TRP has just shown two new disc brake calipers, and both are quite exciting and interesting. Above is the Hy/Rd, a cable actuated hydraulic disc brake caliper. The hybrid design lets you run standard cables all the way from the lever to the brake, which should make installation on internally routed frames a cinch while still (theoretically) providing the power and modulation of a hydraulic brake. And if you’re already running mechanical discs, it’s pretty much a drop ‘n’ swap operation.
It works by putting the master cylinder directly on the caliper body, letting the cable pull a lever connected to the plunger. We really like the inline barrel adjuster, too. Overall, it looks like a much more user friendly option compared to their Parabox while still letting you run whichever drivetrain group you currently have.
More details on this, plus a dual-pull mechanical caliper, below…
One particularly interesting feature is the knob/button on the top – it appears to be a push-lock type button, presumably to prevent the brakes from being activated while the wheel is removed. If so, it’s a brilliant little safety measure.
UPDATE: Here’s what that button really does, per TRP’s PR man Lance Larrabee: “The lock is designed to hold the lever arm in place while you tension the cable to make certain the lever arm can fully return so that the oil can refill in front of piston.” Presumably, you could also use it to keep the pads from squeezing in, as was our original assumption.
Colors look to be matte black and polished silver. One concern we have is heat build up since the master cylinder is directly next to the caliper, which means no extra fluid volume or hose length to help dissipate heat. For cyclocross or commuter bikes, shouldn’t be a problem, and if it works with cable pull ratios for both drop and flat bar levers, they could have a winner on their hands. TRP’s being fairly mum on specifics for now, the official launch is at Sea Otter but we’re trying to line up a test pair before hand.
Perhaps just as exciting is the new Spyre dual pull mechanical disc brake. Using a lever that rotates around bolts on both sides of the caliper and pushes both pads simultaneously and evenly, we expect it’ll have smooth action and a comparatively powerful feel.
Presumably this is also aimed at the road/cyclocross crowd, meaning the leverage ratio might be designed around a drop bar lever’s cable pull. For the uninitiated, having both pads move inward means easier set up and the ability to have a little more space between the pads and rotor when unengaged. It also means one pad isn’t bending the rotor as it pushes it into the static pad like on current calipers like Avid BB7 and Hayes CX5, among others.
Perhaps the best part about this one is that they’ve managed to double the movement while making one of the smallest, sleekest mech calipers we’ve seen!
The design of both this and the Hyro mean pads are bottom loading, which requires wheel removal, but really, how often are you changing pads?
If all this talk of disc brakes on your ‘cross rig is heresy, TRP’s still developing their high end cantilever brake line, too. The latest Revox are offered in carbon fiber and alloy and were introduced at Eurobike.
All photos courtesy of the fine folks at Road.cc, who are covering plenty more new stuff at Core Bike this week. Check their first round up post here!
