Review: Formula Oro K18 MTB Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Located in Prato, Italy, Formula puts out high quality hydraulic braking systems for both mountain bikes and trials motorcycles. Known for their high quality craftsmanship, Formula brakes are saught out by many mountain bikers as they try to chose the highest quality hydraulic braking systems for their mountain bikes. The Formula Oro K18 is the budget brake out of the lineup and the focus for this review.

More about Formula (http://www.formula-brake.it):

Formula was established in 1987 in Prato Italy as a motorcycle wheel and brake brake manufacture. Even out earliest moto products were winning World Championships as our bicycle disc brakes would many years later.  Recently, Formula has grown rapidly and has earned the reputation of making the best performing and lightest weight disc brakes on the market.  We stay true to our company motto:  Power, technology, design.  Fine Italian engineering and manufacturing can be seen in each one of our products and we pride ourselves on packaging premium customer service along with the best brakes you can buy.  Still to this day, every Formula product is manufactured in Prato, Italy with love and passion.

Formula Oro K18 MTB Brake Spec Hightlights:

Weights – kit front standard (caliper-hose-M/C-fluid) – 239g; kit rear standard (caliper-hose-M/C-fluid) – 254g

Master Cylinder/Lever Specs and Features

• Two pieces master cylinder allows the lever to be removed without take off anything else from the bar
• Glossy finish for high profile look and improved wear resistance
• Flip Flop master cylinder allows lever to be mounted on either side of the bar
• Patented body, with integrated taper wall reservoir
• Parallel master cylinder with an 8 degree angle for aggressive bite
• High-resistance tube braided polyester
• X0 integrated clamp available as spare

Oro K18 Caliper

• Two opposed pistons in composite material
• Post mount brackets available for each size of disc (160 mm, 180 mm, 200 mm or 220mm)
• High friction coefficient semi metallic pad compound
• Easy pad removal system without removing the disc or caliper

Installation and Maintenance – Formula Oro K18

The Oro K18’s from Formula install just like any other hydraulic braking system for mountain bikes. You mount the lever, route the line and adjust the brakes easily due to the post mount design. The K18’s do have the added feature of rotatable banjo fittings at the caliper and the lever body. This makes routing the brake line much easier for a clean install…especially at the lever where you do not normally find banjo fittings on MTB disc brakes. I was able to angle the brake to the exact point it needed to be. The dual bolt clamp for the lever and the lower profile design made installation on any bike about as simple as it gets without getting in the way of any of the other components (especially remote mounted adjustable seatpost switches).

Bleeding the K18’s are done through the Formula Bleed Kit. The process is about as easy as any other braking system on the market if you follow these simple instructions. Pad changes are made quickly and easily through the top install design. Undo the bolt, slide it out, lift out the pads and reinstall. You do not have to remove the caliper or the wheel to change out the pads, but I would recommend readjusting everything after replacement.

Riding the Formula Oro K18 Disc Brakes

When you set your hands down on the bars and get ready to go to work, you put one finger forward and reach for the lever. Right away, you notice that this set of brakes feel little bit more solid than the competition. The lever provides a wider base than most brakes and this really makes it feel really stable for one finger braking. Reach adjust is controlled through a small bolt (master cylinder piston) located under the lever. By screwing this in and out, you bring the lever closer and farther away from the bars (exactly like the Juicy’s and other brakes on the market). I would make sure to get this setting dialed in before the ride as the design of the lever prevents you from making trailside reach adjustments with a multi-tool. You just can’t get it in there easily.

Modulation was incredible all the way through the stroke. There was not a single time while riding where I wasn’t sure when and where the braking power was going to come as I applied pressure to the lever. The braking was consistent and controlled. With simple feathering during high speed scrubs and slow technical riding, there was not an on/off feel with these brakes from Formula. There was a nice linear braking force that allowed me to really control the bike. Even during longer downhill runs, I didn’t notice any excessive heat or brake fade (usually caused by overheating). Everything just seemed to work as it was supposed to.

During the testing period, I ran everything from a 160mm rotor to the black powdercoated (not stock…done by a 3rd party) 203 rotors you see here. The 160’s or 180’s will probably suit most riders, but if you are looking for some extra power for those long DH runs, the 203’s matched with the K18’s provided some great braking force considering the size of these caliper pistons.

Noise while braking was pretty much kept at a minimum. Like most hydraulic disc brakes for mountain bikes, the Formula Oro K18 brakes started to make some howling/squeaking noises when wet, but once everything dried off…I was back to quiet controlled braking.

Without the bite adjustment, you will not be able to really dial these brakes in if you are very particular about how your brakes perform at different strokes. If you are a set and forget kind of rider that does not mess with that adjustment anyway…that will not be a missed feature.

Overall Thoughts On The Formula K18 Hydraulic Brakes

With the K18’s, you get a high quality disc brake for your mountain bike with the outward appearance of Italian craftsmanship. These particular brakes from Formula actually share a lot of characteristics with the Avid Juicy’s, but I found them to be more consistent with their power and modulation than the Juicy lineup. If you are the kind of rider that needs a set and forget brake and you are not worried about extra adjustments or being able to adjust the lever’s reach on the trail…these should fit the bill for your mountain bike. Riders that need more adjustment on and off the trail will want to look at another brake in the Formula lineup as these will limit their possibilities.

What I Liked About The K18’s

• Great power and modulation
• High quality feel and look
• Banjo fittings at caliper and lever make for easy install

What I Didn’t Like About The K18’s

• Can’t adjust reach with a multi-tool trailside
• No bite adjust

I did some searching around…click here to get the best price on the Formula K18’s.