Euro X Magnesium Brakes from TRP
Overkill? Nah! The 105 gram, TRP Euro Magnesium brakes with ti mounting hardware isn't overkill-it's man jewelry for the manliest form of bike racing this side of DH-cyclocross. Alright, I admit it: when I pulled these out of the box resplendent in white, with gold hardware I immediately thought of a Cadillac Escalade with 28-inch "Spinners." AKA, bling in the extreme. But, and this is a big but, unlike almost all other CX brakes out there, the Euro X Mags get a vitally important single-hand adjuster nut to release tension from the brake without tools.
In the middle of a race, when your bike is caked in mud, you can (as I've done) shoulder your bike during a run-up and reach down and loosen the tension on the front brake to allow the wheel to roll free. You can even reach back and release the tension on the rear brake while in the saddle (Caution: practice this before the heat of battle!).
A few housekeeping details: First, the TRPs come with both carbon-rim pads and alloy rim pads. I found the alloy compound too hard; bits of metal actually scraped off Shimano Dura-Ace rims during use. Switching to Shimano's own D-A brake pad solved that problem. Second, these are wide cantilevers. You get great mud clearance, but you should be smooth with your dismounts or you may find yourself scraping your leg against the rear brake arm.
Third, how do they work? Great in dry conditions, and better (like all brakes) with metal-rimmed wheels. In the wet with carbon they can be sketchy, but so can all cantis. Finally, at $300, are they worth it? That's for you to decide. They are mighty sexy, but TRP's $100 carbon cantis are as well, and they'll save you $200 you can spend elsewhere
Product Features
- On-the-fly tension adjuster
- 105 grams per wheel
- Excellent mud clearance
- Available in carbon
