Salsa Warbird brake upgrade
 

I have a 2019 Salsa Warbird with TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes. It's pretty nice, but I have been having issues with cubital tunnel syndrome in my right arm (getting tingling in my pinky and ring finger). The mechanical levers aren't too hard to pull, but I think having a lighter pull action would help. Was thinking TRP HY/RD calipers, has anyone tried these on a Warbird? The rear caliper is inside the rear triangle, and I've read good things about the HY/RDs, but also that there might be clearance issues for bikes like the Warbird on the rear. Anybody with a Warbird try these?

Dave

Juin Tech, and some others with the same design, also have cable hybrid brake calipers that are smaller than TRP's. Both 2 and 4 piston versions.

Thanks for the tip, I'll have to look at that too. Would the feel be similar to a full hydraulic system?

Dave

Not as easy to pull as a full hydraulic, sort of in the middle. It really comes down to these most common brakes, note that there are some other off / no name brands out there.

Cable Only Options

• Avid BB7
• TRP Spyre/Spyke
• Paul Klampers
• Growtac (newest on the market)

Cable Pull Hydraulic (hybrid)

• TRP HY/RD
• Juin Tech / Yokozuna / + a few other clones

Full Hydraulic

• Too many to list.

Don't think just because it's hydraulic it's better. A lot of people, myself included, like Paul Klampers more, but they are expensive and weigh more. I haven't tried Growtac. Full hydraulic should have an easier lever pull though, more like an on off in my experience.

I too have the TRP Spyres - a nice reliable brake that can be dialed-in using the adjustment screw on each side.

I also have a full hydraulic SRAM brake system on a new gravel bike. The full hydraulic SRAM is an easier pull effort to get the same stopping power - and greater stopping power is available if needed. Not a gigantic difference, but noticeable.

HOWEVER, one annoying quality of many (most?) full hydraulic road brakes is that the calipers ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE like the Spyres. The only way to stop the disc from rubbing the brake pads - and creating an intermittent singing sound as you ride along - is to physically loosen the bolts that hold the caliper to the frame and try to tweak it. And/or you can tweak the disc using an adjustable wrench.

It took me several attempts to rid the front wheel of my new gravel bike of the disc sing. And if your wheels are not built robustly, the disc might start singing all over again when you stand and rock the bike while climbing - or hit a pothole.

I've read good reviews of the TRP HY/RDs and the Juin Techs. I don't know if these systems have caliper adjustment mechanisms. With these brakes you can probably reuse the levers, housings, and maybe the cables you already have. Make sure you get the proper mounting hardware.

Good Luck!

I've had Juin Techs on two gravel bikes, including my current bike. I like them a lot. They do have a caliper adjustment screw.