TRP HY-RD cable actuated hydraulic or not ?

[Doyleyburger]

Hi all. Been away for a while after a hectic year but am now back for some advice.
My bike frame is being replaced under warranty and I have been offered the option of a titanium frame, which is now on the way. The new frame only takes disc brakes so of course new hoops are needed but I now need to consider my braking/caliper options.
I was recommended the TRP HY RD cable actuated hydraulic calipers but after reading a few reviews , a lot of riders feel they are ugly and bulky and also fiddly to set up.
Ideally I'd like to use my existing shifters and save some expense.
Another option is the spyre mechanical dual action calipers.
Any experience with either would be a fantastic help.
I am a total nooob with discs
Many thanks in advance

 

[vickster]

Big fan of Spyre TRP mechanicals here, with secondary cross lever brakes. Hydraulic hoods bulky and fugly

 

[lane]

TRP HY RD do not have hydraulic hoods. They are cable pull but the pads are hydraulically operated. I have had them on my last two bikes without problems and they stop the bike well. I think they do look bulky. You get a lot of cable pull before the brakes bite. Based on my experience I would recommend them but with reservations based on the number of people that seem to have problems with them edpecially set up. One big advantage is they are self adjusting whereas from what I understand cable pull disk brakes require frequent adjustment.

With TRP HY RD set up is critical, making sure the cable is pulled tight and using the right cables. There does seem to be a lot of scope for getting this wrong.

 

[Cycleops]

My Tektro calipers are okay but I'll replace them shortly with TRP Spyres (mechanical) which get good reviews. May not be as good a set of hydraulics but there's no faffing with fluid.

 

[Slick]

I have them on my genesis and found them to be excellent but I did have a bit of an issue with the actuating arm seizing on so now I have to ensure that's cleaned thoroughly if riding in salty conditions.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Because the trp are dual piston you need to be careful that the caliper body does not foul the spokes on front wheel. So 160mm is a minimum in my view. Easy to install the Spyre cable ones and get aligned so no disc rub. You will need to adjust pads as they wear but thats just a 3mm allen key job.

 

[Brandane]

I've got TRP Hy-Rd's on my Genesis Croix de Fer. I don't understand the difficulty in setting them up. As with any other hydraulic discs I've used, you slacken the mounting bolts; apply the brake; tighten the mounting bolts. That's them centred. The problems arise if they ever need bled, as they don't have a protruding bleed nipple as such. It's a real faff and you need the proper tools to do it, but there is a technique to it - and as with everything it's much easier once you've learnt from your mistakes. In use, as long as they are in good fettle they work very well.

Edit to add... I had always wanted a Croix de Fer, and went for a test ride on a new one. I didn't buy it because I thought the brakes were shockingly BAD! Either they hadn't been set up correctly, or maybe just a case of new pads not bedded in - but I later bought a very good condition used one, from a member on here, and it has proved to be a good purchase. Brakes are fine, and saved a few hundred £££ over the new one.

 

[cosmicbike]

I've never had them so can't comment. But, don't believe all you read about mechanical calipers needing frequent adjustment. I have Avid BB7 road calipers on my Boardman CX and if I might adjust them twice a year, not too bad for the 3500 miles it does each year on commuting duties.

 

[Drago]

And it's not like adjusting mechanical dalipers is onerous or takes very long.

 

[Doyleyburger]

Thanks all
Very much appreciated

 

[JhnBssll]

Hydraulic hoods bulky and fugly

Older ones, yes. The latest Shimano offerings are all much better proportioned. I would seriously consider the latest 105 hydraulic STI's coupled with Hope RX-4 calipers...

 

[tom73]

Older ones, yes. The latest Shimano offerings are all much better proportioned. I would seriously consider the latest 105 hydraulic STI's coupled with Hope RX-4 calipers...

The new one's are indeed much better looking and proportioned they look great and comfortable in your hand.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

May not be as good a set of hydraulics but there's no faffing with fluid.

Don't understand why anyone would want cabled calipers, once setup there is no faffing with fluid & far less maintenance afterwards

 

[Drago]

Until the rare occasions they do fail, and you have to start dismantling and poring over Shimano parts catologues to identify a particular seal, only to find no one in Europe has one. Been there, done that, ended up throwing them in the bin...

Hydros generally are hassle free, but when the do cause problems you will invent some fantastic new swear words.

 

[vickster]

The new one's are indeed much better looking and proportioned they look great and comfortable in your hand.

I don’t personally find any Shimano hoods comfortable. SRAM all the way whose hydraulic hoods are also bulky and fugly (at least they were in the summer when I specced my Ti)