Plus a possible Di2-compatible hydraulic road brake lever from TRP
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Magura flashes just this glimpse of its upcoming road release. Is it a section of the rear brake? The outer plate of a hydraulic rear derailleur? We'll have to wait and see for now(Image credit: Magura)
TRP's current solution for hydraulic road disc brakes is the Parabox - an add-on mechanical-to-hydraulic converter that allows the use of existing levers with hydraulic disc brakes. TRP's rumored release would be a far more elegant solution, though, and it should work better and be lighter, too(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Likewise, it shouldn't take a Herculean effort to adapt the Acros A-GE hydraulic front derailleur for use on a road-sized crankset(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Acros A-GE hydraulic shifter currently isn't that big but in order to create a fully hydraulic road group, Magura and Acros would have to figure out a way to tuck all the hardware inside a conventionally sized road lever body - along with a master cylinder for the brakes, too(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Acros' A-GE hydraulic rear derailleur could easily be adapted both in terms of function and aesthetic to work with a road setup(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
TRP is already well versed in road brake levers and hydraulics. Fitting the latter into the former shouldn't present that much of a challenge, and adding its own set of Di2-compatible shift buttons would make the setup compatible with Shimano's current crop of electronic derailleurs(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Magura's teaser video clearly points to a road-oriented product. A standalone set of brakes doesn't make sense but a fully hydraulic, complete road group does(Image credit: Magura)
We've already covered the rumors about SRAM's pending hydraulic road disc brake setup over the past few weeks but one long-time hydraulic brake company may have been taking advantage of the diversion for its own road development. Magura recently released a teaser video on its Facebook page that admittedly reveals very little in terms of actual detail, but if you let your imagination run even just a little, there's enormous potential for not just a new brakeset but a whole new group.
Magura's press release is intentionally enigmatic, but also suggestive:
"In January 2012, the hydraulics expert Magura will present a product that will revolutionize cycling. For one and a half years, pioneering engineers have been hard at work on an innovative hydraulic braking system. And Magura has succeeded in keeping the entire project completely under wraps. Magura has also brought a cooperation partner on board to complement its own expertise. Who this is though, is also a secret."
Given the current state of technology, it makes no sense for Magura to release a road brakeset without some sort of integrated shifting system. Shimano is historically averse to openly cooperating on projects that aren't entirely housed within its walls – particularly with a direct competitor – but the release clearly states that Magura hasn't developed its own transmission.
Magura USA spokesperson Jeff Enlow declined to comment when asked by Cyclingnews but our guess is that Magura is collaborating with German compatriot Acros on a fully hydraulic road group based on the latter's A-GE hydraulic mountain bike transmission.
The pieces certainly make sense. Magura has a deep knowledge base for hydraulic systems, they're currently a virtual non-player in the road market, and Acros already owns the design for a hydraulic shifter and derailleur setup that could easily be adapted to the road. Add in the fact that Acros doesn't currently offer a brakeset of its own at all and you have the recipe for a perfect marriage.
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We're struggling to discern what the single red component is in Magura's teaser video but that's no matter at this point. What's far more intriguing is what we think the entire package will be. Tech-oriented roadies who haven't warmed to the idea of having motors and batteries on their bikes will likely be less averse to the idea of a hydraulic setup, which could potentially be lighter, offer legitimate lever feedback, and won't require recharging.
Moreover, given a good design it could be just as maintenance-free as an electronic drivetrain, too.
TRP to offer its own Di2-compatible hydraulic road levers?
Also coming through the grapevine is word that TRP has its own hydraulic road disc brake setup in development. Just as in the Magura case, though, it makes little sense for TRP to release something without some sort of integrated shifting package – lest consumers decide that we should all revert to bar-end or down tube shifters.
TRP is already well versed in road brake levers and hydraulics. Fitting the latter into the former shouldn't present that much of a challenge, and adding its own set of Di2-compatible shift buttons would make the setup compatible with Shimano's current crop of electronic derailleurs
According to Cyclingnews' sources, TRP's solution is its own set of integrated Di2-compatible shift buttons but the company isn't openly collaborating with Shimano. Nevertheless, we expect TRP's setup — assuming it successfully navigates the patent minefield and makes it to market — to plug directly into Shimano's own wiring harness to control current Dura-Ace Di2 or Ultegra Di2 derailleurs. "In terms of how Shimano collaborates with companies, there's no official company policy or party line per se," Shimano USA road PR representative Eric Doyne told us. "I think it would be more common to see Shimano collaborate with a company that is not a direct competitor in an arena like bicycle components as was done through an innovative relationship with Fox Racing Shox for thru-axle technology that ended up creating an important new industry standard with 15QR."
TRP USA's Lance Larrabee wouldn't directly disclose any knowledge regarding a possible integrated shifting setup but he did confirm that the company was currently testing a hydraulic road disc brake system. "We're trying," he told Cyclingnews. "We've got some test samples and we're exploring our viability to sell a product around the Shimano patents right now. We do have a system in the works. We will have a full hydraulic road lever with the reservoir in the lever and it should be compatible with some type of currently available shifting system as an option."
Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo may have generated the most buzz lately in the road tech world but from the looks of things, the field is about to get a little more crowded – and everyone is stepping up their game.
