HEL the braking gurus move into MTB

[weeksy]

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/first-loo ... rakes.html







HEL Performance, manufacturers of hydraulic brake systems for motorsports, are about to release a four-piston brake for DH called the Advocate. Headquartered in Devon, UK, the multinational company has poured its 30 years of manufacturing experience into the creation of a high-performance DOT fluid brake that will retail at £699.99 for the full set, including rotors, hoses and pads. That’s a fair bit more expensive than Hope’s most powerful brake, but there’s not an enormous amount in it when you consider these are sold as the complete package.

HEL are offering a complete brake system, including caliper, master cylinder, lever, braided hoses, rotors and pads (organic and sintered). Most of that is CNC-machined in-house, while the production of the pads and rotors is outsourced to a UK partner.

The master cylinder is home to a 10mm piston that displaces the fluid (DOT 4 or DOT 5.1). The lever has a rather unique design with a groove down the center along its full length, and a few extra dimples added around the point where one's finger would rest. The bite point is not adjustable, but the lever reach is, and it's a tool-free affair.

The Advocate caliper is home to four stainless steel pistons; two are 15mm in diameter, and two are 17mm in diameter, so a little smaller than the pistons inside the Maven caliper. They have a castellated shape that is said to improve heat dissipation. The caliper is compatible with 1.8-2.3mm thick rotors.

The bleed ports on the caliper and master cylinder are said to be of a standard dimension, with a recess provided for an o-ring; thus, they can be bled with a standard bleed kit.

Those keen to part with their money must wait until November/December. When the time comes, you'll be able to select the color (10 options) of each and every billet aluminum component of the brake system: master cylinder body, lever blade, reservoir lid, bar clamp and caliper body - and see a 3D render of the result on the HEL website before committing. The customization is standard, not something you pay extra for.

[Mr Moofo]

They look very bling
1) What's the stopping power like?
2) Can you do bite point adjust?
3) Do they fade?
4) Who makes pads for them?
5) How much?

[weeksy]

1. Apparently excellent
2. Sorta but sorta
3. I'd hope not
4. Saint pads
5. £700 all in for full pair and rotors

[mangocrazy]

So - downsize the parts from an equivalent motorcycle setup and charge half as much again (roughly). Sounds like a pretty profitable business model.

And the master cylinder's not even radial.

[mboy]

Emailed them earlier...

Already responded with a bit more information...

I expect a pair of these will adorn my eBike soon...

[weeksy]

Emailed them earlier...

Already responded with a bit more information...

I expect a pair of these will adorn my eBike soon...

Funny you say that.... i'm hoping after their email reply that the boy may be running a set one day too

I will message you later actually about some tyre stuff as it's that time of year again

[MingtheMerciless]

They look a bit "prototype" to me. I wonder how well they will last? I prefer the look of Mavens.

[weeksy]

They look a bit "prototype" to me. I wonder how well they will last? I prefer the look of Mavens.

Reading up on the Mavens they seem to be quite 'fussy' in terms of working correctly. They seem to be quite tricky to get and keep right. This is why i love the Code RSC, we set and forget. Every now and again as he wears the pads he'll dial in the bite point, but it's a fair few weeks usually before needing much in the way of tweaking. Then a quick bleed when he gets new pads in and we're off again.

[Timmy]

£700? Hahahaha, the cycle industry is a very profitable joke.

[weeksy]

£700? Hahahaha, the cycle industry is a very profitable joke.

Well SRAM Maven are that, Hope Tech4 with braided and rotor are that, Trickstuff are WAY more. So for what you get it's not terrible (potentially).

Don't forget, these are not aimed at a Carrera Fury or a B-Twin bike, these are top end products aimed at people who want and can afford the best on the market.

[MingtheMerciless]

They look a bit "prototype" to me. I wonder how well they will last? I prefer the look of Mavens.

Reading up on the Mavens they seem to be quite 'fussy' in terms of working correctly. They seem to be quite tricky to get and keep right. This is why i love the Code RSC, we set and forget. Every now and again as he wears the pads he'll dial in the bite point, but it's a fair few weeks usually before needing much in the way of tweaking. Then a quick bleed when he gets new pads in and we're off again.

Oh that’s a bit boring, the Guides on the Curtis and the Codes on Mrs M’s Levo are pretty much install and forget. I was hoping the Mavens would be the same, are you seeing any on the race circuit yet for real world feedback?

[weeksy]

They look a bit "prototype" to me. I wonder how well they will last? I prefer the look of Mavens.

Reading up on the Mavens they seem to be quite 'fussy' in terms of working correctly. They seem to be quite tricky to get and keep right. This is why i love the Code RSC, we set and forget. Every now and again as he wears the pads he'll dial in the bite point, but it's a fair few weeks usually before needing much in the way of tweaking. Then a quick bleed when he gets new pads in and we're off again.

Oh that’s a bit boring, the Guides on the Curtis and the Codes on Mrs M’s Levo are pretty much install and forget. I was hoping the Mavens would be the same, are you seeing any on the race circuit yet for real world feedback?

TBH mate you don't get a lot of time to chat with people outside of your circle of friends in the paddock. Certainly not often with the Pro riders who are the ones most likely to have them. You're always cleaning/sorting/feeding/clothing/something with your own rider or his mates. Then in the evenings the bikes are put away and then you're socialising...