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Shimano Announces New Flat Mount Disc Brake Standard For Road Bikes

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New Shimano Road Disc Brake Standard

Today, Shimano has announced a new mount standard for road disc brakes called Flat Mount. This new mounting option has been developed by Shimano in close cooperation with leading road bike brands as a dedicated “on road” solution. This new design allows bike manufacturers to move away from the mountain bike history and looks that has been used up to this point.

We have no further details at this point, but Shimano did send over these CAD drawings in their press release. Head past the break for a couple of more tidbits from the press release…

Key advantages over current available mountain bike disc mount structures are:

  • A cleaner, integrated construction with the frame (no visible mounting bolts)
  • A more direct connection to the frame and better alignment (eliminates stacking
  • adapters)
  • Easier tool access for disc caliper adjustment (even inside rear triangle)
  • Backwards compatibility with mountain bike style post mount calipers (with an adapter)

Stay tuned for more information as we get it.

Shimano

 

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74 Comments
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Andy
Andy
9 years ago

Oh, FFS!

scentofreason
scentofreason
9 years ago

yeah! another standard! yeah! why on earth do we need to move away from the mtb disc brake standard??? it has been shown to work just fine on many existing bikes currently available. bad choice shimano, very bad choice…

SamSkjord
9 years ago

Scweet,

Inb4 (deleted) who’ve never used brakes that actually work whining about how they’re not needed on road bikes.

Derek
Derek
9 years ago

I guess we’ll have to wait until more info comes out, but how do you account for different size rotors?

Heffe
Heffe
9 years ago

Classic Shimano business move.

Wench with a wrench
Wench with a wrench
9 years ago

Hum.. Let’s see by the looks of it.. It’s attached to the frame on the inside… So more chances of stripping threads when adjusting.. Also.. Once stripped… Hum frame has to be replaced… I’d say that’s planned obsolescence. Also, where’s the adjustability to use after market stuff so that your not just using shimano’s stuff… I think there’s enough said… Hope this is not another standard because shimano thinks it’s a good idea..

Fraser C
Fraser C
9 years ago

@Derek, with an adapter of course! Yet another, unique adapter..

Pretty soon we will walk into a bike shop, tell them what we want, and wait for them to invent something, err, different. You will never need spare parts, just chuck it when you get bored and rinse/repeat. HAH!

Bobby
Bobby
9 years ago

Derek, you use the right size rotor, there is no need for different rotor sizes on a road bike

Dr. Unk
9 years ago

Hayes called, said they’ve already done this.

j
j
9 years ago

Can we start using quote marks around “standard” when it’s just a mfr’s proprietary bullsh*t?

crank
9 years ago

It reminds me a bit of the old 22mm standard Hayes originally used.

Jay
Jay
9 years ago

Leave it to Shimano to cram another “standard” down our throats and force us to use something we don’t want. Post mounts have worked great for years. There is no point to move away from mtb just for the sake of moving away from proven mtb technology. Thanks, Shimano!

Ryan
Ryan
9 years ago

This is super exciting. a cleaner mount will open up the possibilities for more aero setups because they will better align with the frame and fork. Definitely opens the door for some cool new performance products.

Pete
Pete
9 years ago

Flat mount. Twin Post Mount. Who needs it. I am holding out for a super conductor mount that will allow the caliper to pivot independently. NEVER need to adjust as it will just morph to every nuance in your rotor. It will be so awesome.
Yes….I am joking. And yes…..I LOVE disc braking. My post mounts work just fine Shimano. How about you push the envelope rather than just slide it laterally.

Antipodean_G
9 years ago

Good grief. They NEVER learn do they? Shall we write a list of failed Shimano “standards”?

drew-and-not-u
drew-and-not-u
9 years ago

This makes perfect sense. Since there will be little to no crossover between mountain and road brake systems, why shouldn’t road brakes have a more appropriate interface? And it’s backwards compatible so who is this likely to inconvenience? People always want to whine about new standards, would you really rather we still used square taper BBs and straight steer tubes? Gimme a break…

satisFACTORYrider
satisFACTORYrider
9 years ago

this is bad news for you if you’re gonna buy a frame in the next, what 3yrs? if your sled is fine why do you care? are ya gonna go next level on strava and these’ll stand in your way?

