New Mountain Bike Disc Brakes Launched in July 2026 – Hope, TRP, Stablead and SUHR
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The mountain bike brake market has been particularly active over the past month, with several interesting new hydraulic disc brake systems appearing from established manufacturers and emerging brands.
From six-piston downhill brakes to prototype gravity calipers and premium CNC-machined systems, these developments show how bicycle braking technology continues to evolve.
At Gorilla Brakes, we monitor significant brake launches for one important reason: every new caliper could introduce a new brake pad shape. Identifying these designs early allows us to update our brake compatibility database, investigate replacement pads and support riders as new brake systems reach the market.
Here is our roundup of the most important new mountain bike disc brakes and prototypes discovered during the past month.
Hope EVO V6Ti Six-Piston Disc Brake
British manufacturer Hope has introduced the Hope EVO V6Ti, bringing back the company’s six-piston brake concept in a modern gravity-focused design.
The EVO V6Ti is designed for demanding downhill riding and powerful electric mountain bikes where maximum braking force and heat management are essential.
Hope EVO V6Ti key features
- Six-piston hydraulic brake caliper
- Designed for downhill and electric mountain bikes
- High braking power for steep and sustained descents
- Premium titanium hardware
- Paired with Hope’s modern EVO brake lever platform
Why the Hope EVO V6Ti matters
A six-piston caliper can provide a larger friction surface and improved pressure distribution across the brake pad. It may also require a larger or completely new brake pad design compared with Hope’s existing four-piston brake systems.
We will not assume that the EVO V6Ti uses the same brake pads as the Hope V4, GR4 or other Hope calipers. The original brake pad must first be physically inspected and measured before compatibility can be confirmed.
Gorilla Brakes status: Obtain an original Hope EVO V6Ti brake pad, confirm its dimensions and determine whether a new Gorilla Brakes pad shape is required.
New TRP Gravity Brake Prototype
TRP has been testing a new gravity-focused brake caliper that appears to represent a major development beyond its current downhill and enduro brake range.
The prototype caliper appears larger and more heavily built than the existing TRP DH-R EVO platform. The most interesting detail for Gorilla Brakes is its apparent brake pad retention arrangement.
A possible new TRP brake pad shape
Current TRP gravity brakes commonly use a centrally positioned brake pad retaining pin. The new prototype appears to use a different system, potentially featuring bottom-loaded pads secured by two retaining pins.
A change to the retaining-pin location or loading direction often means the backing plate has also changed. This could therefore be a completely new TRP brake pad shape rather than an existing TRP replacement pad.
There is currently no confirmed production brake name, replacement pad number or final compatibility information.
Gorilla Brakes status: High-priority monitoring. We will check future TRP manuals, distributor listings and replacement pad documentation as the brake moves closer to production.
Stablead Four-Piston Brake Prototype
Stablead has presented a new four-piston hydraulic mountain bike brake prototype featuring a distinctive caliper design and staggered piston sizing.
Reported Stablead brake features
- Four-piston hydraulic caliper
- Staggered 18mm and 17mm pistons
- Mineral-oil hydraulic system
- Finned brake pad design
- Mountain bike-focused construction
Staggered piston sizes can help control how the brake pad contacts the rotor. This may improve modulation, manage pad wear and reduce the tendency for the leading edge of the pad to bite too aggressively.
Stablead brake pad compatibility
The prototype was shown with finned brake pads, but the appearance of cooling fins does not confirm compatibility with Shimano or any other established brake pad shape.
The backing plate, retaining-pin position, friction material dimensions and pad spring must all be checked before a compatibility claim can be made.
Gorilla Brakes status: Contact the manufacturer and obtain a brake pad drawing, technical dimensions or physical sample when production parts become available.
Star Union SUHR R740 Four-Piston Brake
The Star Union SUHR R740 is a premium four-piston hydraulic disc brake developed for demanding gravity riding.
Unlike some of the prototype brakes in this article, the R740 has been presented as a complete brake platform with dedicated replacement racing brake pads.
