You is perhaps questioning why TRP (or anybody) would hassle with the event and manufacturing prices to carry a totally fashionable, feature-rich mechanical drivetrain to market when every part round them goes electrical. And never simply electrical; wi-fi. Even many frames are opting to be “wi-fi solely”, shedding the cable ports crucial to put in mechanical teams on them.
However you then would possibly keep in mind that driving a stick shift automotive remains to be a complete lot of freakin’ enjoyable. And never having to fret about batteries being charged is good. And generally you’re constructing a motorbike for somebody (a partner, or child, for instance) who doesn’t give a crap about wi-fi and would by no means cost their batteries however you need them to have good components as a result of good components make the expertise higher for them.
For all of these causes and extra, a extremely good mechanical groupset nonetheless makes quite a lot of sense. So, maybe, TRP realized that the market remains to be there, however the competitors is leaving, and subsequently a door has opened.
My hypothesis is (and there are indicators that I’m proper) that plenty of folks nonetheless desire a good mechanical mountain bike group.
After driving the brand new TRP EVO 12 group for a while, I’d say we’ve discovered it. Right here’s why, plus precise weights for every half…
TRP EVO 12 precise weights
Left to proper:
- Crankarms – 502g (w/boots, 170mm)
- Chainring – 82g (32-tooth)
- Cassette – 374g (10-52, Microspline suitable)
- Chain – 273g (uncut, w/ fast hyperlinks, KMC)
- Backside Bracket – 89g (BSA for 30mm spindles)
- Rear Derailleur – 301g
- Shifter – 142g (w/ cable)
- Shifter Mount – 13g (w/bolt)
I paired the group with TRP DH-R EVO brakes, that are phenomenal. Large energy and nice modulation. Suggestions is acceptable and drama-free, and the facility comes on very linearly, making them straightforward to modulate. That is my second bike with them and I extremely advocate them. Weights are:
- Calipers w/ uncut hoses – 201g (per wheel, prefilled with Mineral Oil)
- Levers – 132g to 133g (pre-filled with Mineral Oil)
TRP ships all brake calipers with the identical size hose, therefore the similar weights for each calipers. Meaning only one single SKU per mannequin, which makes it simpler for them to ship and for outlets to inventory…simply minimize to size. Levers are directional, although, so you’ll want to order a left and proper…and a very good bleed equipment if you happen to’ll be servicing them your self (TRP’s bleed equipment isn’t nice).
I ended up going with the Middle Lock rotors, however weighed two 6-bolt rotors additionally.
- 223mm 6-Bolt Rotor – 268g (2.3mm thick)
- 203mm 6-Bolt Rotor – 239g (2.3mm thick)
- 203mm Middle Lock Rotor – 191g (2.3mm thick)
- Rotor Bolts x6 – 13g
- Rotor Lockrings – 9g every
Notes concerning the rotors:
- TRP makes 1.8mm thick rotors in all variants, too, however I (and so they) advocate the thicker 2.3mm fashions for higher warmth administration, particularly for e-bikes. They’re stiffer, too, so there’s much less likelihood of vibration squeal.
- I used the Middle Lock rotors with a 203mm entrance and a last-minute swap to a 180mm rear to save lots of just a few grams (didn’t weigh it). Chasing Cody Kelley down ultra-steep ninja trails in Park Metropolis had me rethinking that, however for the remainder of my rides, this mixed-size setup was advantageous.
- The 2 Middle Lock lockrings are the 2 requirements available on the market, one utilizing a cassette lock ring device and one a BB device. The smaller one which makes use of a cassette lockring device will solely work for 12mm through axles…bigger 15mm through axles (like these on MTB forks) received’t match by means of it. So, for MTBs, greatest to simply use matching units of the larger ones.
TRP EVO 12 tech & options
The TRP EVO 12 group is available in silver and gold, with these colours displaying on the cassette cogs plus graphics and items throughout the entire parts. You’ll be able to colour match both with their DH-R EVO brakes, too.
