Quad’s latest Nano brakes get a lighter rotor to make them genuinely ‘Lite’ for the money, but the added reach adjust actually detracts from feel and control.
The Nano has been a decent basic anchor option that we’ve had no problems with in long-term use. The Lite gets upgraded with a curved arm and a more cut out ‘XC’ version of the previously chunky Pulse rotor which saves 40g for the 180mm size.
This makes it the lightest brake in the sub-£100 category and a bargain for weight watchers. Less pad contact area means less braking power compared to the £60 Nano though. A reach adjuster knob lets you set up blade distance without reaching for the toolbox but we’re less in love with the bite point adjuster lever.
This turns the already soft braking feel totally mushy and lets the levers pull all the way to the bars unless you wind the reach right out. Limited pad clearance even with the bite point backed off means a lot of squeak and drag in dirty conditions too.
This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.
