This hydraulic brake converter kit provides impressive braking performance close to genuine hydraulic systems at a very affordable price, though installation requires careful setup and bleeding technique.
Pros
- Very affordable (under £50)
- Includes two converters and both brake calipers
- Decently made one-piece aluminum units
- Impressive braking performance close to genuine hydraulic systems
Cons
- Requires 160mm rotors (doesn't support 140mm)
- No proper documentation included
- No bleed nipple on brake calipers (just a threaded port)
- Installation requires finding placement for two separate units
Key Facts
- Converts mechanical shifters to hydraulic disc brakes using brake cable to compress piston
- Split reservoir design with two chambers and rubber diaphragms for orientation flexibility
- Weighs 137g per adapter unit
Reviews & Ratings
The reviewer tests the IIIPRO hydraulic brake converter kit, which converts mechanical shifters to hydraulic disc brakes. They state the kit includes two aluminum converters and dual-piston brake calipers for under £50. The reviewer finds the braking performance impressive, very close to genuine hydraulic systems and far superior to any mechanical disc brakes they've tested. They successfully install the kit on a winter training bike, noting the need for proper orientation and bleeding technique. While not as easy to install as integrated systems, the reviewer is very impressed with the value and performance.
AI Summary
Pros
- Very affordable (under £50)
- Includes two converters and both brake calipers
- Decently made one-piece aluminum units
- Impressive braking performance close to genuine hydraulic systems
- Far better than any mechanical disc brake calipers tested
- Good power and modulation
- Nice solid brake feel
- Split reservoir design handles different orientations well
- Uses standard BH59 hydraulic fittings
- Lightweight (137g per adapter vs 266g for Giant Conduct)
Cons
- Requires 160mm rotors (doesn't support 140mm)
- No proper documentation included
- No bleed nipple on brake calipers (just a threaded port)
- Installation requires finding placement for two separate units
- Can be messy to position neatly on the bike
- May interfere with computer mounts or bike lights
- Durability is unknown (aluminum construction, small delicate seals)
- Not as easy to install as integrated systems
- Requires some trial and error with bleeding technique
- Lever feel not quite as sharp as genuine hydraulic brakes
- Slightly more lever travel and hint of sponginess
- Requires squeezing slightly harder for top-end braking force
Key Points
- Converts mechanical shifters to hydraulic disc brakes
- Uses brake cable to compress piston that moves hydraulic fluid
- Split reservoir design with two chambers and rubber diaphragms
- Lower chamber has timing port for fluid top-up
- Upper chamber catches air bubbles for easier bleeding
- Must be oriented with reservoir at top of system
- Requires specific bleeding technique using correct port
- Uses standard BH59 hydraulic fittings
- Weighs 137g per adapter
- Includes dual-piston brake calipers
The reviewer briefly mentions the IIIPRO Bicycle mechanical line pull brake converted to hydraulic brake modified parts but does not provide detailed analysis.
AI Summary
Pros
- Allows running hydraulic calipers with mechanical shifters
- Neater system compared to running cables all the way to the caliper
- Majority of the way to the caliper is purely hydraulic
Cons
- Not the lightest
- Chunky to mount into handlebars
- Flat mount design may not be compatible with all bikes
Key Points
- Similar to the Hope system
- Short runner cable from mechanical levers
- Ceramic pistons
- Flat mount design
Where to Buy
Questions about IIIPRO 6R Road Bicycle Hydraulic Disc Brake CNC Integrated Caliper Road Bicycle Line Pull Brake Modified Hydraulic Disc Brake
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