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Shimano Hydraulic Disc Brakes, Levers Spotted in the Wild?

Written by Tyler Benedict
27 Comments
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prototype Shimano road bike hydraulic disc brakes spotted

Rabobank pro rider Michiel vd Heijden tweeted (and apparently quickly deleted) this image of his presumably prototype Giant TCX Cross bike adorned with what appear to be Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and levers.

While Shimano’s official comment is “no comment” for now, it looks very much like it could be a Dura-Ace level hydraulic road brake system, which is something we’ve heard rumor is coming. Based on appearances, the hood ends are barely if at all bulkier than standard Di2 levers, meaning the master cylinder is tucked inside the Di2 levers rather well. While the photo isn’t big enough to see details, you can make out the silver banjo leading into the calipers, indicating they are indeed hydraulic brakes. Rotors look like Shimano’s Ice Tech parts, but the wheels are blacked out, leaving us only to guess as to their true nature.

We find it quite entertaining to see this pop up on a Giant cross bike after being assured that they weren’t working on a disc brake cyclocross bike, but here it is.

Thanks to everyone that sent this in!
Tyler Benedict
11,282 articles

Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com, where he’s been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for almost two decades. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel and ride in new places.

Based in North Carolina, Tyler also loves the Vanlife & family adventure travel and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part and off-grid adventure.

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27 Comments
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ChadQuest
ChadQuest
11 years ago

<3

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Canucklehead
Canucklehead
11 years ago

That should be nice for new bikes, but something like the Spyre doesn’t require me to get new lever-shifters/etc.

What I really look forward to is that Shimano can push discs on road rims more, so we can see some long overdue changes.

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Marc Basiliere
Marc Basiliere
11 years ago

Could all of the IceTech heat management work Shimano’s been doing over the past couple of years be driven by the road side of things? In any case, they’re killing it as far as off-road discs go- looking forward to giving these a go.

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Steve
Steve
11 years ago

“We find it quite entertaining to see this pop up on a Giant road bike…” Isn’t that a cyclocross bike??

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Bazookasean
Bazookasean
11 years ago

I agree. looks like a cross bike with muddy cross tires.

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Tyler Benedict
Author
Tyler Benedict
11 years ago

Steve – Actually, it could be the TCX, good eye!

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Topmounter
Topmounter
11 years ago

That looks like a city, not the wild.

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Zach
Zach
11 years ago

TCX….look at the size of the chainrings. Oh, and the knobbie tires?

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Rob
Rob
11 years ago

good post! it definitely looks like a cross bike–check out the chainstays with what appear to be a place for canti studs. Also, these tires look very crossy–like dugast 32 or 33 written on the sidewall? also, this dude appears to ride for the giant mtn bike team? Also, if this was a proto road bike for Blanco, wouldn’t it NOT have Rabobank on it? Also, the chainring spread is pretty tight… Could be a spring-classics special now that i think about it.

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SL
SL
11 years ago

Definitely looks like a cyclocross bike to me. Still, nice find.

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Bk
Bk
11 years ago

I’ll start reading bike rumor again when they can distinguish a cross bike from a road bike…

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Rich W.
Rich W.
11 years ago

Isn’t the point of the article that Shimano has integrated hydraulic disc brakes into STI levers? Does it really matter, then, whether it is on a road bike or cross bike? Jeez, people, lighten up.

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Gillis
Gillis
11 years ago

I see what look like brake post stubs on the seat stay.

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DerHoggz
DerHoggz
11 years ago

Biggest clue is the mountain pedals.

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Atganirider
Atganirider
11 years ago

Slam the stem, then mount the levers high up. Finally, rotate the bars skywards…

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Bog
Bog
11 years ago

That’s definitely a TCX Advanced frame – no doubt about it.

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Rob
Rob
11 years ago

@atganirider… exactly spot on. and for the final touch–never ever ride in the drops. do your entire race on the hoods, only touching bar tape when dismounting and remounting

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pmurf
pmurf
11 years ago

@Atganirider a lot of pro riders spend the majority of their time on the hoods. Many pro setups look a lot like that, despite the unorthodox bar/lever positioning.

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Ergo rider
Ergo rider
11 years ago

So if CX riders don’t use drops, then why aren’t they using straight bars? Oh, that’s right, they’re outlawed. Why??? Tradition? They won’t LOOK like REAL bicycles? Why does the shape of a handlebar matter anyway? Do riders having better control/braking disturb the sanctity of CX?

If they were allowed the transition to disc brakes would have happened years ago. Even with hydraulic brakes the amount of force that can be exerted from the hoods is only a fraction of that with a straight bar-lever configuration.

Hydraulics for the road are a long overdue, but are still compromised ergonomically with road levers.

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MaLóL
MaLóL
11 years ago

jesus…

well, it has ciclo cross tires, and even bosses for cantilever brakes on the seat stays. I’m sure it-s a track bike.

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Ck
Ck
11 years ago

Cross riders use the drops all the time.

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Frank
Frank
11 years ago

That is a TXC.

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animallover
animallover
11 years ago

Its a deer…with a huge rack of antlers

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moskowe
moskowe
11 years ago

Someone needs glasses.

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bc
bc
11 years ago

Please just fix the description of the bike now, so these idiots can stop correcting it and we can talk about something else.

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Question
Question
11 years ago

What hoops are on this bike?

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Andy
Andy
11 years ago

Since this is a rabobank bike it’s plausible its a TCX set up for the spring classics.

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