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Hello all
My friend has a Dutch e-cargo trike thing. The two front wheels have hydraulic brakes operated from one lever.
The few times I have ridden it I've found it pretty terrifying. That was when it was working properly!
It's been sat in her garage all summer and today she's found the brakes are only working on one side, causing her to nearly crash.
I've taken a look and it seems the pistons are probably sticking on one side. Pushing them back into the caliper does nothing and they gradually push back out by themselves.
They are Tektro Auriga Twin, and look pretty low budget with zero means of adjustment, so it isn't possible to balance the two sides at all.
Is it going to be worth the hassle of cleaning them up and bleeding them?
If she has to just replace them, are there any other options to consider?
Hope do a twin system.
I did see that but it really needs to be a single lever operating the two calipers simultaneous and equally otherwise the bike is very unstable and significantly more deathtrappy!
Pushing them back into the caliper does nothing and they gradually push back out by themselves.
Can you explain that because the way it reads contradicts itself.
Do you mean the seal is stretching? If so you just need to clean it up so it slides again and it'll be fine. Power is a whole other question though.
I've found the whole lot can be bought here
I did wonder if there was a cable operated equivalent that might offer more adjustment and be easier to maintain in the future
Hope do a single lever, double caliper setup, called the UNO, Tech 3 lever and 2 X2 calipers for about £290ish
Two bike calipers and a motorbike M/cyl from something with a suitable but not too crazy bore and stroke?
We have some disability trikes at the charity where i volunteer. They run a Shimano mtb rear lever that connects to 2x Magura 2 piston calipers.
Im back on fri and can see what model the calipers are if you would like?
Ian
Ah, probably one of these shimano/Magura systems: https://www.tartybikes.co.uk//hydraulic_disc_brakes/magura_shimano_twin_caliper_hydraulic_disc_brake/c558p13126.html?cookie_all=1&cookie_refresh=1
No experience to report, this just came up as I was googling.
Thanks all, those hope brakes certainly would be the best performing option although she will get a shock at the cost I think
Can you explain that because the way it reads contradicts itself.
I could see one of the pistons (on the caliper that doesn't appear to be braking as much) is stuck way out. I tried to push it back in but they slowly creep back out.
I suspect it's a combination of the whole system needing a good bleed and being super spongy, and needing to hold the pistons on the other caliper as well (which I wasn't able to do without some help or removing the whole lot)
Hope do a twin system.
Doesn't that still mean if one caliper seizes the op will have the same problem?
Same with the T piece....?
Was on top of a French alp the other day and they had downhill trikes.... Was so tempted, but in the end didn't give it a go.
They had a left brake for the left rear and a right brake for the right rear. Seemed kinda drift-tastic.... No front brake, though.
Here's her bike (hope this doesn't break stw)
@goldfish24 that looks like a very good option thank you!
@breninbeener thanks it would be useful to know what those guys are using and how they find it, especially if anyone has some like the Shimano system goldfish linked to
Doesn’t that still mean if one caliper seizes the op will have the same problem?
Same with the T piece….?
Oh bloody hell, its Mr negative 😆 😆
Dieter made one a week or two ago: https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/back-from-the-dead-2-brakes-1-lever/
The calipers need servicing. The pistons need to be cleaned and lubed with some brake fluid. Then they need to be bled and filled with the correct amount of fluid. It may be easier to just replace the sticky caliper.
Just service or replace the calipers. Mines got a normal tektro lever and a T piece. Works fine.
I did see that but it really needs to be a single lever operating the two calipers simultaneous and equally otherwise the bike is very unstable and significantly more deathtrappy!
My recumbent trike has separate levers left and right for cable disks. It's not deathtrappy - or at least I have not died yet. My upright trike has two brakes on the front wheel from separate levers. There are a few two-to-one options. I'd replace the callipers first.
Are both calipers inboard? the Hope ones wont work anyway in that case as they're both designed to be mounted on the left of the rotor