Your hands and feet and the points of contact they make with the bike are key to adding both comfort and control to your ride. Here we take a look at options from TRP, Ritchey, DMR and Ergon.
Words: Sean White Images: Dirt
Our favourite kit from the current crop of hardware we’ve tested can be found in the 2017 Dirt 100. These are products that we keep turning to, fitting to Dirt test bikes (and our own personal machines) and are a sure sign of a sorted product. The second rate stuff can be frustrating at times, compromising comfort and control. You tend to know when you’ve found a choice that works for you. The small details can make a big difference.
Brakes, cockpit and pedals are products that dictate the ‘feel’ of the bike. Here we take a look at hardware from four brands.
TRP QUADIEM G-SPEC DISC BRAKE
This brand may be a new to you but it certainly is one to check out when you’re upgrading. This is TRP’s gravity brake and the ‘G’ in the spec refers to Aaron Gwin. Yes, he rides with these TRP stoppers on his YT Tues race bike and has had input into the finer design details. These four piston brakes are for hauling up a DH bike, so they are not the lightest, with our samples weighing in at 317g (F) and 337g (R) without rotors.
The levers are a touch bigger than many equivalent brakes, with a moto influence to them and as with the caliper have a polished finish. The lever blades are longer than on many brakes too, and have a drilled and dimpled finish to potentially add control and grip. A hinged bar clamp and tool-free reach adjustment dial make fitting and tweaking easy but there is no ‘bite point’ adjustment. The four pistons are a steel/ceramic hybrid material and the brakes run on mineral oil as per all Shimano systems. Cooling fins on the caliper body are there to help with cooling.
A great looking pair of brakes that should be a genuine option to the SRAM Code, Magura MT or Shimano Saint. The Quadiems are left/right specific and the rotors and brackets are purchased separately.
PRICE: £200.00 each end (brake only)