I opted for silver as a result of it matches this colorway on Fezzari’s La Sal Peak enduro bike. TRP’s U.S. HQ is in Utah, simply down the highway from ENVE and Fezzari, so I labored with each manufacturers to get the rolling chassis constructed. I’ve reviewed the La Sal Peak earlier than, however I’ll sprinkle just a few notes in right here, too. The truth that I requested to make use of it as a platform for this construct ought to say loads. The ENVE wheels are the Basis Sequence AM30 MTB wheels, which simply dropped in value and provide an distinctive deal on an excellent wheelset. Search for a separate evaluate of these and different bits from this bike quickly.
TRP’s EVO 12 cranksets are available carbon and alloy variations. I’m testing the carbon ones and, like all carbon cranksets, driving in mud and stuff will tough up the floor.
Fortuitously, TRP covers the outer face with a protecting tape that’s holding up properly. Rubber endcap boots are included and have prolonged decrease protection to guard them if you happen to pedal into/onto a rock.
The chainrings are available 30/32/34 tooth counts and use a direct mount design. The tooth alternate with a wave sample (like MRP’s chainrings) somewhat than a narrow-wide profile. It really works nice, particularly at the side of the twin chain-retention options on the rear derailleur.
All fashionable MTB derailleurs have a clutch, however TRP takes it additional. The carbon fiber pulley cage mounts to their silent clutch, which prevents it from bouncing round. Then the Corridor Lock prevents all the derailleur physique from rotating across the mounting bolt.
To launch the chain stress for wheel swaps, there’s a two-part Cage Lock lever. Pull the small lever outward to take away the pin from the outlet within the cage…that’s what locks it into the clutch. Then flip the large lever as much as launch the clutch and the cage dangles freely…
…including slack to the chain.
Even with the pulley cage held tight by the clutch, the derailleur can nonetheless pivot across the mounting bolt. Why? As a result of they began out making their excessive finish derailleurs with a 7-speed downhill model.
TRP tapped Aaron Gwin to assist take a look at it, and he discovered that the derailleur motion was sufficient to make noise on rougher downhill tracks. In order that they added the Corridor Lock, named for Gwin’s mechanic John Corridor, which tightens the B-knuckle across the bolt, eliminating it’s means to pivot.
The shifters add one other distinctive characteristic. The lever for downshifts (to a better gear) has an adjustable angle, just like higher-end SRAM set off shifters. However it additionally provides a small change that permits you to select single- or multi-shifts. Select single shifts for e-bikes the place you don’t need to jam up the chain by attempting to maneuver throughout as much as 5 cogs directly underneath excessive torque. However I favor multi-shift for normal bikes, letting you push it additional to get extra shifts directly.
The paddles are giant, straightforward to search out, and have sufficient texture. It wouldn’t harm in the event that they had been a bit rougher or had extra friction, however I by no means had a finger slip off, even when driving a moist path (however not within the rain, so can’t actually communicate to shifting once they and my gloves are soaking moist).
The one minor situation I’ve is that there’s not a ton of house between the principle paddle and my grip. That creates a considerably tight house for giant thumbs or unfastened gloves attempting to achieve the discharge set off. I think about thick winter gloves may need extra of an issue, however it’ll additionally rely in your grip diameter.
The shifter may be mounted with the brake lever’s mounted mounting bracket utilizing a MatchMaker-style adapter, however I selected to make use of a standalone mount to present me extra flexibility in adjusting each independently of one another.
Discover anything? The shifter’s cable routing runs parallel to the bar, not out at an angle, so it’ll look good and clear on fashionable frames with stealth routing, too. You’ll be able to think about the place their brakes are heading…
TRP EVO 12 journey evaluate
My first likelihood to journey the TRP EVO 12 group was in Taiwan on the launch. There, I rode an Intense Primer, an XC/Path bike on a brief XC-ish singletrack loop.
