Faster braking with the TRP DH-R Evo

It was 2006 when the Taiwanese company Tektro launched its high-end brand TRP (Tektro Racing Products). With currently over 1200 employees in Taiwan and China, the manufacturer can already look back on a 34-year history. Tektro brakes can be found on almost all entry-level bikes from the major bicycle manufacturers. With the TRP brand, however, Tektro is pursuing a more sporty approach, as demonstrated, for example, by the signing of downhill superstar Aaron Gwin.

The brand's figurehead has already been riding successfully on TRP brakes for several years. Last year, the brake specialist surprised us with an expansion of the product range. The TRP DH7 was the first derailleur from the Taiwanese company. The special downhill drivetrain with seven gears was also used by Aaron Gwin.

TRP DH-R Evo: Everything new with the four-piston MTB brake

The new Evo brakes, which have been revised in every respect, aim to compete with the rather tame previous version (Test in BIKE 5/2019) no longer have much in common apart from certain visual similarities. The diameter of the master piston in the hand lever has been reduced by one millimetre to 9 millimetres, which increases the hydraulic transmission ratio by a good 10 % and should boost the braking power to top level. As far as we know, only Trickstuff uses a small 9-millimetre master piston to squeeze the maximum braking power out of their brakes. The other manufacturers use at least 10 millimetre thick master pistons.

The increased gear ratio with an improved pad compound (organic) should ensure massively increased braking power and less fading, while the currently thickest large series brake discs for bicycles take over the further transmission of power to the wheel. The 2.3 millimetre thick discs are a full 0.5 millimetres thicker than normal standard discs. They have already proven on the BIKE test bench that they remain unimpressed by the heat of battle even under full load. Wear markers indicate when a change is due. The brake discs are one-piece and available for six-hole mounts with a diameter of up to 223 millimetres. A two-piece centre lock version with aluminium spider is available up to 203 millimetres.

The ergonomics of the long levers have also been revised, the dimensional accuracy of the brake calliper adapters improved, the brake line diameter reduced to 5 millimetres (no longer compatible with older lines), a new mineral oil filled in that can withstand temperatures of up to 230 °C and - last but not least - the inner workings tidied up so that the bleeding process is now ten times faster than before.

At the presentation, we were told a semi-secret anecdote from the professional racing circus. Allegedly, the World Cup mechanic of a professional team spent a tough 30 minutes using all his craftsmanship to completely deflate the old DH-R brake for racing. The new Evo brake was deflated after three (!) minutes and ready for the hard manoeuvres of prominent TRP athletes Aaron Gwin and Brendan Fairclough.

Probably only of interest to technocrats: The measures have increased the weight by a few grams - only of limited importance for a four-piston brake for the most massive applications. The manufacturer gives the weight as 310 grams without rotors and without adapters. Price: 199 euros per brake.

BIKE has already had the opportunity to ride the new DH-R Evo brakes from TRP extensively. Interested in how the brakes grip and modulate? Read our ride report in BIKE 6/2020 - available now, in print or as a digital version in the BIKE app for iOS- or Android-devices.