Converter for mechanical-to-hydraulic brake levers
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Ashima previewed its upcoming Hydro-Mech mechanical-to-hydraulic converter at the Taipei Cycle Show.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The mounting bracket can be tilted up or down to closely profile +/-6° stems. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Cleverly, the mounting plate also doubles as the cover for the master cylinder reservoir.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
While the appearance could be considered rather industrial, it's also quite compact and supposedly the lightest of its genre.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Hydro-Mech uses a two-stage piston that offers unique benefits when paired to Ashima's PCB caliper. Since pad retraction is dictated by flexible bladders instead of traditional seal roll-back, this allows for more pad clearance, quick pad contact, and good modulation.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fully integrated hydraulic systems are still the ideal situation but all things considered, Ashima's Hydro-Mech converter looks pretty good - and it'll look even better once it wears its final anodized finish.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Road bikes like this will be commonplace before you know it.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fully hydraulic systems such as those soon to come from SRAM and Shimano will be the way to go for disc-equipped road and cyclo-cross bikes. But, with countless mechanical brake levers on the market, converters will still find some appeal. Ashima previewed its new Hydro-Mech at the Taipei Cycle Show and, based on the appearance and technical specs, there's a lot to like.
The Hydro-Mech operates much like Hope's converter, with the brake cable pulling directly on the end of a piston that pushes fluid through a hose to the adjoining caliper. Ashima's version, however, uses a two-stage piston with a large, 13mm-diameter to bring the pads quickly to the rim before switching a smaller 9mm generates more power.
Paired with Ashima's PCB brake caliper, which uses an expanding bladder to push the pads against the rotor instead of conventional pistons and seals, the system should provide more generous pad clearance than typical setups. Moreover, this means the arrangement should be more tolerant than usual of rotors that aren't exactly in the same position when swapping between wheels – a critical feature for 'cross racers.
Other clever details include a steerer-based mounting system that can be angled up or down for +/- 6-degree stems. The mounting bracket also doubles as the cover for the fluid reservoir, which reduces the system's size and weight.
Ashima doesn't have a pricing estimate yet, nor exact weight figures, although the company claims the Hydro-Mech will be the "lightest on the market". Ashima will start testing prototypes this summer and a full consumer release is expected some time in 2014.
