The TRP e-MTB Evo E2.3 brakes offer excellent, consistent braking coupled with a solid brake feel. They are a great option if you have high demands on your brakes - they felt exactly the same every ride, whatever the weather, with only pad wear changing that. The downside for some riders will be the big levers and a slight weight penalty due to the all-around robust build and wider discs.
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TRP e-MTB Evo E2.3 Brake Spec
Personally, I like the glossy black moto-style look; it's functional and purposeful. The clamp is solid and allows the levers to be removed without taking off the grips or other controls, with its simple hinged design.
The calliper has the same practical look; solid and purposeful without being too basic. You can dial in the lever reach to suit your preferences. I found brake pad life more than reasonable with the supplied performance resin pads with minimal to no squealing. The callipers have an open-top that allows easy inspection of the pads, and replacing pads is straightforward.
Weight-wise, they aren't light, even at the more robust end of the market - 338g for a lever, calliper and hose. The levers are a great shape with a pronounced hook that is perfect for one-finger braking, coupled with small dimples to aid grip. Out on the trail, they encouraged me to ride using one finger for braking nearly all the time, but for smaller hands, they might feel large and cumbersome.
The standard pads provided offered a decent balance between braking power and pad life; a full metal pad offered that lasted a little longer for trail conditions when quicker wear is more common.
TRP e-MTB Evo E2.3 Brake On Test
Riding with the TRP e-MTB Evo E2.3 brakes reassuringly consistent, they performed the same all the time. However, this isn't to say they are perfect. The lever can feel a little wooden at times; some may say very wooden, and could perhaps use a little more refinement with a cam or function like Shimano Servo Wave.
Some differences in the e-MTB Evo to most other brakes are the thicker 2.3mm rotors, which claim to decrease heat build-up and warping of the disc. The downside is a fair bit more weight, but the upshot is not getting any fade, even on long, varied and demanding descents. The thicker rotor helps keep the brake cool and adds to the tough overall feel of the e-MTB Evos.
The 5mm thick hose provided was easy to cut, install and bleed - they remained like new for the five months I have been riding with them. This again adds some weight and has to balance against the plus sides of reliability and longevity. Weight is essentially the crux of the brake - it's heavier, and the lever is quite big, but it's reliable. For me, and rocky, steep and tech-based riding, I want that reliability and assurance that the brake is just going to work consistently.
The four-pot design provides a robust, consistent and reliable brake feel, it's got a very definite bite point, and I like that reassuring point where the brakes are most definitely fully locked.
TRP e-MTB Evo E2.3 Brake Verdict
The glossy black aluminium body and levers appear pretty chunky, and the plastic reservoir lid makes them look a little basic. They perhaps lack the visual refinement of other brake brands due to the simple graphics, but this is an aesthetic issue and not a performance one.
I like the TRP e-MTB Evo brakes, but they aren't without their downsides; they're weighty with large levers, resulting in a slightly wooden feel. It should be considered that despite the £180 mid-range price, the rotors are £30 each and specific to the TRP brake. I feel that they offer easy home servicing, totally reliable and powerful braking from the start, and despite lacking the refinement and aesthetic styling of others, they are a decent choice for more challenging riding.
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