SEA OTTER CLASSIC 2010 – Unveiled prior to the Otter, this was the first hands-on we’ve had with TRP’s relatively new Dash hydraulic disc brakes, and we got a first look at their new miniature v-brakes intended for cyclocross bikes that are designed to work with road levers.
The Dash mountain bike brakes come in two trim levels, the Dash and the Dash Carbon, the latter getting not just a carbon lever blade and composite pistons, but the Power Adjust barrel that lets you change the leverage point for the plunger. The effect is about a 20% swing from more power to more modulation, and it’s a rather clever way to do it. Both models have the tool-free reach adjust, which is the flatter knob with the rubber grip ring.
Make the jump for more specs, pricing and the ‘cross v-brakes…
Other than the carbon lever and Power Adjust, the brakesets are the same. Both use a two-piston, one-piece caliper with top-loading pads held in place with a rod and cotter pin. Both use 20.9mm pistons with semi-metallic pads, and you get a lightweight composite piston on the Dash Carbon. They have a swiveling banjo to ease installation and hose routing.
Weight for the Dash Carbon is 320g (front, post mount, 160mm rotor), which is competitive but not earth shattering. The rotors, though, are pretty darn light at just 85g for a 160mm.
The base Dash uses an alloy lever with only the reach adjust knob, but only a slight increase in weight (334g for front w/ 160mm rotor). By upgrading to the Dash Carbon, you can fine tune the brake feel between front and rear and riding conditions…and, if you get a lot of pad wear on a particularly nasty ride, you can dial up the power to help you stop better until you can swap pads.
The levers attach via a hinged clamp, making swaps easy since you don’t have to remove grips or shifters. MSRP for the Dash is $229, and $299 for the Dash Carbon.
For cyclocross riders or those that just like to run jerry-rigged v-brakes on their road bikes (I’m looking at you, Tim), TRP’s new CX9 Cyclocross Brake is a miniature version that works with standard road levers. They’re short 95mm forged, CNC’d aluminum arms with Ti hardware and weigh in at just 148g/wheel. MSRP is $140 / set (front & rear).
