Has anyone used semi hydraulic brakes on a road bike?

Sleeper Service

The reason I ask is that I have mild arthritis in my hands as a result of some old rugby injuries. As such, my days of using drop handlebar bikes have come to an end as I can't get enough power into the brakes, and find Shimano shifters uncomfortable.

However, I recently came across this:

http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/ProductRange/Product/Default.aspx?pc=1&pt=14&pg=15776

This bike has one chainring and an SRAM ultra wide range cassette, along with semi-hydraulic brakes, which might take those issues away. The question is then: do hydraulic brakes, including semis, require significantly less pressure to activate, or am I still looking at flat bars for the rest of my cycling days?

ugo.santalucia

These are TRP HyRD, I use them, I wouldn't say they are easier on the hands than mechanical brakes to be honest

Sleeper Service

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19781192#p19781192]ugo.santalucia[/url] wrote:

These are TRP HyRD, I use them, I wouldn't say they are easier on the hands than mechanical brakes to be honest

Damn. That's a shame.

Any idea if full hydraulics would be?

janwal

No they are not any easier.I use TRP hy/rd and require same effort as my Ultegra.

animal72

From MTB experience, upsize on Discs for more braking power. I recently went from 160 to 180 on my front brake, with no other changes at all. The difference is remarkable.

bbrap

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19781194#p19781194]Sleeper Service[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19781192#p19781192]ugo.santalucia[/url] wrote:

These are TRP HyRD, I use them, I wouldn't say they are easier on the hands than mechanical brakes to be honest

Damn. That's a shame.

Any idea if full hydraulics would be?

Full hydraulics feel much easier on the hands to me. I can stop very quickly using just one finger, to get comparable stopping on my rim brakes takes a full hand. So if your hands are getting weak/painful or with limited mobility I would suggest full hydro is the way to go.

meanredspider

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19781194#p19781194]Sleeper Service[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19781192#p19781192]ugo.santalucia[/url] wrote:

These are TRP HyRD, I use them, I wouldn't say they are easier on the hands than mechanical brakes to be honest

Damn. That's a shame.

Any idea if full hydraulics would be?

Yes - I have TRP and full hydraulic Shimano. The TRP are good but full hydraulic are nicer and much smoother and easier to operate.

Sleeper Service

Thanks, folks.

I guess I'll keep an eye out for reasonably priced bikes with similar specs but full hydraulics in 2016.

lakesluddite

This is the same price, has 1x gearing and full hydraulic brakes:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRIV1/planet-x-london-road-sram-rival-1-hydraulic-disc-road-bike

The London Road is well reviewed, especially around these parts!

964cup

Same answer. TRP Hy/RD require similar pressure to rim brakes (using 160mm front / 140mm rear on my cross bike). On the other hand, fit full hydraulics with a 180 (or even 200mm+) front disc and you should get the reduction in force you're looking for. I have a 180 front/160 rear on an old hybrid to which I fitted some Magura MTS brakes I found on eBay. That is pretty well a one-finger bike.

Sleeper Service

LakesLuddite wrote:

This is the same price, has 1x gearing and full hydraulic brakes:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRIV ... -road-bike

The London Road is well reviewed, especially around these parts!

Thanks. It looks lovely, but I'm after one with a 44t chainring and 10-42 XD body cassette ideally.

Sleeper Service

964Cup wrote:

Same answer. TRP Hy/RD require similar pressure to rim brakes (using 160mm front / 140mm rear on my cross bike). On the other hand, fit full hydraulics with a 180 (or even 200mm+) front disc and you should get the reduction in force you're looking for. I have a 180 front/160 rear on an old hybrid to which I fitted some Magura MTS brakes I found on eBay. That is pretty well a one-finger bike.

Cheers. Looks like I either hold off or perhaps go for the one up in Raleigh's range:

http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/Pr ... 4&pg=15775

Feels a bit pricey for what it is though.

cycleclinic

My hy-rd lasted 5000km and the pistons became skewiff. The pads would no longer sit square and there was no way to fix them. They went in the bin and have been replaced by spyres. Braking is the same.

Shimano's hydraulic brakes are the best there are. pretty much one finger but there is quite alot of lever travel.