First Flight: the brand-new 12-speed mechanical transmission from TRP – Pinkbike

First Ride: the new 12-speed mechanical transmission from TRP - Pinkbike

I want to wager my last donut that your mountain bicycle has a derailleur from a couple of brand names, both beginning with the letter S and also both sharing the marketplace for premium mountain bicycle drivetrains with essentially nobody else aware . However if you take one more action down the alphabet you’ll locate TRP, the Taiwanese brand name that has actually been placing its feet in the water because 2020 with its initial generation DH7 and also TR12 systems. While both functioned all right, they really did not make much of an influence besides the odd individual that claimed, “Huh, what sort of derailleur is that?”

TRP wants to alter that with the brand-new EVO12 and also EVO7 total drivetrains which, along with utilizing a KMC chain, are produced totally internal. That consists of 2 brand-new derailleurs, 2 shifters, their initial carbon and also light weight aluminum cranks, and also 2 cassettes, good to go to take on the very best mechanical choices from Shimano and also SRAM.

Their three-letter phrase is brief for Tektro Competing Products, the Taiwanese marque’s premium department established in 1986 and also has actually because turned into the globe’s second-largest brake manufacturer. The number of brakes, you ask? There are 6.5 million bikes generated yearly that make use of Tektro caps, which amounts to a tremendous 13 million brakes and also an approximated 3 billion brake pads, which are likewise produced in-house. While a lot of these aren’t made use of on efficiency mtb, their DHR brakes excited numerous cyclists when it was launched, including us, and also their EVO array has actually confirmed to be equally as excellent.

They currently intend to do the very same point with their brand-new 12- and also 7-speed drivetrains, and also we obtained a preview at both throughout a see to their Taichung manufacturing facility, plus a fast spin for some preliminary impacts. Remain tuned for a future picture trip of their manufacturing facility and also find out more concerning their programs listed below.

The EVO12 and also EVO7 derailleurs

The derailleur is possibly one of the most distinctive item of the brand-new EVO collection parts, specifically in the gold-colored choice that everybody must opt for. There are 2 variations, both with carbon external cages; one is a 12-speed system and also one more is for TRP’s 7-speed downhill drivetrain and also utilizes a squat cage. Both can be had in silver or gold.

Have you skilled drooping derailleur disorder? FDS is brought on by an exhausted clutch or one that had not been solid sufficient to start with, and also the outcome is normally excessive sound and also perhaps some gone down chains. TRP claimed they have actually been extremely concentrated on finishing this, and also their service is the Hall Lock, which is primarily a lever-operated web cam that uses stress to the B-knuckle pin. This is not a brand-new attribute they utilized it in 2019 yet it works. The name originates from John Hall, Aaron Gwin’s auto mechanic, that developed his very own method of securing the B-knuckle in position on Gwin’s race bikes, and also we have actually likewise listened to reports that auto mechanics were doing comparable points to Gwin’s derailleurs. various brand names also.

The web cam is a damage thing, so TRP likewise made use of a tiny collection screw that enables you to readjust the stress of the Hall Lock, although they likewise claim it must never ever require to be changed. You will certainly require to open it to make it simpler to eliminate the wheel and also certainly keep in mind to do the very same if you are setting up or eliminating it.

There’s likewise a clutch, naturally, with TRP stating it evaluates much less than the previous variation while still being functional. With one bar and also one switch to press, it’s a little bit much more fiddly to launch than SRAM’s single-button style, yet I drew it down with one hand after a couple of shots.

The various other point TRP performed in its pursuit for a silent drivetrain was turn the parallelogram a couple of levels to ensure that it relocates even more side to side than an angle to adhere to the cassette, that makes a great deal of feeling when you think of what is taking place. down there making awful jokes with the rock yards.

The EVO 12-speed derailleur evaluates 301 grams and also prices $239.99 USD in gold and also $229.99 in silver, while the DH variation sets you back $229.99 and also $219.99 USD.

EVO12 and also EVO7 shifters

The matching 12- and also 7-speed shifters include reasonably light activity, a conveniently flexible paddle, and also “MatchMaker-compatible installing,” yet it’s the almost surprise turn on the bottom that’s most attractive to me. This little person allows you pick in between making 5 equipment adjustments with one complete turning of the thumb paddle, or you can restrict the motion to simply one change with each press. It’s primarily simply an inner lock that you’re relocating, and also a little magnet holds it in position.

This makes a great deal of feeling for e-bikes where, if you’re not mindful, you can harm your drivetrain by moving with a collection of equipments while the electric motor is likewise decreasing power, yet TRP states it was in fact an asked for attribute by their e-bike racers. non-motorized downhill and also enduro.

Image on your own 10 mins right into a wild enduro phase and also, if you’re anything like me, taking a breath with your eyeballs simply attempting to maintain your spunk with each other when you involve a brief, punchy climb in the direction of completion of the phase. This is precisely the sort of circumstance where I would certainly get hold of a lot of equipments, shed all my rate, and also possibly collapse right before viewers. With the change setting button, you can make your equipment option a lot more intentional in those circumstances by securing it to a solitary click. There have actually been one-click change commands in the past, yet none that can switch over in between that and also a multi-shift setting.

