The TRP R950 Carbon brakes are constructed using carbon fiber wrapped around a specially designed aluminum substructure. By using both carbon fiber and aluminum, TRP is able to take advantage of the manufacturing qualities of each material to create a brake that is lightweight, stiff and durable. TRP adds to the lightweight and performance aspect of the R950s by including ultra sticky Kool-Stop dual-compound pads and titanium hardware.

TECH
The TRP brake features a dual-pivot caliper with Teflon bushings. As with most dual-caliper brakes, the R950 features a release lever, cable-adjustment and caliper-centering screws. The Kool-Stop brake pads feature a rim-matching, curved braking surface to increase stopping power and help modulation. We were impressed with the quality finish of the carbon fiber as well as the weight, which at 280 grams a set ranks as one of the lightest in the industry. The calipers give the impression that they are full carbon, but in fact, they are carbon fiber wrapped around an aluminum skeleton. While this makes sense from an engineering standpoint, it takes away some of the mystique that initially surrounded the brakes. Adjustment was easy, and the titanium hardware is precision-machined, which adds a quality feel when setting up the R950s. The TRP R950s weigh 280 grams per set.

RBA SAYS
The TRP brakes put on a good show. On the road, test riders felt that the R950s were equal in stopping power to the Shimano Dura-Ace or SRAM Force brakes that we used for comparison. More than one test rider commented about the smooth modulation and solid feel of the brakes.

These are attributes that we credit to the ultra sticky Kool-Stop pads as much as the brakes themselves. Their curved braking surface, dual-compound pads, and ultra stiff brake arms allow the rider to easily control the amount of braking force being applied to the rims. Even under hard braking, it was easy to feel the point at which the brakes were going to lock, and keep the bike under control. The TRP R950s worked well in both wet and dry conditions. The only negative feedback came when we switched the brakes to a time trial bike with aero brake levers and full-length cable housing. In this configuration, the R950’s return-springs felt overwhelmed, especially the rear brake. This created a soft feel at the lever and a slow brake lever return. Despite the soft feel at the handlebar, stopping performance remained excellent.

With the R950s, TRP has created a brake that matches the performance of the best on the market. In doing so they have pushed carbon fiber to the forefront of yet another sector of the
market.

PRICE: $289
WEIGHT: 280 grams (per set)
CONTACT: www.trpbrakes.com