Sanchez
Sanchez
9 years ago

This is stupid, post is the way front and rear. Am I the only one that thinks a 160mm front rotor on road bike is to small?

Rico
Rico
9 years ago

Ten bucks says shimano wins and that top manus follow suit. I could care less about road discs until we can race with them. It will be sweet though once all the bugs and standards are ironed out. Can’t argue agains Tron like braking precision on the road. The worst racing issue will be big packs with a mix of disc and rim calipers.

Andrew
Andrew
9 years ago

Yeah posts mounts work just fine… blah blah blah, they also aren’t that aero, and heavier than they need to be. Sure it’s another ‘standard’ but hardly anyone has Disc equipped road bikes yet so it’s not like this is affecting many people. Shimano has proven that they make the best brakes in the industry by a clear and obvious margin, and giving them the benefit of the doubt (considering this fact) seems fair. I for one applaud the dedication to make a change BEFORE the majority own the ‘old standard’. As for ridiculous statements like “Once stripped… Hum frame has to be replaced”, that’s how it already is with post mount. They already own the road disc market (thanks to Sram’s incompetence) so how can this be viewed as a marketing ploy? if anything they are running a risk by trying something new.

jonno
jonno
9 years ago

Yes it’s a new standard, but both my disc brake bikes already use adapters at one end or another, so I don’t see problem. Just get the right one for your setup.

One of the last gripes by the anti-DB crowd for road bikes is the aerodynamics of the calipers. If this solves that issue, as long as you’re running ‘aero’ version calipers sans adapter, then I’m all for it.

Michael
Michael
9 years ago

I seriously hope this standard includes replaceable threads (ie threads in lateral inserts like on Turner MTB’s etc).

Also can we get a ban for Bobby @ 5:55pm, what a pathetic useless comment.

ES
ES
9 years ago

The majority of posts on here are probably coming from mountain bikers that don’t quite appreciate the nuances in road bike design. Disc-brake calipers have always looked gawd-awful on road bikes because they look tacked on. Simple as that. They always look like an ugly afterthought. But if you look at Dura-Ace standard calipers, they are very fluid and effeminate. The proportions are lighter and more svelte.

By proposing this new low-profile standard for disc-brake calipers, Shimano is opening the door to finally offering brakes that actually look fitting on a bike that only weighs 12 lbs and isn’t meant to be barreling down a rocky path. SRAM has that part covered!!

Chris
Chris
9 years ago

“Disc-brake calipers have always looked gawd-awful on road bikes because they look tacked on.”

And this is different from current side pull calipers how exactly?? Unless you’re in the distinct minority of people who either own one of the newer aero frames or a 50+ year old constructeur bike chances are your brake calipers are tacked on with a single mounting bolt instead of being integrated into the frame. Only difference is it’s a look we’re used to thanks to 50 years of tradition.

As for aero brakes, if you think that actually makes a difference in the real world you’re a fool. Despite 50 years of aero advancements the average speed of the Tour de France has hardly changed (and keep in mind the Tour was much longer 50 years ago and still included a lot of dirt roads!) Sure, aerodynamics come into play during time trials but even then the vast majority of the gains come from rider position and wheels. End of the day it still comes down to the rider.

TBENDER
9 years ago

Some of these comments need a ‘like’ button.

FastWayne
FastWayne
9 years ago

Roadies just hate change; p It looks cleaner and that would be more appropriate for road bikes. Possibly aero gains. looks is half the battle! I hope to see road disc to continue to evolve; )

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
9 years ago

Being backwards compatible with post mount frames and forks should mean there’s nothing for roadies with post mount forks and frames to complain about.

nick_outdoors
nick_outdoors
9 years ago

I was about to throw a fit until the last point of being backward compatible. Don’t say this too often, but thank you Shimano. Up to that point I only saw this as a money grab by some what forced change.

Quickie
Quickie
9 years ago

Will this make wheel changes easier?

Brian
Brian
9 years ago

This is much bigger than Shimano introducing a new standard. In order for road disk brakes to be adopted by pro teams and the UCI there needs to be a very clearly defined standard that all frame, brake and hub manufacturers adopt to facilitate quick road side wheel changes. It makes sense that Shimano, the largest component manufacturer working with leading road bike brands, would develope the standard. There is nothing wrong with post mount brakes except every frame, brake, adaptor and hub is different, making wheel changes too time consuming for the pro tour and too difficult for neutral support.

