Review: TRP Slate T4 Brakes
TRP Brakes have a history steeped in racing. Their highly sought after cyclocross brakes, popular among racers way back before disc brakes were even a thing on drop bar bikes, were some of the best out there. Frankly, they were some of the only brakes that worked at all in poor conditions, and they chalked up a slew of victories over the years.
More recently, TRP has increased their focus on mountain bikes. With the signing of Aaron Gwin and others, the company is pouring resources into developing brakes that can compete with the likes of Shimano and SRAM, giving riders an additional option at several different price points.
More recently, TRP has increased their focus on mountain bikes. With the signing of Aaron Gwin and others, the company is pouring resources into developing brakes that can compete with the likes of Shimano and SRAM, giving riders an additional option at several different price points.
TRP Slate T4 Details
• 4-piston trail/all mountain brake
• Mineral oil system
• 160, 180, 203mm rotor options
• I-Spec B, I-Spec II (XT, XTR) and Matchmaker compatible with TRP adapter
• Weight: 306g. lever, hose, caliper (single)
• MSRP: $119.99 USD (per brake)
• www.trpcycling.com
• 4-piston trail/all mountain brake
• Mineral oil system
• 160, 180, 203mm rotor options
• I-Spec B, I-Spec II (XT, XTR) and Matchmaker compatible with TRP adapter
• Weight: 306g. lever, hose, caliper (single)
• MSRP: $119.99 USD (per brake)
• www.trpcycling.com
The Slate T4 paired with a 180mm TRP-29 rotor.
The reach adjust on the T4 isn't fancy but it's tool-free and it works.
Details / Installation
According to TRP, the Slate T4 was designed to be affordable and low maintenance. At $119.99, it certainly falls into the range of more affordable brakes. As far as maintenance goes, a lot of the design seems to have simplicity in mind. The brake ships with TRP's own semi-metallic pads, but TRP also makes a metallic pad, and the 4-pot brake is cross-compatible with Shimano Saint and Zee pads. The T4 also uses mineral oil, which is much friendlier on skin and paint than DOT fluid. The bleed fittings are also the same as Shimano, so you won't need an all new bleed kit, although the brake does use a TRP specific olive and barb.
TRP sells the brakes without rotors, allowing users to choose their own size and type per desired application. They recommend using their own rotors, although, according to TRP, most other major brands will work as well.
The 4-piston brake uses two different size pistons. The idea behind it is to create an effect similar to "toeing-in" a rim brake. Having the pads contact the rotor at a different speed helps create a bit more of a gentle actuation. TRP compares it to the way someone tunes a spring rate in suspension, allowing the braking power to essentially ramp up before being full on and giving a little more modulation rather than an "off-on" feel.
The body of the T4 was designed before Gwin came on to the TRP team. The lever, however, is the same as the Quadiem G-Spec, which was designed with input from Gwin and has a tool-free reach adjustment.
I had the pleasure of doing a classic dirt parking lot set-up with these brakes the first time I rode them, with limited resources to make things "proper." The system comes pre-bled, which is nice, but the lines were long so I needed to shorten them a good bit. I cut them down at the lever, put on a new olive and barb, and did a basic lever bleed just as you do with a Shimano brake. The set up felt solid pretty quickly and the biggest hiccup was struggling to find enough zap straps to secure the hose to the frame. For rotors, I chose to run TRP's 180mm TRP-29.
The lever on the T4 was designed with input from Aaron Gwin. It's large compared to SRAM or Shimano's brakes but provides a good amount of leverage and modulation.
The T4's 4-piston design works with TRP's pads but also Shimano's Saint and Zee stoppers, with or without fins.
Performance
At first, I was skeptical of these brakes. The lever initially felt bulky compared to a Shimano or SRAM Guide and it looked very much like a Tektro (they are made in the same factory, after all) but with reach adjust and a better caliper. As soon as I finished bleeding the lever, my opinion started to evolve.
The brakes felt very solid, with no sponginess or softness to speak of. The lever initially felt a little overbuilt, but, once I adjusted the reach to my liking, it was quite comfortable. It does feel a bit more like a moto lever than its smaller SRAM or Shimano counterparts, but that's ok, it feels powerful and offers a little more leverage, which isn't a bad thing in my mind.
