Trickstuff
Trickstuff Piccola HD Titanium Disc Brake Set
Overview
The Piccola HD Titanium is a fine example of brake exotica. With light yet strong 3D printed titanium levers, four pistons and an impressive hydraulic ratio of 9mm at the pump piston to 14/17mm in the calliper, it's capable of commanding some serious power.
Key Features
- A weight saving but seriously effective braking system
- 9mm pump piston and 4 x hollow 14/17 stainless steel brake calliper pistons crank up the power
- Pressure resistant, smooth sliding POM plastic pump pistons
- Rigid C42 brake calliper with preloaded steel yoke bolts
- Master cylinder and calliper made from hardy, low-friction anodised CNC 7075 aluminium, post mount brake calliper mount
- With pressure-resistant Kevlar hose, connected to brake pump by an angled fitting
- With 3D printed, side specific titanium brake levers
- Secured to handlebar with CNC clamp.
- Linear lever power transmission translates finger force into consistent braking force
- 850 Power+ brake pads produce decisive action
- Re-usable, screw-on fittings allow cable length adjustment without spares
- With organic Bionol brake fluid
- Weighs 442g, 230g rear brake plus 212g front brake
Product information
You have 30 days to return your item from when it reaches you
If you wish to return a product under warranty, please see our Saddleback Warranty Information page for more information.
- Standard delivery (3-5 working days) - £3.50
- Express delivery (1-2 working days) £4.99
For more information on delivery times and prices click here.
Holiday shipping deadlines
To receive your order before the 25th, please place it by Friday, December 19th. We’ll continue shipping through December 24th, but orders placed after December 19th may not arrive until after the holidays.
Holiday office & service hours
Dec 25th – Jan 1st
Office Closed – our team will be offline during this time (no phone or email support)
Tue, Dec 30th
Limited Shipping – warehouse will be processing limited orders (delivery expected Jan 2nd or later)
Fri, Jan 2nd
Back to normal – phone and email support are open again
The Piccola HD Titanium is a fine example of brake exotica. With light yet strong 3D printed titanium levers, four pistons and an impressive hydraulic ratio of 9mm at the pump piston to 14/17mm in the calliper, it's capable of commanding some serious power.
This impressive power, combined with the new levers, which are not only naturally corrosion resistant but partially hollow, makes the brake set one of the lightest on the market. Durability isn't lacking, though, as the levers are created layer by layer, through a process called additive manufacturing, to ensure they're shaped for stress resistance in the places where it's most needed and tuned to offer optimum strength with minimum weight through their honeycomb structure.
Meticulously engineered, so that the braking force is transmitted proportionally from the brake lever to the brake system, the Piccola HD Titanium will reach full braking effect as soon as the pressure point is reached, with the force increasing steadily as increased pressure is applied to the levers. This gives a predictable braking force, making it easier to fine tune the feel of the brake to match your riding style.
The lightweight levers use four bearings, two in the main pivot and two for the connecting rod, to achieve as little friction as possible during lever pull, for increased braking precision, minimal axial play in the lever and a predictive development of force.
Each lever is crafted from powdered titanium, meaning there's minimal wastage during the production process and they display excellent fracture resistance. Their grippy surface texture from this process makes them easy to handle, even without gloves, while the body of the brake is held onto the bar with a strong CNC clamp that perfectly matches the look of the Piccola HD.
The C42 callipers use heat resistant, hollow stainless-steel pistons that absorb and release buildup, along with a high-pressure resistant Kevlar hose, and the brake set is powered by Trickstuff's Bionol.
This organic vegetable oil has a very low viscosity and flows easily through the system, facilitating smooth running. It has a high dry boiling point, which ensures consistent stopping power on long descents and less susceptibility to performance changes at low temperatures, as does the natural heat resistance of the hollow, stainless steel pistons.
The finishing touch to the brake set is the use of Trickstuff's Power+ pads, which give impressive braking power with excellent fading stability and precise modulation. Their nickel-coated back paint not only has excellent anti-corrosive properties but makes them stand out, like the rest of your Piccola HD system.
Technology
3D printed titanium, the lever
Titanium, known for its fracture toughness and corrosion resistance, is the go-to choice in highly demanding industries such as medical technology and aerospace. It's stronger than aluminium, which means less material is required to achieve the same physical performance, and through the process of additive manufacturing, a lighter, stronger lever that does not require protective coatings can be created.
The advantages of additive manufacturing
In additive manufacturing, fine metal powder is layered and melted, using a laser or electron machine, to realise complex, intricate structures that are impossible to achieve using traditional manufacturing techniques. Since only the powder needed for the printing process is melted, waste is minimal and the process is very efficient. Excess powder can be reused and support structures can be recycled.