SUHR R740 key features
- CNC-machined 7075-T6 aluminium caliper
- Four 16mm pistons
- Mineral-oil hydraulic system
- Integrated caliper cooling features
- Stainless-steel-backed carbon-ceramic brake pads
- Designed for downhill, enduro and street trials
- Uses 4 Piston Brakes Pads seen here cross compatible with Shimano 4 piston
Does the SUHR R740 use an existing brake pad?
Dedicated replacement racing pads are available for the brake, but we have not yet found confirmed compatibility with Shimano, SRAM, Magura, Hope, TRP or another established pad shape.
It should therefore be treated as a potentially proprietary brake pad until a physical sample has been inspected.
Gorilla Brakes status: Add the R740 to the brake compatibility database and obtain an original replacement pad for measurement and comparison.
Why New Bicycle Brake Pad Shapes Matter
When a manufacturer introduces a new disc brake, most riders initially focus on braking power, lever feel, modulation and weight.
At Gorilla Brakes, one of our first questions is:
What brake pad does it use?
A new brake caliper can introduce:
- A completely new backing plate shape
- Different friction material dimensions
- A new retaining-pin position
- A different pad spring
- A top-loading or bottom-loading pad design
- New cooling fins or heat-management features
- A proprietary replacement pad unavailable from established aftermarket suppliers
Brake pads that look similar are not necessarily interchangeable. Even a small difference in the backing plate, retaining-pin hole or friction material position can prevent the pad from fitting safely inside the caliper.
For this reason, Gorilla Brakes does not confirm compatibility based on photographs alone.
How Gorilla Brakes Investigates a New Disc Brake
When we identify a genuinely new bicycle brake system, we follow a structured compatibility process.
- Record the exact brake manufacturer and model.
- Find the official replacement brake pad and OE part number.
- Inspect technical manuals and exploded diagrams.
- Obtain an original brake pad where possible.
- Measure the backing plate and friction material.
- Check the retaining-pin position and pad spring.
- Compare the pad with our existing brake pad shape database.
- Confirm whether an existing Gorilla Brakes pad is compatible.
- Investigate a new pad shape when no existing replacement fits.
This research supports our growing:
Bike → Brake → Brake Pad Shape → Gorilla Brakes Product
compatibility database.
The aim is to make it easier for riders to find the correct brake pads for their bike, brake model and riding discipline.
What These New Brakes Tell Us About the Industry
The latest brake developments point towards several wider trends in mountain bike braking technology.
- More powerful brakes for heavier electric mountain bikes
- Larger calipers designed for downhill and enduro riding
- Increased use of CNC-machined aluminium components
- Greater focus on cooling and heat management
- Larger friction surfaces and additional pistons
- More proprietary brake pad and retention designs
- Growing competition from emerging brake manufacturers
These developments are exciting for riders, but proprietary brake pad shapes can make replacement pads more difficult to source during the early life of a new brake system.
That is why early identification and physical compatibility testing are so important.
Which New Brake Is the Most Interesting?
From a brake pad development perspective, the new TRP gravity prototype is currently one of the most interesting discoveries.
The apparent change to a dual-pin, bottom-loading brake pad system suggests that TRP may be developing a completely new pad platform.
The Hope EVO V6Ti is also a priority because its six-piston caliper may require a larger pad than Hope’s existing production brakes.
The SUHR R740 is commercially interesting because it is already supported by dedicated replacement pads, while the Stablead prototype shows how smaller manufacturers are experimenting with piston sizing, cooling and advanced caliper construction.
Gorilla Brakes Will Continue Monitoring New Brake Releases
We will continue monitoring bicycle manufacturers, brake brands, trade shows, technical documents and new bike specifications for previously unseen brake systems and brake pad shapes.
As these brakes become commercially available, we will add confirmed information to our compatibility database and investigate high-performance replacement compounds where appropriate.
Explore the latest brake pads, braking components and technical guidance at Gorilla Brakes.
Brake systems and prototypes can change before final production. Compatibility information in this article should not be used to purchase replacement brake pads unless the exact brake model and pad shape have been officially confirmed.