On the trail, the brakes performed flawlessly. The power was consistent at all times and the only hint of fade I experienced occurred at the end of very long and sustained descents, places where brakes twice as expensive would show a little fade as well. I rode the brakes in wet, dry, warm, and cold conditions and felt that at all times I had plenty of power and consistent, predictable braking. As a XC or trail option, the brake seems to hit the mark. However, on a DH bike, I would likely opt for a little bit more power. The T4 could get the job done, but it may be a little underpowered if you're consistently riding sustained higher speed descents or doing top to bottom bike park laps day in and day out.
As far as the modulation goes, I'd place the T4 between a Shimano Zee and SRAM Guide. The T4 has a bit of the feel of the gradual engagement that SRAM Guides tend to have, crossed with the strong initial grab that Shimano brakes deliver. Where some brakes can get inconsistent due to conditions or heat, the T4's stayed the same, time and time again for several months on end. Aesthetically, I don't think the Slate T4 is the best looking brake out there, but although it may not appear as refined as some of its high end rivals, its performance was commendable, delivering predictable power in all conditions.
Pinkbike's Take
 | For the price, the Slate T4 brakes perform at or above the level of the competition, with easy setup, along with excellent consistency and reliability. Looking to upgrade your current setup without breaking the bank? These four-piston stoppers are well worth the money. |
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It’s designed to be a brake fluid. The whole world agrees upon its ability to do the job.
Ya it’s a chemical.
Don’t drink it.
"The stuff is really not that toxic I’ve gotten it on my skin/face for years wipe it off and your good to go."
Said coal miners. And commercial building contractors. But yeah, do it your way.
Your review would have been more beneficial if you had tested larger rotors after discovering some deficiencies with the 180mm rotors on your test rig. Some may argue that rotor size is usage specific (180 for XC, 203 for DH) but the reality is, rotor size is situation specific (fast 200lb 29er rider on steep XC trails may require 200+mm rotors etc.)
Also it would be good to also review these with metallic pads preferably Shimano since thats what we'd be putting in after the stock ones wear out.
@Rubberelli - the Quadiem and T4 calipers & MCs look quite a bit different to me, but I'm not sure how that affects performance. Honestly, for 90% of the trail riding I do, the T4s would probably be more than adequate.
As with all of my brakes I've switched to cables reinforced with stainless steel wire mesh and compared them to my other set: Saint M-810 calipers with Zee levers. I was amaized how close TRP is to Shimano. Yes, I can feel the difference in stopping power but it's 15% max wchih is very, very good for that price.
Major draw back is bleeding nipple - they're awfull! They're the worst, and I do mean THE WORST bleed nipples that I've ever came across! You need to be brain surgent to open them just 1* to let the oil flow without flooding your brake pads. This is one thing that needs serious improvement but you can get used to it.
Mine TRP are really good brakes and you can rely on them in every day life. Don't be scared of Tektro - TRP are in a different league that Auriga from few years back.
Only issue I have, and its picking nits, would be the detense free reach adjust. I love the adjustability, but after fidgeting with it to get it perfect I had worn off the thread lock so the lever adjust kept moving until I reapplied thread lock. No issues since.
When you do get the brake set up I do like the modulation achieved from the two piston design they have.
This...Same experience here. Would/will bang again.
If your Deore brakes don't fill you with confidence - did you give them a good bleed? Easy to do with the Shimano kit. Also, what size are your rotors? Have you considered upsizing?
I have a buddy with XT brakes, I should probably ride his bike before I make the jump.
I have changed the pads, but you can't fit anything else my LBS said. I just checked, I have Shimano M396 brakes, not sure if that makes a difference or not...
I hope one day to be under 200, but we all know how that goes, especially with a 7 month at home...
The ispec from my XT shifter should integrate with the brake lever, but that just seems like an added bonus.
Other than that, extra adjustment features as you move up the line.
But the review says they're under-powered. Which is weird because I thought adding an extra set of pistons was to add more power.
What's going on?!
Disclaimer: I have no idea what I'm talking about.
The stability of pull over push only goes for long and thin members, like spokes in a wheel.