TRP G-SPEC E-MTB

£160

SPECIFICATION Weight: brake 306g, rotor 204g • Rotor size: 160, 180, 203, 223mm • Contact: upgradebikes.co.uk

TRP’S G-spec E-MTB disc brake is designed for e-bike use, although to be fair there’s nothing stopping you putting it on a regular analogue bike. The G-spec E-MTB features include a larger 223mm rotor option that offers increased power and better heat dissipation. TRP has also upped the thickness of its rotors from 1.8 to 2.3mm. Again, there’s more metal, so it’s a bigger heat sink, and it also shouldn’t warp so easily. The 2.3mm rotors are available in both a floating design with a stainless-steel braking surface attached to a lightweight aluminium carrier for about £55 (205g), or a full stainless-steel R1 for about £40 (266g).

Like the current Quadium brake, the G-spec lever has a wide blade with a dimpled surface for grip. There’s no contact adjustment, but on the inside is a dial to adjust the reach. This is easy to operate and doesn’t bind like the one on the SRAM G2. It can also be removed once you’ve set it up, should you want a bit more clearance.

The forged caliper features four lightweight hybrid pistons, top-loading sintered metallic pads and a chunky fixing bolt with a big 4mm Allen head.

When you buy the G-spec E-MTB it doesn’t come built; you have to trim the hose and connect the lever and caliper together yourself. A spare olive and insert are included in the box, but you will need a £20 bleed kit if you want to do things properly, which obviously adds to the cost. When we first set up this brake we noticed a bit of rotor rubbing, but it only took a couple of minutes for it to come up to full power.

The G-spec E-MTB does have more modulation and power than the Slate T4 tested here, but it still feels quite wooden compared to SRAM and Shimano. It also doesn’t feel quite as refined as the SRAM G2 either, but it’s more consistent and easier to bleed. The metal pads last longer than most, even in wet weather, and they’re cheap. While it’s plain looking, the TRP G-spec is a solid, great value disc brake.