The remainder have been on the Fezzari, an extended journey 170mm enduro bike on greater, rougher trails. It’s a gaggle designed to work properly on any of these bikes, from short- to long-travel, XC to Enduro. And it does.
First cease, Park Metropolis, Utah, for decent laps with the TRP crew and their sponsored enduro racer, Cody Kelley. Ripping descents is enjoyable and an excellent take a look at of the derailleur and chainring’s means to maintain the chain in place, however the group’s actual job is to shift properly and propel you ahead.
Utah’s bountiful path networks make you earn these turns with lengthy climbs, filled with chunk and unfastened bits. The TRP group shifted confidently underneath stress with a refreshingly sharp mechanical really feel. They don’t make the chain, that’s from KMC, but it surely all works properly collectively.
Shifts are exact and principally clean. There’s a trace of… one thing. It looks like possibly the tooth shaping on the cassette cogs may use a hair extra refinement. It’s not honest to name it tough. It’s positively not clunky; removed from it.
Evaluating it to Shimano’s mechanical shifting isn’t honest both because the Japanese large has spent a long time making theirs supremely silky. I nearly didn’t need to point out it, as a result of I additionally kinda prefer it. Let’s name it… persona.
All that stated, the nutshell model is that this: It shifts nice, is tremendous steady, and may even shift properly underneath energy on a climb. In case you’re used to a different mechanical group, it’s going to really feel totally different. Not fairly as well mannered as Shimano, however possibly extra direct? Similar to SRAM XO, simply…totally different, with some intelligent options.
Aspect notice: The La Sal Peak’s body handles the entire torque of unseated climbing properly, effectively turning it into ahead movement with none twisting or flex. That’s vital with 12-speed teams as a result of the house between cogs has gotten so tight (and why manufacturers are pushing digital shifting that received’t change over time), that any body flex may trigger irritable shifting efficiency or ghost shifting.
As with all mechanical group, you’ll want to regulate for “cable stretch” by means of the primary few rides. I’ve, and since then shifting has remained spot on.
My second large outing with this bike was a few days Vermont’s unimaginable (and extremely huge) path community. The terrain couldn’t be extra totally different from Utah, buying and selling dry mud for moist filth, filled with rocks and roots.
Vermont additionally has mountains, with sustained technical climbs filled with switchbacks and punchy steeps that require plenty of shifting.
As a lot as I really like the short little launch lever on SRAM set off shifters (and I do like it), its throw is so quick that I typically double faucet it on tough sections. That by no means occurred with the TRP shifter, each the lever and set off have simply the correct amount of throw (to not quick, not too lengthy), with a pleasant tactile click on confirming every downshift.
Grinding up the climbs within the 52-tooth cog was quiet and drama free. It was straightforward to get into that gear and toggle between the higher three because the climbs gave me quick respites.
It had rained loads the week earlier than I arrived, and a lightweight mist got here down on my final day. All the shifting components received moist and just a little muddy, however every part stayed quiet, even the brakes.
Between rocks, roots, drops, and jumps, I gave the bike loads of probabilities to drop a series, but it surely’s by no means occurred.
I’ll have the TRP EVO 12 group on this bike for a very long time to return. I’ll replace this publish with any new impressions or adjustments. So far I’ve been impressed, and never simply in an “aaaah, it’s a very good first effort” sort of means.
I’m impressed in a “Dang, that’s a properly thought out group with neat options that performs very well” means.
In case you’re constructing a motorbike from scratch, or upgrading, and like mechanical, it’s price contemplating. Weights are aggressive, pricing is sweet, and it really works nice…what’s to not like?
A whole group in silver is $1,244 (with carbon cranks, $1,044 with alloy cranks). Gold components add about $50 to the overall. TRP Biking’s on-line drivetrain builder makes it tremendous straightforward to pick out colours/choices and purchase it, too.
