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OutBraker inline booster adjusts your road, mountain bike hydraulic disc brake power

outbraker inline hydraulic disc brake power booster for road bikes
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The new OutBraker Brake Power Booster is a clever, adjustable inline reservoir that gives you more control over your hydraulic disc brake’s power. Perhaps even more useful, it also gives you the ability to adjust the pad contact point.

And, they say, it’s a universal fit and will work on any brand of brake, for road and mountain bike brakes. Here’s how it works…

The Brake Power Booster is a secondary reservoir that’s added inline on your hydraulic disc brake system. For mountain bikes, it’s added just behind the lever. For road bikes, it’s added just above the caliper. Both function the same way.

how does the outbraker hydraulic disc brake power booster work

It works by giving you the ability to adjust the amount of fluid that’s actually inside the hose at any given point. Twist the adjustment knob one way and it reduces the size of its reservoir and pushes more fluid into the hose, thus moving the pads closer to the rotor and, presumably, adding more power because you’ll have more lever to pull and really clamp down on the rotor.

Twist it the other way and it holds more fluid so there’s less in the hose, and you’ll have to pull more lever to squeeze the pads as hard.

We see the benefit coming more in the ability to adjust your pad contact point. This could let you really dial in the lever feel, and potentially increase leverage over the last bit of the braking point before it simply locks up and skids the wheel. It’s also a great way to adjust for pad wear, even those most high quality hydraulic disc brakes use a lip seal that does this automatically.

What’s the difference between Pad Contact and Free Stroke?

outbraker inline hydraulic mountain bike disc brake power adapter lets you adjust the pad contact bite point

Remember when you brakes were cable actuated and you could dial in that barrel adjuster to move the pads closer to or further from the rim or rotor? That’s what the OutBraker Power Booster does. By adjusting the size of its auxiliary reservoir, it’s either adding or subtracting fluid from the actual brake hose. If it’s adding fluid, the pads will be pushed closer to the brake rotor, and vice versa.

Free Stroke, which some higher end brake levers have, simply adjusts the valve’s closure point within the lever’s master cylinder. By moving it farther from the master cylinder’s port, it lets you pull more lever before it closes the circuit and starts pushing fluid down the hose toward the caliper. So, if you (for some strange reason) like the brake lever to move without actually doing anything, then find one (like the Shimano XTR levers shown here) that offers Free Stroke adjustment.

Outbraker Brake Power Booster specs

outbraker inline hydraulic disc brake power booster for road bikes and mountain bikes

The part is made out of aluminum and steel and works with Shimano, SRAM, Magura, Tektro, Formula (2nd edition only) and Hope (Pro edition only) brakes. They say the boost range is up to 180% of the original power. Claimed weight is just 22g. Retail is $179, available now on their website. From the looks of it, this one replaces the prior model with the red adjustment knob as that one’s showing as both discounted and out of stock.

outbraker inline hydraulic disc brake power booster for road bikes

This isn’t their first hydraulic brake power adjuster, but it’s definitely much sleeker than the original, and now it works with drop bar brakes, too. Outbraker also makes dual hose adapters, letting you work both brakes from a single lever (great for folks with special needs), as well as inline anti-lock braking systems.

Outbraker.com

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47 Comments
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JR
JR
3 years ago

Please don’t use these on your open system disc brakes. It over fills the system, rendering the reservoir useless to manage heat and fluid expansion. Bad for the brake and the rider.

Josh
Josh
3 years ago

Changing the volume of the hose does literally nothing to change the leverage ratio of a hydraulic system. All this does is push the pads closer to the rim, which has zero effect on actual braking power. I mean, you can accomplish the same thing by taking out the wheel and putting a slightly thinner spacer between the pads and grabbing the brakes. There, I just saved you $360 and your friends that know anything about hydraulics won’t mock you relentlessly.

Stephen Gaucher
Stephen Gaucher
3 years ago
Reply to  Josh

This is demonstrably true because bikes don’t have different power based on how long you cut the hoses.

Josh
Josh
3 years ago

This guy gets it.

Greg
Greg
3 years ago

Great. You can have the dial all the way out, install and bleed the system, turn the dial all the way in, and blow a hole in your formerly-functional reservoir bladder.
They suggest it’s to compensate for when your pads are worn. The open system should self adjust. If it doesn’t, most likely your caliper pistons are dry and over-retracting. Move the pistons around and they’re fixed. No stupid dial.
At first I thought this was going to be like Formula’s bite point adjuster (which I think is dumb but at least it does what it’s supposed to). Nope.
This thing is terrible.

carbonfodder
carbonfodder
3 years ago
Reply to  Greg

…but it’s expensive and looks neat. “Look folks, I got a dial thing on my brakes!” . I’d pay up to 89 cents for such a thing. Maybe even go all the way to a buck.

