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EB13: Ashima Hydromech Mech-to-Hydro Disc Brake Converter, Metal-Free Cable Housing & More

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Ashima-Hydromech-mechanical-to-hydraulic-disc-brake-converter

Ashima’s HydroMech cable-to-hydraulic brake adapter comes in at just 80g for the converter unit. And while we think demand for such things is likely to wane with the complete hydro groups from SRAM & Shimano finally real, this one does introduce some pretty cool tech to the brake world.

It’s visibly smaller than other converters, and how designer Wayne Moore pulled off the miniscule design is what makes it special. The reservoir is in the flat part on the top. The cable comes in from the front and pulls a dual stage piston that transitions from massive pad movement to fine control. Curious? Check out the cutaways below…

Ashima-Hydromech-mechanical-to-hydraulic-disc-brake-converter

The unit, shown upside down here, uses their external tubes to push fluid from the master cylinder to the hoses.

Ashima-Hydromech-mechanical-to-hydraulic-disc-brake-converter

On this cutaway (above), the cable would pull from right to left. Note the stepped walls inside the cylinder.

Ashima-Hydromech-mechanical-to-hydraulic-disc-brake-converter

It’s flipped here, and the left image shows the first stage where a larger piston pushes a lot of fluid to quickly bring the pads onto the rotor. On the right, the smaller secondary piston pushes a less fluid to give you control over the brake force.

It’ll ship as a standalone piece if you want to use your own hydraulic calipers, and it’ll work with any brake fluid.

Ashima-Pathfinder-hydraulic-disc-brake-caliper

It’ll also ship as a complete system with their new Pathfinder calipers, which use a more traditional piston mechanism rather than their pistonless PCB brakes. Designer Wayne Moore says its the same weight and keeps their external fluid tube that helps cool the fluid. Available in March, retail TBD.

Ashima-NoMet-nylon-shifter-plasma-coated-cable-housing

Other fun stuff: NoMet cable housing uses a POM nylon extrusion instead of metal (No Metal, get it?), and they say it’s 65% lighter than normal cable housing. It’s only for shift cables now, and they have new plasma coated slick cables to go in them.

Ashima-Flo-Tor-floating-brake-rotor-finned-brake-pad

New Flo-Tor floating rotor now comes in three rotor shapes, this one (red) has the biggest surface area and comes in at just 98g for a 160mm.

They have a new Iso Thermal finned brake pad that also has a heat shield built onto the backside to block heat from getting into the caliper. They won’t say what the material is, but did say it can go to 1,000°C, is lighter than aluminum and has the thermal conduction of air. They’ll launch in March with Shimano sizes and comes in at about half the weight (10.2g per pair) of IceTech pads. Pad material will be sintered metallic. Retail TBD.

Their CenterLock to 6-bolt adapter gets a second lock ring option (black) that uses a standard external BB tool.

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ah
ah
11 years ago

Thermal conduction of air is very very low, that’s why we use it as insulation?!?!?

Dr. Monkeypants
Dr. Monkeypants
11 years ago

“…lighter than aluminum and has the thermal conduction of air.”

Soooo, at roughly 1/10,000th the conductivity of aluminum, that would be essentially none? Sounds almost plausible. Almost.

Dr. Monkeypants
Dr. Monkeypants
11 years ago

@ah – you beat me to it!

Bogey
Bogey
11 years ago

@ah and @Dr.M, they are using it as insulation just as stated. Missing something?

Mtbmarkp
Mtbmarkp
11 years ago

Um that’s the point guys it not the backing plate material with the fins it’s an additional layer behind that. It’s to keep the heat from radiating from the backing plate to the piston, it’s all quite clear if you take second to read it carefully.

Kark
Kark
11 years ago

This post puts a spotlight on what is some seriously slick solutions to real challenges and 3/4 of the posts are some lame attempt to slag off a fairly simple detail of the brake pad.

..that is correctly identified in the fourth post as an error in comprehension on the first three posters.

and in case the first three still haven’t figured it out, the backing pad is intended to impede heat transfer to the caliper. (because that is a good thing)

Sheesh!

Sam
Sam
11 years ago

C’mon guys, some people just don’t get physics. ;D

Culpritbicycles
11 years ago

Beautiful System

I cannot wait to be test riding these as the unit assembled is on my bike. Will update this comment section after a few rides on the system. Well Done Ashima. They have also done an amazing job working with me on the disc brakes for the Culprit Legend Triathlon bike with disc brakes

Mindless
Mindless
11 years ago

Abomination.

Just do real stuff already.

Harry
Harry
11 years ago

No bike shop will want to touch this.

NASH
NASH
11 years ago

Iam going to see this hooked up to a old school bmx Rotor for the ultimate in complicated braking, maybe even have those TT style hydro brakes with Vans style brake shoes for some extra fun.

PaulM
11 years ago

Biggest problem with running a converter is you can’t have a slammed stem…

MissedThePoint
MissedThePoint
11 years ago

I’d be giving it odd looks if I saw that converter on a bike. Not very pleasing to the eyes. Any more elegant solutions?

That Token QR looks pretty cool.

Erik
Erik
11 years ago

So what magical seal material are they using that is compatible with both mineral oil and glycol ether?

Henrik
Henrik
11 years ago

You know, I can respect what they are trying to achieve here, but it looks like a total shit show. Another year or so, and there will be no more conversion stuff.

2finger
2finger
11 years ago

It would solve one problem for some of us, ability to run cross top levers with hydro brakes. While my old BB7’s have worked well I’m curious about hydro brakes on my cross bike, but I must have my secondary lever position for riding trails

Sherm
Sherm
11 years ago

Now they’ve made it small enough, just put the thing inside the stem!

I can’t be the only one thinking this!

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