TRP DH-R EVO brakes

Nat · Dec 18, 2024

villy.z said:
Thanks for the input mate.
Have you run Galfer Purple in the front or rear?

I remember the Frameworks team run Green on the front, purple on the rear.

I tried the Purple on the front but wasn't too impressed. On the rear seems much better with nice modulation.

I currently have Galfer green front/purple rear. I don’t think I’ve tried any other combination. That’s interesting that a race team also does it the same way.

Gilgo · Dec 18, 2024

Have tested Shimano resin, TRP blue pads and Trickstuff Power pads. Trickstuff is the best ones of these. Not even a competition. Running Shimano 223/200 rotors.

socalrider77 · Dec 18, 2024

I’ve run the 2 piece and the normal rotors, don’t notice a difference. Never had any issues with glazing pads and I’ve run quite a few.

Galfer blacks: bad
Discobrakes black ceramic: average
TRP semi metallic: average
TRP blue: good
TRP sintered (gold): better
Shimano XT sintered: better
MTX reds: better (quiter than sintered but wear faster and are more expensive)

if I didn’t get a bunch of MTX pads from a buddy for cheap, I would run the XT metallics. Best price

erformance ratio

ocnLogan · Dec 18, 2024

socalrider77 said:
I’ve run the 2 piece and the normal rotors, don’t notice a difference. Never had any issues with glazing pads and I’ve run quite a few.

Galfer blacks: bad
Discobrakes black ceramic: average
TRP semi metallic: average
TRP blue: good
TRP sintered (gold): better
Shimano XT sintered: better
MTX reds: better (quiter than sintered but wear faster and are more expensive)

if I didn’t get a bunch of MTX pads from a buddy for cheap, I would run the XT metallics. Best priceerformance ratio

FWIW, I've only used 3 pads.

TRP Semi-Metallic (Red): Meh performance, wore very quickly for me. (Brakes ordered 6/2019, shimanos replacement ordered 8/2020). Probably lasted... ~40-50k ft of vert, tops.

Shimano D02S (metallic, no fins): Better than the Semi-Metallics (TRP Red), but a but constantly noisy in the wet (high pitched slight screeching, not the turkey warble/honking, although it did that too). I replaced these due to the noise before they wore out, no data really on longevity.

MTX Gold: Quieter than shimano (a bit less "screetchy metallic noise", still turkey warbles/honks, but becomes silent again faster than shimano), maybe a bit better performance, but much longer lasting.

How long lasting?

I bought 3 pairs 4/2021, and installed 2 fresh. I used those same pads until 6/2024, where in preparation for my trip to whistler... I replaced the rear with my spare 3rd set I'd bought in 2021. Also, I've done more vert in the recent years (lift stuff), than I did on the TRP Reds. My front MTX Golds have... ~286k ft of vert on them, give or take some. And I think the rears lasted at least ~200k ft before I replaced them (definitely worn, but useable still).

The MTX Golds are more expensive, but based on their perf/longevity, they're cheaper pr ft of vert (at least for me, so far).

*caveat, I'm on the OG Quadiems, not DHR-Evos, but the pad stuff should remain relatively consistent between models.

villy.z · Dec 18, 2024

cookieMonster said:
I run the stock TRP 223mm rotor on the front of my Relay, and a SRAM 220 on the back.

I run Saint metallic pads, which are finned (yes, they fit perfectly in TRPs).

There is no fade or change in performance or lever feel even going down our steepest trail, which descends 1700’ in one mile.👌

Thanks for the input!
The stock TRP rotor you mean the RS01E, right?

I did read that the Saint finned pads fit the TRPs. Can I double check you mean the Type H pads? H03C is what my local store has available ...

Also, do you find that the finned pads rattle in the calipers?

I find the non-finned pads do rattle a bit when stationary. Not really noticeable when riding.

villy.z · Dec 18, 2024

Gilgo said:
Have tested Shimano resin, TRP blue pads and Trickstuff Power pads. Trickstuff is the best ones of these. Not even a competition. Running Shimano 223/200 rotors.

Interesting.
I can't seem to find Trickstuff pads available anywhere in Australia at this stage. I might try Galfer Green or the MTX stuff before trying to source Trickstuff from overseas.

villy.z · Dec 18, 2024

socalrider77 said:
I’ve run the 2 piece and the normal rotors, don’t notice a difference. Never had any issues with glazing pads and I’ve run quite a few.