Steve Han
Steve Han
3 years ago

Terrible scam technology…. in my opinion. I don’t see how this device can boost braking power 180%. 100% of any hydraulic brake is more than enough braking power already anyway. It may change the pad position but that does not change braking modulation. It only changes when the brake will start to engage, at best.

bmx
bmx
3 years ago

it changes the amount of fluid in the line. jesus that’s impressive, so it can create a vacuum of some sort . this is such BS

Phil Rodeo
Phil Rodeo
3 years ago

It won’t even adjust the pad contact point, will it? Except if the original reservoir is filled up all the way, it will just fill that one up and the pads won’t be moving at all. It’s really crazy someone is actually trying to sell this and even more so bikerumor is presenting it like a functional device.

Wally
Wally
3 years ago

I fully agree with previous comments. Bikerumor is a much used source for information for lots of bike enthusiasts. Wouldn’t it be fair to add some form of a “fact checker” to articles like this?
Look at dcrainmaker. He does a similar thing in an always respectful manner. Wouldn’t it be fair to call this what it is, without being insulting? Technically senseless and expensive without any form of added value?

gibbon
gibbon
3 years ago

No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No.
That you legitimise this BS is beyond embarrassing.Yes you are desperate for content but really? Try and exercise some editorial integrity.

Ian
Ian
3 years ago

Here’s an idea… buy a set of brakes with contact adjustment already built in… like, for example, Sram Guide RSC’s (which work great!)

Greg S
Greg S
3 years ago

Inline Hydrologic Brake Contact Adjuster. There, fixed the title… When my pads became worn, I would just pressurize the system with my bleed syringe.

Greg S
Greg S
3 years ago
Reply to  Tyler Benedict

Thanks for your quick reply and great information. I also read the follow up and get it. Happy trails !!

Josh
Josh
3 years ago
Reply to  Tyler Benedict

Why cover it? Clicks = dollars. We get it, you run a business and don’t begrudge you that. But your response makes it clear this thing is a bodge. You seem to have no lack of content. Covering this garbage is beneath you.

FromHell
FromHell
3 years ago
Reply to  Josh

Seriously, what else do you expect? BikeRumor is not a subscription content service, as such they are dependent on clicks. In addition, let’s go back a few steps. What is the title of this bike related news website… BikeRumor!… This news outlet does what it says: it centers around bike related rumors, with everything that involves. This is what it does, this is why we come here to read, and nothing else is promised – and as such nothing else can reasonably be expected. If a product (a) has the potential to generate clicks, and (b) is part of the grapevine; then it qualifies for the website. Don’t blame BikeRumor for failing to live up to YOUR expectations.

For the record I’m a happy reader. I think they do an excellent job considering I’m not paying for the content expect with my time looking at their advertisements. I have no complaints. If I don’t like what they write and do, then I move on to another news outlet. Simple as that. 🙂

gibbon
gibbon
3 years ago

Remaining credibility evaporates……………………………………………….

TimE
TimE
3 years ago

so basically its a ridiculously expensive bite point adjuster…….. There should be a law against selling things for what they are not

Andy
Andy
3 years ago

Absolutely insane that bikerumor pushes this as newsworthy, shame on you for spreading this scam.

You should retract and apologize to your readers, this is dumb like a bag of rocks.

gibbon
gibbon
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Mr. Benedict, what you’ve just written is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever read. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone on this site is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Josh
Josh
3 years ago
Reply to  gibbon

And today’s Billy Madison award for critical writing goes to…

GetALife
GetALife
3 years ago

Man, and I thought politics was inflammatory these days…
This is an awesome product out there for people that only like to geek out and tweak things and constantly feel the need to adjust the lever throw, i.e. myself. I really don’t care if I damage the brake by over filling the system… I’ll just go buy a new one.
Take a chill pill and realize the cycling and mtbing are creative and stress reducing outlets for the vast majority of people, and getting all worked up about what Bikerumor things is news worthy is a waste of time.

