reputation, these are a great buy. They are a great value and very durable. Just don’t forget to rotors and the possibility or shortening the hose.

Material
Just like any great handle lever, this product is made from a high-quality aluminum alloy, meaning that it is tough and durable, but it won't add any unnecessary weight to your handlebars.

Effectiveness
This lever hooks right up to the cables of an existing set of calipers, and hooks onto the handlebars right next to your rubber grips. It is able to affix to any type of handlebars that have a diameter of approximately 22 mm. These levers are incredibly easy to install and only require three fingers in order to come to a stop.

Style
The design of these brakes is one of the best features about them. Instead of coming in classic black or silver, they are coated with a shiny white finish with black accents. They are sure to add a little extra style to your mountain bike.

Summary
The best feature about these hand levers is the incredibly affordable price. One pair of these will set you back about the same amount of money that you probably spent this morning on a coffee and pastry. They are incredibly easy to install and really add a little bit of style to your mountain bike.

Material
Like any good product, these levers are made out of a high-quality aluminum alloy, so that if you happen to take a bit of a tumble, your brakes should be able to withstand the fall.

Effectiveness
Installation is easy. Simply hook up these levers to the existing cables from your mounted brakes. The lever of this particular model sticks out a bit more than some of the others, so you will have to reach your hand just a little bit farther. The good news is that it only requires the use of three fingers to pull the lever down so that you won’t suffer from tired fingers and hands when you get to where you are going.

Style
The design of these is a solid and matte black that has silver accents for the hardware. They are easily affixed to your bike and sit just below the rubber grips on your handlebars. They are also available in a midnight blue shade with black accents or silver with black accents.

Summary
If you are looking to upgrade the hand levers for your mountain bike, and you don’t really want to spend a whole lot of money, these are an excellent choice. The cost of these will set you back about the same amount that you spent on breakfast this morning.

Material
These are made from incredibly durable aluminum alloy. This type of material is perfect because it won’t weight the handlebars of your bike down, but it also is durable enough to withstand a wipe-out.

Effectiveness
The lever sits a little higher than some of the others, so you will have to reach your hands a little bit further up in order to stop. They are designed to be perfect for mountain bikes and folding bikes and are incredibly easy to install.

Style
The design of these brake levers is what sets them apart from some of the other out there on the market. They are available in four different colors: black, metallic red, metallic royal blue, and silver. Each color has black accents and silver hardware, making them look incredibly sharp when mounted on your handlebars.

Summary
If you want to add a little bit of color to your bike, and didn’t want to spend a lot of money, these are an excellent choice.