Magura turned cockpit integration up to 11 with the MCi brake integrated handlebar system. Magura call it the “World’s first symbiosis of brake and handlebar”. To showcase how the system works in practice and to brag about the resulting ultraclean cockpit, Magura have created a concept bike. The bike build video shows how the whole system comes together; from the master cylinder inside the handlebar, to the easy-link tube coupling inside the headset, and the stealth routing along the way.
Magura MCi brake integrated handlebar system
The Magura MCi technology produces what is undoubtedly one of the cleanest cockpits there is. No cables rattling about up front. No bulky master cylinders. All this is hidden away inside the handlebar. All that can be seen is the brake lever itself and the clamp that attaches it to the bar. We think it looks pretty sweet.
Briefly, the brake master cylinder sits inside the handlebar with a bleed port accessible directly at the bar end. The lever pulls an internal sliding rod to activate the internal master cylinder in the bar. The hydraulic cables are routed internally through the handlebar and stem. They then travel through the headset via the steerer tube. The front brake cable travels directly down to the caliper. The rear brake cable enters the frame through the underside of the downtube, exiting at the underside of the chainstay to connect with the rear brake caliper. Cory covers the finer points of the Magura MCi system here.
With the master cylinder tucked away inside the handlebar it will be protected when you hit the deck. The size of the hole in the handlebar limits the possible locations of the brake lever with respect to the bar end and the angle. As is, the Magura MCi system won’t work for riders who like to run their levers flat or really steep.
Availability
There are no plans for the Magura MCi system to be made available as an aftermarket product. Magura have reserved the system for OE partners only. They will specify the components such as handlebars, stem unit and cable/line routing together with the respective bicycle manufacturer.
