Time-trial and triathlon riders who enjoy stress-free stopping got another braking option today with the announcement that SRAM has released its brand new S-900 Aero HRD disc brake lever.
The new textured lever is said to be optimised for use on TT bikes, with the power and modulation of the brakes “optimized… for triathlon and time trial bikes”. Shifting is still kept separate, being taken care of via either bar-end end shifters or the brands eTap BlipGrip’s.
The caliper looks identical to the RED 22 hydro caliper save for the all-black colour scheme, which should blend in a little better with any of SRAM’s groupsets. Unsurprisingly, this will only be available in a flat mount configuration.
The rest of the setup features familiar SRAM tech, including the brands easy to use Bleeding Edge system and Stealth-A-Majig connectors.
The S-900 brakes will cost $249 / €277 / £235 / AU$TBC and are due to be available as of September.
Discs to become the norm for TT bikes?
Funky cable routing and awkward brake placement have meant that many TT bikes have long been plagued by vague — or just plain bad — braking. In a discipline where weight is less of a concern, we’re openly welcoming the move towards disc brakes becoming the norm.
The pros are clearly accepting the move, too, with Alberto Bettiol taking on the first stage of this year’s Tour aboard a Cannondale Super Slice equipped with discs, though the Shimano-sponsored team resorted to using TRP’s Spyre mechanical brakes as the brand is yet to bring a hydro aero-lever to the market.
We’ve seen a lot of disc-equipped TT and Tri bikes being released in recent months, the majority of which have been specced with either the aforementioned TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes or the brand’s HyRd mechanical/hydro hybrid brakes.
While these are a certainly workable solution, we’re looking forward to more hydro brakes becoming available for the road in the near future.
Are you looking forward to actually being able to stop in a controlled manner aboard your TT bike or are you happy to continue hurtling towards the barriers? Leave your comments in the thoughts below.
