Despite being a major brake manufacturer, TRP’s brakes aren’t as widespread as you’d expect. The DH-R EVO is the most powerful model in their portfolio and enters this comparison test alongside its little sibling, the Trail EVO. Does it have the potential to become an insider tip?
Learn more about this comparison test: The best MTB disc brakes – 14 MTB brakes in comparison
TRP stands for TEKTRO Racing Products, which is the performance brand of Taiwanese brake colossus TEKTRO. TRP’s portfolio is huge and includes brakes for road, XC and DH bikes, as well as drivetrains. We tested two of their brakes, the DH-R EVO and Trail EVO, which look almost identical at first glance. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that the DH-R EVO has a smaller master cylinder, which results in higher pressure in the system, ensuring more braking force at the same pull strength.
The TRP DH-R EVO is the most powerful brake in TRP’s product range and retails at € 500, unless you want the more expensive silver and gold finish. The brakes are paired with organic pads and chunky 2.3 mm rotors, which are designed to improve heat dissipation. The DH-R EVO features tool-free lever reach adjustments, but forgoes an externally adjustable bite point. The one-piece clamp relies on a single bolt, which isn’t secured with an O-ring, meaning that it can easily get lost, together with the small plastic insert in the clamp. The clamp is compatible with Shimano and SRAM shifters, allowing you to keep the number of separate clamps on the handlebars to a minimum.
Bleeding the TRP DH-R EVO brakes is quick and easy. Like with the Shimano brakes, you just have to thread a funnel onto the lever bleed port and pull the lever a few times to release excess air. TRP rely on mineral oil, so you don’t have to worry too much if you spill some on your hands or bike frame. However, we still recommend using rubber gloves and keeping the pads out of the way while bleeding to avoid contamination.
TRP DH-R EVO on test
In our lab tests, the TRP DH-R EVO ranked in the lower third of the test field, but it’s still more powerful than the SRAM’s popular CODE brakes, and significantly better than its little sibling, the Trail EVO, which landed at the bottom of the field – this clearly proves the perks of a smaller master cylinder. Our Sinter reference pads increased the braking torque only marginally, which on one hand means that there’s little tuning potential, but on the other also means that TRP already use very good pads. Rotor temperature is average too, and that’s despite the thicker discs.
The levers of the TRP DH-R EVO are relatively long, but we didn’t have problems setting up our cockpit. However, the lever reach adjustment doesn’t have much range of movement, meaning that the TRP’s might not be a good option if you like your levers close to the handlebars. On the trail, the DH-R EVO delivers a good overall performance, but isn’t the strongest – the lab tests were right! However, it still bites hard enough in most situations, proving far stronger than the Trail EVO and also all SRAM CODE models. Compared to the latter, it also offers a snappier and more defined bite point. That said, the TRP DH-R EVO can’t keep up with the direct on/off brake feel typical of Shimano brakes. Overall, the TRP DH-R EVO doesn’t quite strike the right balance between a defined bite point and modulation.
Our conclusions about the TRP DH-R EVO
The TRP DH-R EVO might not be as popular as some of the other brakes in this test, but they’re certainly worth a look. Although very simple and plain, the choice of eye-catching colours can add an elegant touch to your bike. The lever reach adjustment works nicely, but doesn’t allow you to position the levers close to the bars. Despite landing in the lower third of the test field in the lab, the TRP DH-R EVO delivers a solid performance on the trail, impressing with a good mix of power, modulation and definition.
Tops
- Good braking power
- Snappy bite point without being too radical
- Easy bleeding
Flops
- There are more powerful brakes in this test
- Limited brake lever adjustments
For more info, visit trpcycling.com
Find the overview of this comparison test here: The best MTB disc brakes – 14 MTB brakes in comparison
All brakes in test:
Formula Cura 4 | Hayes Dominion T4 | Hope Tech 4 V4 | MAGURA MT5 Pro | MAGURA MT7 | Shimano SLX | Shimano XT | Shimano XTR | SRAM CODE Bronze Stealth | SRAM CODE Ultimate Stealth | SRAM MAVEN Ultimate | Trickstuff MAXIMA | TRP DH-R EVO | TRP Trail EVO |
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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Peter Walker
