MTB Guru Keith Bontrager has a famous saying: "STRONG, LIGHT, CHEAP—PICK TWO," this theorem basically summarizes the qualities you can find in any one MTB part (or frame). It's held true for quite a while. But we may have found something that has all these three qualities. OK, substitute CHEAP with AFFORDABLE, and you know what we mean.

Hygia designs and manufactures brakes that tick all the boxes in terms of weight, price and performance. We're giddy with excitement as these brakes will be landing on our shores soon, and they'll be in All Terra and Gran Trail soon after that. We've been testing them for more than a month now and so far they haven't disappointed us. We're sure they won't let you down as well and you will be pleasantly surprised as to their performance. Did we mention they're lighter than other similarly-priced and more affordable than other similarly-spec'd brands?


Let's take a closer look at one of Hygia's offerings. The Usagi.

HYGIA USAGI
The Usagi is billed as Hygia's XC brake, and that very much it is, offering a good combo of modulation and power in a svelte package. You can dial tool-free, with the red knobs and pad contact can also be tweaked with an allen key. The brakes use DOT and we've spec'd them with stainless steel braided lines, so no need for aftermarket hop-ups there. The levers are designed to be used by one or two fingers, and give very good tactile feedback without being overly firm. 

Weight for the front is around 320g with SS lines, and 335g for the rear also with SS lines.