Andy
Andy
9 years ago

Great. I was holding off until next year for manufacturers to release disc-equipped road bikes that fit my budget. Now the 2015 models are instantly obsolete once 2016 comes around.

Brattercakes
Brattercakes
9 years ago

Sigh. Road bikes don’t need disc brakes anyway.

wall
wall
9 years ago

Seeing this actually pissed me off. Dumb. Just dumb.

muf
muf
9 years ago

First rule of businesses: NEVER miss an opportunity to f**k up consumers with +1 standard that does nothing, in the name of money.

Err I mean, MTBs had the position wrong ALL along this model is so REVOLUTIONARY. lol.

muf
muf
9 years ago

Hope you realize that after a year frames wont ship adapters anymore, and the brakes you’ll buy from shimano also wont ship with adapters.

Now if only they could find a way to force you into a new rotor every few years thatd be perfect.

nobrakes
nobrakes
9 years ago

its going to be super sweet and everyone will want them. just you wait. l do!!

Lars
Lars
9 years ago

I think any bicycle engineer who invents a new standard should be sentenced to 3 years in prison.

adam
adam
9 years ago

Interesting…..

shafty
shafty
9 years ago

I’d like to see a show of hands from everyone that’s posted, that owns a road bike equipped with disc brakes. 2 or 3, maybe? Ya know, there’s always Cycleexif, for all the traditionalists, and if you’ve only got a MTB, then there’s Pinkbike. Please, a few comments on the design, not on your own unwillingness to accept change, or your empty wallet.

It looks like the calipers are mounted inline with the dropout, front and rear, simplifying wheel installation. The stripped threads argument bears no weight; there is a possibility of stripping any threaded interface. That’s the inherent weakness of threads. Just going out on a limb, and guessing we’ll see these mounts on a new Trek model(read: HIGH END).

newstandardsarenttheenemy
newstandardsarenttheenemy
9 years ago

backwards compatible defeats all arguments

Disk on road is not needed but amazing all the same.

Rotors should be no more than 140mm or 160mm on road. (grip is only as good as your tyres)

Mindless
Mindless
9 years ago

@ES: I laughed in your general direction. “Nuances” of design? You mean overpriced luddite garbage sold under the guise of “tradition”?

professor
professor
9 years ago

My guess is that mountain frames will follow.

Jupes
Jupes
9 years ago

Getting the mounts right next to frame elements should provide better aerodynamics.

As to the “standard” however, it’s not a standard until it’s adopted by everyone. Granted, it’s Shimano, but as pointed out earlier, they’ve failed at introducing “standards” before.

Nonetheless, MTB systems and road systems are and should be different – while the main elements work the same, most of the secondary priorities are different.

General "Buck" Turgidson
General "Buck" Turgidson
9 years ago

I am bathing in irony by lamenting the constant creation of unnecessary standards and technological progression in the biking industry while driving around in a late-model BMW, and not a horse-drawn carriage.

Cyclists: An hypocritical batch of tools

donaron
donaron
9 years ago

Probably is secured on frame with zipp ties

Bill
Bill
9 years ago

please make it stop

dislivello
dislivello
9 years ago

Is not new ..there are tandem that use same …old sty l e

Mike
Mike
9 years ago

Re : stripped threads in caliper mounts. The solution is a heli-coil kit. Not sure why is rarely mentioned. Fixed my Fox fork mounts this way. Get on it, bike ‘mechanics.’

EM2
EM2
9 years ago

Backwards compatibility !!!
Really Shimano must be drunk

Chris 68
Chris 68
9 years ago

Here a picture of the KTM bike 2015 release: http://bikeboard.at/_uploads/_fotos/66828_986849.jpg
You can see the “new” standart (so it was released by Shimano a long time ago!). KTM PM said that the new caliper are to come 2016!!!! In my option it looks ugly with old caliper and I was wondering how it looks with 160mm rotor. I will buy a road racer with disc but I will wait to get “standards” for hubs, brakes and axles.

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