Clarks M4 brakes review

The M4 from Clarks is one of the cheapest four-piston brakes on the market, but does that stop it from packing a punch?

It is also said to be Clarks' most powerful brake to date, aimed at enduro and DH riders, as well as those on electric mountain bikes.

Note that, while most brake systems are priced for a single brake with no rotor or adaptors, the price here is for a pair of brakes, with rotors included.

Clarks M4 brakes specifications

Despite a low overall cost, the M4’s lever is far from feature-free. The clamp is hinged, enabling easy fitting to the handlebar. It might not be quite as refined in feel as more expensive brakes’ clamps, but it’s far easier than a band-on type clamp to use.

The brake lever itself is long – Clarks claiming that it’s a ‘two-finger’ lever. There’s a pronounced up-turn at the end of the lever to keep your finger (or fingers) in place, while gentle dimples on the lever blade add grip.

The lever features a simple lever reach-adjustment screw, located between lever and bar. It’s not the easiest to access, and beware going all the way to the extremes of its adjustment, because you may find the piston bottoms out or you disengage the screw.

Despite this, the range of lever reach is impressive, so these brakes should work for a range of hand sizes, and there’s not masses of lever rattle or free-play before the piston is engaged.

At the caliper end, again you can see evidence of the low price, but there’s little to compromise performance. The four 16mm-diameter pistons push on a fairly long, top-loaded, sintered pad.

The hose leaves the caliper at a set angle, rather than featuring an adjustable banjo, as found on pricier stoppers.

Bleeding Clarks brakes has proved easy with the brand's universal bleed kit, though it’s clear the hardware is another place where costs have been shaved (but not necessarily compromising performance). I tested the brakes with their own 203mm rotor.

Clarks M4 brakes performance

Bedding in these brakes took longer than most, and the process was fairly smelly as I burned off the outer surface of the pads. I was perhaps bedding them in longer than some in the search for extra power, because compared to other brakes they’re not as punchy.

The lever feel is good, though, being fairly firm rather than mushy. I was impressed by the lack of lever-body flex, which helps keep the brakes feeling sharp.

That said, there’s not a huge amount of bite in the brake’s initial contact with the rotor. As such, I found myself pulling hard to achieve the braking performance I was after. On a long descent, this is going to contribute towards hand and arm pump.

Here, the longer, two-finger lever might come into play. It's something I tend to avoid because having more fingers wrapped around the bar is preferable, but at least there’s the option, when you really need extra strength.

I wasn’t overly sold on the lever shape when pulling hard. It’s shallow in profile, the thin blade being noticeably less comfortable than broader levers when hauling on the brakes.

Pull harder, and you do eventually reach the brake’s maximum output. It shouldn’t be a surprise that it doesn’t hit the higher echelons of my group test in the power stakes.

The M4 is, though, a cheaply priced brake. Those on a tight budget could do a lot worse than pick it up from a shop, because it includes the rotor and hardware, which are often pricey additions.

Heavier riders, or those who ride steep, technical terrain might want to extend their search and look for a deal on cheaper Shimano four-piston brakes, or perhaps save for stoppers from Magura or SRAM.

Clarks M4 brakes bottom line

Clarks’ brakes are easy on the pocket, but with less cash spent on construction there are some compromises.

Power levels, understandably, are down on pricier brakes, and the lever didn’t blow me, nor my colleagues, away.

However, if you do want to save some cash, and aren’t too extreme or aggressive a rider, the M4 will bring you to a halt.