Like TRP’s progression from the Parabox to HYRD, the new Ashima PCD looks like a much, much better mechanical-to-hydraulic disc brake conversion than the Hydromech they showed off last year.
The caliper body is forged and CNC’d from aluminum and uses a side-mounted piston to push mineral oil behind pads on either side of the rotor. The lever plunging the piston into the master cylinder is pulled by cable, allowing it to retrofit to any standard brake lever. They’re recommending it’s use with a minimum size of 160mm rotors, but rating it for road, cyclocross and XC mountain biking. Stop in past the break for details and pics…
Two adjustments are available – the cable barrel adjuster…
…and the knob behind the lever. As with TRP’s HYRD, we’re guessing cable tension is extremely important with regards to getting enough power out of these brakes, so the lever adjustment likely adjusts the lever backward until the cable is taut. That’s our guess anyway, since there was a bit of a language barrier at the booth, but it’s important to note that you want the cable tight with the lever fully extended so the internals can fully open and close past the timing port inside the master cylinder. Otherwise, your brakes may not work.
Ashima’s saying the PCD’s provide plenty of braking power without a “strong” braking feel, which roughly translates to mean they’re not grabby but’ll still bring you to a standstill.
Retail is around $200 per set (two wheels) and they ship with a 160mm rotor and XTR organic brake pads. Claimed weight is 142g per caliper. They’re also available in red ano.
