September 4th, 2009 by 
Brian Mullin
Bottom Line
The Mags are a highly engineered German marvel, they have excellent modulation, good power, are lightweight and are gorgeous looking. If bleeding is required the new EBT system is much easier to use.
They can be slightly susceptible to some fade on extremely long, and steep downhills, but larger rotors help alleviate much of that issue. I liked the feel of the brake, but some may find it to firm, and the reach adjustment is difficult. I do wish they had released a full magnesium set!
The newly upgraded Marta is a huge step forward, and the Mag version tweak is another sweet brake from Magura!
Strengths
-Lightweight
-Excellent modulation
-Good power
-Gorgeous
Weaknesses
-Slightly susceptible to fade
-Firm feel
-Reach adjustment difficult
-Not fully magnesium
-No split clamp system
MSRP: $368
Value Rating: 3.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers 
Overall Rating: 4.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers 
Marta SL Magnesium url: http://www.magura.com/en/products/disc-brakes-2009/prod/marta-sl-magnesium-1.html
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:27 am
Hi Brian, do you know the thickness of the Ashima rotors? Thanks
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Last I measured them they were 2.0mm, same as the Magura’s
September 29th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Brian, would you recommend using the Magura Endurance or Performance brake pads with these rotors?
September 29th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Performance
September 30th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Bryan, in the article you said that “the power difference between the 2008 to 2009 is significant, although it still doesn’t approach the power of some of its competitors.” Who are the magura´s brake competitors who have more power modulation ?
October 1st, 2009 at 1:58 pm
I was only speaking about power, not modulation. I think the Hayes and Formula brakes have a bit more power, I like the modulation is better on the Magura’s (for my tastes). I haven’t used Avid nor Shimano in long time, so can’t comment on them
October 1st, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Why all the Mg when your weighting the whole lot down with Steel bolts? F’in daft!