Fabricio
Fabricio
3 years ago

What about buying a pair of SRAM RSC or top of the line Magura or Hayes??? the only companies missing these benefits from the design table are Shimano and TRP

gibbon
gibbon
3 years ago
Reply to  Fabricio

Shimano has free free stroke adjustment on xt/xtr. It does bugger all, but they have it.
https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/technologies/component/details/free-stroke.html

Sam Good
Sam Good
3 years ago

Was desperate to comment on this but it seems everyone has come to the same conclusion, it’s total rubbish, how can it work…. If your able to push the pistons back when you change the brake pads then the master cylinder has the ability to absorb excess fluid in the system…. Rendering this totally useless surely

Greg
Greg
3 years ago

Here’s how to write the article:
“New product from so-and-so, claiming to be a power booster for your brakes. We’re not entirely sure how it’s supposed to work. Based on the diagrams and presentation, it’s an adjustable fluid reservoir inline with the hose. That seems to us like it will only adjust the volume of fluid in the master cylinder reservoir, nothing more. We’ve reached out to the manufacturer for clarification. Stay tuned.”

Cheese
Cheese
3 years ago
Reply to  Greg

That kind of attitude won’t win you new advertisers, Greg. (But that’s exactly how snake oil should be handled.)

Josh
Josh
3 years ago
Reply to  Greg

That presupposes an an ability to parse the mechanics of a product outside of reading and rehashing the press release. I don’t see a lot of that here.

gibbon
gibbon
3 years ago

It does’nt go to 11…………..I’m out.

Tom
Tom
3 years ago

Jeez, what a load of hand wringing here. OK, it doesn’t really offer much in the way of benefits, while also introducing some drawbacks. We get it. You’d think this thing causes pedophilia, based on some of the comments.

AK_Ben
AK_Ben
3 years ago
Reply to  Tom

Well put. Whoooole lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth here.

Dave
Dave
3 years ago

Is this “covering” something Tyler or just regurgitating a PR person’s marketing spin?
Why bury your take on it down in the comments instead of as the footnote in the article…. And you do in your comment call it an article not a marketing media release.

Al
Al
3 years ago

Chill out folks, this isn’t worth the vitriol you’re spewing. Is everyone in riot mindset or what? I appreciate the content that BikeRumor shares even though some of the products will be hits and some misses. Chime in when you have helpful perspectives, but be nice. We all get saturated with political nastiness these days but I hope we can keep cycling healthy, friendly, and fun.

Jazz
Jazz
3 years ago

The world of physics must have changed. As far as I knew the majority of most fluids were not compressible. All this trinket does is pre-pressurize the line and coincidentally in the same breath tweak the travel for you.
I am sure that it does work and the system can take it just be ready for that quick bite now that all the slop of the system has been removed. But then again adding pressure to a relaxed and static system is usually not a good thing for the rest of the components.

Robin
Robin
3 years ago
Reply to  Jazz

You’d be wrong if you assumed that most fluids aren’t compressible. You might want to read the wikipedia article on Bulk Modulus.

thesteve4761
thesteve4761
3 years ago

Step away from the keyboard.

Jim Kimahni
Jim Kimahni
3 years ago

Hey, if you’re willing to spend a buck, you could just glue a Reece’s cup to your brake lever.

El Pataron
El Pataron
3 years ago

Holy hell. I was just telling my wife how I wasn’t going to read the news until at least September…. anger is infectious and has infected everything. Good grief. Who cares? To have enough time to get that worked up about a brake lever…. ooof. Wish I had your time, fellas!

Phil Rodeo
Phil Rodeo
3 years ago

Can you explain how this will let you adjust the bite point in an open system, i.e. with a reservoir? As soon as I let go of the lever, the reservoir is connected to my brake line. this means that the fluid pushed into the line will primarily fill up the Reservoir. The only way this might work is if i push the lever in while adjusting the new system, then hope the reflux generated by the lever will not return the pistons to the initial position but slightly further in. This would be really unprecise and difficult to set up.

ed llorca
ed llorca
3 years ago

What a scam. It does not boost your power at all. It does not do anything at all in open systems. Come on Bike rumor, protect you reputation but keeping utter crap like this off your pages.

Dominic
Dominic
3 years ago

I think the point is that you can “tighten” the system up after you’ve bled it.
I’m not sure i’d really want to ever run my pads Closer than default, but, that’s what this allows you to do.

Dominic
Dominic
3 years ago

I just wish they’d drop the godawful puns for good. I’d click on way more articles if i wasn’t so repulsed by the headlines.

Dominic
Dominic
3 years ago

And Saint. I should know. I adjust it twice a ride these days. The knee in the ServoWave track is right on the threshold of where I like my adjustment, so it takes almost nothing for the adjustment to migrate either side.

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