Shimano have launch a Tiagra-level hydraulic disc brake, to sit alongside the Japanese firm’s existing Ultegra and 105 hydraulic disc options and the recently-announced Sora mechanical disc brake.
Shimano’s fourth-tier Tiagra 4700 groupset has already been updated for 2016, introducing a host of features found further up the range, first on the top-level Dura-Ace gruppo, before trickling down through Ultegra and 105. It’s why it made this year’s RCUK 100.
The revamped ten-speed groupset includes a four-arm chainset and internal cable routing for the shifters. Now riders have the options of swapping Tiagra’s traditional rim brakes for disc brakes.
The Tiagra BR-RS405 caliper is a flat-mount unit – the standard introduced by Shimano last year, which sees the brake caliper mounted directly to the frame, reportedly providing a stronger connection and cleaner interface, as well as improved alignment.
It’s an open standard, with SRAM jumping on board soon after, while Campagnolo are developing both post-mount and flat-mount options for their recently-revealed – but yet to be launched – hydraulic disc brakes.
The caliper will be paired with the mechanical shifting, hydraulic braking ST-RS405 lever, and SM-RT81-S/SS 140mm or 160mm rotors, which continue to use Shimano’s ICE cooling system, designed to dissipate heat and provide consistent braking performance.
Having launched a Sora-level mechanical disc brake earlier this year, the only obvious gap in Shimano’s road disc line-up is at the very top – however, the new Dura-Ace groupset, expected this year, will include a flagship hydro disc offering, according to Velo News.
We’ll have to wait and see on that one, but what we do know is that Shimano’s Tiagra BR-RS405 hydraulic disc system will be available from July 2016. UK pricing is TBC.
Website: Shimano
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