Brembo x Specialized Gravity: A New Era of MTB Braking Begins

Two icons of performance and innovation are joining forces on the most demanding trails in mountain biking: Brembo has officially entered the MTB scene through a partnership with the Specialized Gravity Team.

“Specialized strongly believes that racing is the ultimate testing ground for innovation,”

“We look for partners who can meet our same performance standards, and Brembo’s history, marked by cutting-edge technological advances and high-level performance in racing, led us to this choice. This collaboration represents a strategic investment to support our athletes who compete at the highest level. Downhill racing is constantly evolving, and this partnership ensures the ability to continue delivering innovations that allow Specialized to keep competing for a great future in the sport.” said Armin Landgraf, CEO of Specialized.

“Officially entering the cycling world through the front door of the MTB World Championship is an exciting new challenge for Brembo. We are proud to do so with a team and a manufacturer that share our same vision of performance and innovation, and it is no coincidence that this happens in the year of Brembo's 50th anniversary in motorsports,” said Andrea Paganessi, Brembo Motorcycle Global Chief Operating Officer.

For the first time, Brembo (renowned for its dominance in motorsports braking) becomes a key player in the UCI Downhill World Cup, partnering with one of the sport’s most prestigious teams, Specialized Gravity. This move marks a significant expansion for Brembo as it brings its elite braking expertise from motor racing into the world of mountain bike competition.

At the core of this collaboration lies a shared ambition: pushing the limits of performance through relentless innovation. Brembo and Specialized are united by values such as technical excellence, a passion for competition, and a commitment to evolving what's possible on the world’s most extreme terrain.

“Today we can say that thanks to technological advances, Brembo has not simply improved braking, but has revolutionized it.”

This partnership is just the beginning of Brembo’s journey in MTB, as it sets out to redefine braking standards in the sport, combining Italian engineering with the demands of elite off-road racing.

The new system developed for Specialized Gravity is purpose-built for high-performance downhill riding. It features both front and rear brake assemblies with an advanced axial master cylinder offering three key adjustments: reach, free stroke, and a unique center-to-center tuning that allows riders to fine-tune lever ergonomics and brake feel with unprecedented precision.

Each master cylinder is connected to a four-piston post-mount caliper via a braided steel hose, ensuring firm and consistent lever feedback. The caliper itself houses isolated 18mm aluminum pistons designed for optimal heat management and stopping power.

Rounding out the system is a fixed 2.3 mm thick brake rotor, specifically engineered to match the caliper and deliver superior thermal performance under the extreme loads typical of World Cup-level racing. The rotor’s widened contact band further enhances heat dissipation and consistent braking response.