Over the weekend at the DH World Cup we spotted a set of next generation 4-piston brakes from TRP on the race-winning bike of Aaron Gwin. The new brakes look to borrow heavily from the layout of the existing Quadiem SL, but with a caliper body that is even more trimmed down and opened up for what looks likely to offer a lighter setup with improved cooling. Although the brakeset looked very refined, it was clearly a prototype and devoid of any branding on the caliper itself. Gwin had only one set of the brakes set up to ride, with his B bike built with current Quadiem SL’s and his custom lever blades. Take a closer look below the fold…
The prototype 4-pot brakes use the same architecture as the current Quadiem SL, but it looks like the forged two-piece body then gets machined down to reduce weight. Additionally a series of grooves are machined in that could likely aid in cooling. A good bit of material is removed off of the top of the brake and the window to the pads opened up as well, also likely to improve cooling and shave weight.
On the lever side, the prototype brakes were attached to a standard pair of TRP Quadiem SL lever bodies that even kept the stock logos. Gwin prefers a longer flatter brake lever though, so his Quadiem SLs drop the stock two-finger carbon lever and replace it with a custom machined alloy one. The replacement lever is actually available now from TRP for those who want to get the same feel at the World Cup leader. TRP takes the longer straighter alloy lever from their Slate XC brake and machines it to fit the Quadiem bodies. The levers get a dimpled outer to give plenty of easy grip in the mix of conditions a DH pro is going to encounter.
Gwin’s back up bike was built with current TRP Quadiem SL brakes, and his own signature lever upgrade kit.
