[edit] Echo Control CNC Rim Brake

Echo CNC Brake

The echo CNC rim brake is a hydraulic brake system created to rival the long standing Magura HS33. However this brake has been specifically designed for trials, whereas the Magura had been adapted for use in trials. This means that certain changes could be made to make this brake more suitable for use in trials. These changes include:

• Making the cylinders smaller so that they do not contact with riders ankles as well as making the brake lighter.
• Positioning the TPA (or turbo pad adjuster) so that it doesn't get hit.
• Full 6061-T6 construction rather then cast aluminium making the brakes theoretically stronger.
• Pinned lever blade pivot is held in place by a grub screw stopping it from working itself loose.
• Main hose construction is plastic, with a kevlar reinforced centre, making it much tougher than standard plastic hose.
• Hose attaches to the lever body close to the bars, making it improbable that the hose will be hit.
• Pin in the brake cylinders are much smaller, making them stronger and stiffer as well as preventing them from scraping against the rim when pads are worn down.
• Better range of adjustment thanks to the large clamping regions on the actual cylinders.

[edit] Review - by Dan6061

Brake works so nicely compared to my previous HS33. After having the Magura bled with water since i've had it, I started to see the effects it has on the brake. The pistons in the brake do need to be lubed up every once in a while, but because they're just plastic, they're not going to seize up straight away with a water bleed. The main cylinder pistons got really lazy, and no mater how much time I spent servicing them, they wouldn't work. They got replaced, and all was fine. Soon after that (maybe before?) the lever piston seized up, and I broke it trying to remove and service it, so that got replaced. - All was fine. Now it's happened again, the lever's had it, wobbles about a lot, even with full TPA, and the bolt done up.

Anyway... After a good £135, and a day to wait, it arrived. - Ordered from Selectbikes. Got a free T-Shirt. =]

Soon got it on, and it was fine. Due to having a fairly wide frame (Zona Zip) and a fairly wide rim (older Kris Holm) even with the cylinders being right the way in, the lever pulls a bit too far for my liking. This is because the cylinders are smaller than HS33's for better crank clearence. (Says it up there^^^) So it's a bit of an arse to set up, but only if you'll be in a similar situation. Tensile's 'off-set' Magura mounts will be fine for this.

The lever blade is quite nice, I got the Echo one. It's a bit too square where your finger goes, but I did have an '04 Magura Lever before, and I have an XTR lever for the front, both of which are nice and round. So it's a bit harsh on the finger... The actual lever itself is really nice. It has the vertical piston like the newer HS33's, which does make the brake feel a lot more responsive, due to the lever being pushed straight up.

The whole brake feels really solid, at a guess it's because it's fully CNC'd instead of cast aluminium which the Magura's are.

I think i'll keep this one bled with mineral oil to make it last.

All in all, i'd say the brake's a lot better than a Magura. Please Note: This is only my opinion. I think it's just about worth the £135 I paid. Seeing as it comes with Zoo/Echo/Adamant pads, Echo/Zoo/blah... mounts, fully CNC'd, better hosing, better everything, compared to a £60 HS33.

[edit] See Also

Magura HS33