Bicycle Gear News That Could Be True But Probably Isn’t (or, actually, in this case Probably Is)
A ton of text has been typed about Tektro Racing Products’ (TRP) efforts at producing competitive high-performance mountain bike drivetrains and World Cup DH worthy brake systems but I’ve yet to read anything about the virtually-insidious backroom planning that is allowing them to slowly, but surely, swallow the bottom end of the OE market for hydraulic brakes.
From almost-a-grand commuters & hardtails to folks spending a few thousand dollars for an entry-level, off-road worthy, full-suspension bike, Tektro’s budget mineral oil brake systems are becoming ubiquitous. Their simple sales pitch to bicycle-brand product managers is so straightforward it’s a wonder they have a marketing department at all. Here, for the first time, an exclusive look at how they do it.
And I know what you’re thinking, that’s simple. It has to be payola right? Kompromat? Nepotism? Gwin? And the answer to all those guesses is “NOPE.” As uncommon as it may be, Tektro is actually winning sales on the merits of their design philosophy:
“Cheap Brakes. Nothing To Whine About.“
Even with their super-sexy naming conventions, it’s not like a budget Tektro brake system like an M275 or M276 is going to blow your socks off. Then again, neither is a Shimano M315 nor a SRAM Level. Durability wise they’re all a wash too and while the bleeding process may differ none of these systems requires a Ph.D. in Fluid Dynamics to purge air out of it.
The brand is relying on a secret blend of low-cost black metal and plastic construction, pink mineral oil for fluid, and the most common brake pads on the market combined together with actual heat-treated stainless steel rotors. That’s right, none of the ‘Resin-Only’ slowing-not-stopping crap that Shimano is pushing at this price point.
To Sum Up Their Sales Secrets:
- Uses the most common disc brake pads on the planet: Shimano B01S (Resin), or E01S (Sintered), or a plethora of aftermarket equivalents.
- Uses environmentally-more-friendly, home mechanic more-friendly mineral oil. Fluid interchangeable with readily available Shimano mineral oil.
- Big enough brand to support products with tools/parts globally both directly and through distribution partners.
- Proper stainless steel rotors – use with Resin or Sintered pads.
- Cheap to replace.
This magical five-point mix minimizes the chance that a bicycle-brand product manager will ever have to hear a dealer, sales rep, bike reviewer or an end-user customer/rider complain about their choice of brake spec and that’s as close to a sure thing as you can get in the business of budget-performance mountain and commuter bicycles.
And if you’re thinking, wow, worst Bicycle Enquirer ever this is probably exactly what’s happening. Yeah, sometimes the truth is lamer than fiction. But if it’s this f***ing simple why aren’t all the big brake brands doing it for their budget stoppers?
