Click that pic to see it full size you’ll notice something a bit off. It took us a few seconds to fully appreciate the hack.
See it? Yep, that’s the new TRP Hylex hydraulic disc brakes that are intended for singlespeed bikes mated to a Retroshift friction shifter, providing a geared setup and modern brakes for a fraction of what a dedicated SRAM or Shimano system would cost. Especially if you mate it to their BURD rear derailleur.
Nick’s been reviewing the Retroshift and likes it. And those brakes felt really good at Interbike’s outdoor demo.
Retroshift’s founder Adam Clement told us he’s been talking to TRP about it for a while, just been too busy to make it happen. He says it “requires brake lever disassembly, fixturing, drilling, etc.” This prototype’s been a work in progress for a while, with this bike being built up by Sellwood Cycles, and will be raced this weekend. Plans are to make it a stock offering for 2014.