Galfer blacks: bad
Discobrakes black ceramic: average
TRP semi metallic: average
TRP blue: good
TRP sintered (gold): better
Shimano XT sintered: better
MTX reds: better (quiter than sintered but wear faster and are more expensive)

if I didn’t get a bunch of MTX pads from a buddy for cheap, I would run the XT metallics. Best priceerformance ratio

Very helpful. Thanks for the input.
Honestly I feel like I might have received a weird batch of Shimano XT sintered pads. I got 3 sets. 1 of them is ok, the other 2 glaze from nothing .... whether I run then in the TRPs or the Shimano brakes, they suck.
The set the works, works great tho!

My stock TRP blue performance resin pads got contaminated after my first ride so I never got to experience whether they were that good.

villy.z · Dec 18, 2024

ocnLogan said:
FWIW, I've only used 3 pads.

TRP Semi-Metallic (Red): Meh performance, wore very quickly for me. (Brakes ordered 6/2019, shimanos replacement ordered 8/2020). Probably lasted... ~40-50k ft of vert, tops.

Shimano D02S (metallic, no fins): Better than the Semi-Metallics (TRP Red), but a but constantly noisy in the wet (high pitched slight screeching, not the turkey warble/honking, although it did that too). I replaced these due to the noise before they wore out, no data really on longevity.

MTX Gold: Quieter than shimano (a bit less "screetchy metallic noise", still turkey warbles/honks, but becomes silent again faster than shimano), maybe a bit better performance, but much longer lasting.

How long lasting?

I bought 3 pairs 4/2021, and installed 2 fresh. I used those same pads until 6/2024, where in preparation for my trip to whistler... I replaced the rear with my spare 3rd set I'd bought in 2021. Also, I've done more vert in the recent years (lift stuff), than I did on the TRP Reds. My front MTX Golds have... ~286k ft of vert on them, give or take some. And I think the rears lasted at least ~200k ft before I replaced them (definitely worn, but useable still).

The MTX Golds are more expensive, but based on their perf/longevity, they're cheaper pr ft of vert (at least for me, so far).

*caveat, I'm on the OG Quadiems, not DHR-Evos, but the pad stuff should remain relatively consistent between models.

Wow very good.
What rotors have you tried when using these 3 types of pads? 2.3mm rotors?

villy.z · Dec 18, 2024

Thanks for everyone's input on pads and rotors.
Seems like most of you are running 203 or 223s.

Maybe I am expecting too much from my 180mm rotors.
Granted it is on a hardtail.... but an aggressive hardtail and I like messing around with trial-esk moves so I prefer sharp bite at slow speed.

I might try Galfer Green. Or I just saw that a shop in Australia just brought in MTX Red and MTX Gold. Might try these at some point too. Quite expensive thought! They are more than double the price of the Shimano XT pads.

ocnLogan · Dec 18, 2024

villy.z said:
Wow very good.
What rotors have you tried when using these 3 types of pads? 2.3mm rotors?

I have TRP Quadiems (predecessor to the DHR-Evo), which only support 1.8mm rotors. I've been using the Galfer Wave rotors in 203mm, for each of the pads listed there.

jester6578 · Dec 19, 2024

I've only run 2.3 rotors. 203mm/180mm on my 160/150 travel setup and 180mm/180mm when on 140/130 travel. The size of rotor you are able to make use of will be more dependent on your tires and trails than other factors. On faster rolling tires I can lock up with wheels on 180's, so I had no reason to go any larger. With grippier tires I'll lock up the 180 in the rear at full pull. A larger rotor will give you more "power", but will lock up earlier, giving less overall modulation. But you seem to like brakes that come on strong, so they may "feel" better to you.

I run MTX Reds, but live in a dry climate. If I was in a wetter climate I'd probably go golds. In my experience: MTX>D03S>TRP Resin (blue).

villy.z · Dec 19, 2024

jester6578 said:
I've only run 2.3 rotors. 203mm/180mm on my 160/150 travel setup and 180mm/180mm when on 140/130 travel. The size of rotor you are able to make use of will be more dependent on your tires and trails than other factors. On faster rolling tires I can lock up with wheels on 180's, so I had no reason to go any larger. With grippier tires I'll lock up the 180 in the rear at full pull. A larger rotor will give you more "power", but will lock up earlier, giving less overall modulation. But you seem to like brakes that come on strong, so they may "feel" better to you.