Hydraulic Transmission Ratio
Hydraulic transmission ratio determines the force transmitted to the brake pads and is defined by the ratio of the piston surfaces of the pump piston to the calliper pistons. The higher the ratio, the greater the braking force with the same input.
Trickstuff brakes use a 9mm pump piston rather than the standard 10mm model, which generates a higher hydraulic transmission ratio. Meanwhile, the size and number of calliper pistons varies with brake model and intended use.
Mechanical transmission ratio
The mechanical transmission ratio describes the power transmission from the brake lever to the brake pump. Trickstuff's levers and pumps are tailored for different applications and different braking experience preferences, and accordingly, braking force may be transmitted either linearly or progressively.
Knee lever effect and progressive power transmission
A knee lever is a joint that connects two levers, with the effect of delivering a transmission ratio dependent on travel, rather than linear transmission. This means that pulling the lever harder results in an increased transmission ratio and a progressively rising braking force. A rider can therefore choose whether to slow down gently or rapidly, depending on the situation.
Less input force is required overall to operate a lever with a knee joint, due to its kinematics, which means less energy is needed when tackling a long descent or braking frequently and forcefully. There will therefore be less chance of cramping or arm fatigue.
Linear power transmission
With linear power transmission, braking force is transmitted proportionally from the brake lever to the system, which means that as soon as the pressure point is reached, the brake develops its full braking effect. This then increases steadily and predictably as the finger lever is depressed with more force, which means the rider rapidly gets used to the feeling of the brakes and adjusting the force at will.
Pressure-resistant POM Pump Pistons
POM plastic is pressure-stable, with excellent wear resistant and sliding properties that won't change over time, making it the perfect material for Trickstuff's pump pistons. These move easily through the anodised piston track, facilitating the smooth motion of the whole mechanism.
Ball bearing brake levers
Trickstuff's lightweight levers use four bearings, two in the main pivot and two for the connecting rod, to achieve as little friction as possible during lever pull. The ball bearings prevent radial lever play, while a tiny POM plastic ball, clamped in the barrel nut, prevents axial play. The result of minimised shift is increased braking precision and a predictive development of force.
Anodised 7075 aluminium
The quality, high tensile, milled-CNC 7075 aluminium used in Trickstuff's pump and calliper housings is already strong enough to be used in the aircraft industry, but anodising it adds scratch and corrosion resistance. Anodising and polishing the piston track, especially, adds strength while decreasing friction, leading to consistent running of the mechanism.
Ergonomic brake levers
Shaped to fit your braking finger comfortably, Trickstuff's levers feature individual reach adjustment, so they can be adapted to suit personal preferences and varying hand sizes. The result is safe, precise braking control every time.
Hollow stainless steel pistons
Light and hollow, the stainless steel pistons in Trickstuff's brake calliper substantially contribute to heat management within the brake set, due to the low thermal conductivity of both the steel and the air cushion within each piston. Their cylindrical design also minimises the contact area between the pistons and the brake pads, in turn minimising heat buildup.
Bionol as a brake fluid
Trickstuff's brakes are powered by Bionol, an eco-friendly brake fluid made from vegetable oil, as standard. Bionol's low viscosity lets it flow easily through the system, facilitating smooth running, while its high dry boiling point (of between 360-420°C) ensures consistent stopping power on long descents and reduced susceptibility to performance changes at low temperatures.
More Information
Delivery
- Standard delivery (3-5 working days). - £3.50.
- Express delivery (1-2 working days) - £4.99
For more information on delivery times and prices click here.
Returns
Returning a product is free and easy using our Returns Portal, which allows you to send your product back to us by dropping off your return items at any one of over 7,400 CollectPlus locations around the UK.
You have 30 days to return your item from when it reaches you.
For more information on returning items click here.
About Trickstuff
About Saddleback
Founded by real cycling enthusiasts in 2004, our passion for elite performance runs through everything we do at Saddleback. Our team of dedicated roadies, mountain bikers and triathletes practice what we preach to bring you the finest cycling products and a superior service to match. We're the official UK home of Abbey Bike Tools, Cannondale, Castelli, Chris King, ENVE, Feedback Sports, Kogel, Pivot Cycles, Rudy Project, Sidi, Silca, Sportful, Stages, Trickstuff, Troy Lee Designs, Wolf Tooth and WTB.
Warranty and Crash Replacement
In addition to our regular 100-day returns policy on unused items, all items purchased from www.saddleback.co.uk are covered by our full two-year warranty against manufacturing defects from date of purchase. We will exchange, refund or repair (at our discretion) items proven to exhibit manufacturing or material faults in line with fair wear and tear.