Originally Posted by
Eric F
I have read comments on MTB-focused forms that Shimano's MTB disc brakes are notably better than SRAM, but I haven't experienced it for myself. The previous owner of my newest MTB replaced the original SRAM Level Ultimate brakes with Shimano XTRs. Based on other changes he made to the bike, I can assume he thought the XTR brakes were an improvement. That said, this probably has very little comparison with road brakes.
All my mtb brakes are SRAM so I don’t have a personal comparison there. No complaints about them though. I certainly wouldn’t consider changing them out.
My only direct comparison of Shimano vs SRAM is on my 2 road bikes and I perhaps have a slight preference for Shimano there. But it’s very close.