I run MTX Reds, but live in a dry climate. If I was in a wetter climate I'd probably go golds. In my experience: MTX>D03S>TRP Resin (blue).

Totally agree.
But just around the parking lot, I tried testing the DH-R Evos with a commuter/slick tyre (from my commuter bike) and with my MTB wheel fitted with DHF maxxTerra, 2.5. I get a bit of speed, say 10-15km/h and squeeze the lever hard, the front wheel never locks up and the rear wheel does not go off the ground.

I try the same test with my commuter hardtail with 2 pot Shimano SLX with 180 rotor, and the front wheel instantly locks up and wants to throw me over the bar.

I know that locking up is not necessarily a good thing.
I like the modulation of the TRPs on the trail, but when I do super slow jibbing and trial stuff, like 0km/h, front pivots etc., the TRPs just don't feel great.

villy.z · Dec 19, 2024

So you have tried running the D03S shimano pads. That's the resin version, right?
Have you tried the D02 metallic/sintered version? I wonder if you can compare...

NJTransplant · Dec 19, 2024

villy.z said:
Oh ok..... it is not just me who is having issues with metallic pads glazing.

You got a few sets of MTX pads, already. Which ones did you go for and how do you find them compared to the sintered/metallic you used to run?

Did you also get new rotors or did you resurface the old ones?

Cheers

I have the reds, since they're on the spire I haven't had it out in a bit but the bed in process was a night and day difference. MTX pads gripped better almost right away.

For rotors, they're less than a year old so I cleaned em up and sent it.

cookieMonster · Feb 1, 2025

Another shoutout to Freedom Coast for their awesome levers. I just did my first ride with them, and they fixed my only gripe with the stock levers. They’ll make a huge difference in fatigue for long, steep, and rough trails, because my index fingers no longer have to be fully straightened just to reach them.👌

johnsogr · Feb 1, 2025

Anyone tried the Cascade things? I have no complaints about lever distance from the bar, but my only gripe is they're a bit spongey (compared to other brands), even with a professional bleed (my new mechanic used to be a professional race mechanic)

socalrider77 · Feb 2, 2025

johnsogr said:
Anyone tried the Cascade things? I have no complaints about lever distance from the bar, but my only gripe is they're a bit spongey (compared to other brands), even with a professional bleed (my new mechanic used to be a professional race mechanic)

mine are still sitting in my toolbox waiting to be installed, but my buddy who was running them said they fix exactly that problem

RustyIron · Feb 3, 2025

johnsogr said:
Anyone tried the Cascade things? I have no complaints about lever distance from the bar, but my only gripe is they're a bit spongey (compared to other brands),

Yup, I've been running the Cascade Contraptions for a few months. I like to run them tight, so that there is less lever throw for initial contact and less throw for final lockup. It's really fun to run them like this. But you don't get nothin' for free. The improved performance comes at a price, just as with race cars, helicopters, and rocket ships. Things are a little more finicky. If you run things TOO tight, you'll end up with excessive drag if you get things REALLY hot. Also, I've found that the piston retraction isn't 100% consistent, and sometimes I have to recenter the calipers. Since I'm really on top of bike maintenance and tuning, this isn't a deal breaker. But if you're the sort who only works on his bike a couple times a year, then the Cascade Contraption might not be for you.

villy.z · Feb 14, 2025

I am giving up trying to solve the spongy lever feel and lack of bite.
I'm going to try the frankenstein combo TRP calipers with Shimano XT levers. Similar to the Shigura concept but ShiTRP or TRPmano ?!

Seems like a few people have tried this already with very positive results: https://www.mtbr.com/threads/shiman...liper-combo.1154495/?post_id=16340150&nested_view=1&sortby=oldest#post-16340150

I will report back!

meschenbruch · Feb 14, 2025

Does anyone know what size the caliper pistons are? I’m going to buy a pair that apparently has a leaky rear caliper and wondering if I can replace the seals or if I should just look for a replacement caliper

TRP DH-R EVO brakes

Nat

Gilgo

socalrider77

ocnLogan

villy.z

villy.z

villy.z

villy.z

villy.z

ocnLogan

jester6578

villy.z

villy.z

NJTransplant

cookieMonster

johnsogr

socalrider77

RustyIron

villy.z

meschenbruch

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