Various other points to keep in mind consist of enhanced directing that sees the wire much more according to the handlebar instead of tracking out, silver or gold shade choices to match the derailleur, and also a cable television draw proportion special to TRP. Real weights are 139 grams with the clamp or 125 grams without.

Both the 12- and also 7-speed transmissions retail for $99.99 USD in silver, or $109.99 if you choose gold highlights.

Carbon and also light weight aluminum cranks, Swing chainrings

It’s not a drivetrain without a collection of crank arms, naturally, which suggested TRP needed to make and also produce their very own. First off are the brand-new carbon arms that TRP claimed, “They’re not the lightest yet they’re certainly the toughest,” a strong case each time when an increasing number of cyclists appear to be asking where they make use of carbon on their bikes. While the ISO lots examination requires 50,000 cycles, TRP checked as much as 100,000 cycles without any issues and also reached 500,000 cycles prior to falling short. Their precise words were: It’s more powerful than any kind of various other crankset on the marketplace.

They can be found in at 504 grams without the chainring or concerning 82 grams greater than the XX1 arms and also 52 grams greater than the XTR, yet TRP is certainly fairly positive in the carbon format and also pleased with the reduced weight compromise. They are readily available in 165mm or 170mm sizes and also make use of a 30mm size light weight aluminum pin that works with numerous lower braces. Incidentally, there are likewise threaded choices, PF92 and also PF30 from TRP. The created light weight aluminum crank likewise utilizes a 30mm pin and also can be provided in 165, 170 and also 175mm sizes.

For chain retention, TRP has actually certified MRP’s Wave Innovation which utilizes a rotating left-to-right pattern when checked out from above. The Wave style has actually absolutely obtained some combined evaluations throughout the years, yet TRP states they have actually maximized the style to function well with KMC chains for the tightest resistances and also optimum retention, with somewhat thicker teeth than various other brand names make use of. . This implies that if you get a whole EVO12 or EVO7 drivetrain, it will certainly include a KMC chain for “The most effective Feasible Efficiency”. That claimed, they likewise explained that there’s absolutely nothing exclusive taking place and also various other brand name chains will certainly do also, yet you will not obtain the very same storage space capacities. It’s likewise worth stating that the DH chainring utilizes a thicker crawler for extra stamina.

The carbon arms are $349.99 USD while the chainrings are $74.99 or $79.99 USD relying on the preferred coating. If you choose light weight aluminum, they’ll establish you back $149.99 USD, and also the lower brace is $41.99 USD.

EVO12 cassettes and also 7 rates

Similar to whatever else other than the chain, TRP’s brand-new cassette is produced totally within their Taichung manufacturing facility, and also they enjoyed to confess that was one of the most tough facet of making the brand-new drivetrains. Cassettes are extremely made complex, with the form of evictions, ramps and also teeth having a big impact on moving efficiency, and also TRP states it took a great deal of effort and time to obtain their efficiency to the degree they were searching for.

It’s a two-piece style, with the initial 10 gears machined from a solitary item of created steel and also both biggest gears obtaining the very same therapy yet in light weight aluminum. Steel torx screws hold both assemble, and also the outcome is an incredibly light 10-52-tooth cassette that appears at 372 grams. It’s appropriate in the very same ball park as premium cassettes from SRAM and also Shimano. The spread goes from 10-11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32-36-44-52 teeth. The 7-speed downhill variation is all steel besides the light weight aluminum talked guard and also obtains an 11-13-15-17-19-21-24 spread.

Both cassettes fit Microspline freehubs just they are not suitable with XD vehicle drivers as a result of licenses.

Initial driving impacts

I invested a grand overall of concerning a hr riding the brand-new EVO12 drivetrain, which goes to the very least a couple of months much less than I would certainly require to call this an evaluation, yet adequate time to amass some impressions of just how the team executes. It was all bolted on a brand-new Commencal Pace (side note: divine spunk, what an outstanding bike) and also the trip contained a brief climb with some high wall surfaces prior to a smooth descent that had a couple of harsh places forever procedure.

I located the shifter activity light and also the chain changes from gear to gear with an extremely favorable “ka-chung” really feel in both instructions. I made certain to move like a meathead under while toiling up those high pitches and also had no problems. I likewise adjusted the Change setting button and also need to confess I marvel that I located myself favoring single-click setting a lot greater than having the ability to run a lot of equipments at the same time.

So what does all this amount to? I’m still uncertain if I’ll require a lot longer prior to I make that phone call, yet preliminary impacts declare. My major takeaway was just how silent the transmission was; there was little to no chain rattling and also absolutely no derailleur rattling or banging as I pinballed with the rocks and also trees. While a brand-new digital drivetrain has actually simply been launched and also even more are on the perspective, TRP has actually opted for a much more conventional method for their initial set that makes a great deal of feeling. This was just suggested to be a glance at the EVO12 and also EVO7 systems, with appropriate launch and also a whole lot much more saddle time being available in concerning a month. Remain tuned for even more riding impacts and also all the technology information, plus a scenic tour of their manufacturing facility.


If the EVO12 system verifies to be as constant as their brakes, would certainly you rank it over a mechanical drivetrain from either significant gamer? Or are you most likely to stay with what you recognize?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *