From Winning MBUK to Engineering the Ultimate Brake: The Latest on Project HINE-R

If you caught the news this weekend, you know that our Enduro Pro compound just took the outright WIN in the April 2026 MBUK Magazine brake pad shootout. 🦍🏆

Taking the top spot validates everything we do in the Gorilla Brakes. It proves that our obsession with heat management, friction consistency, and absolute stopping power works on the toughest trails.

But as we mentioned a few weeks ago, perfecting the pad was just step one.

Winning Formula to the HINE-R Brake

Earlier this month, we officially announced Project HINE-R a collaborative engineering project between Gorilla Brakes founder Lee Hine and mechanical designer Adam Read (formerly of TartyBikes).

We got tired of the inconsistent lever feel, piston imbalances, and servicing headaches of current market options. So, we decided to engineer our own complete, precision CNC-machined hydraulic braking system from the ground up, right here in the UK.

Winning the MBUK shootout with our pads has injected even more energy into the HINE-R prototyping phase.

Prototype Update: Where are we now?

We are currently putting our early prototype calipers through absolute hell. Here is a reminder of what is currently on the test bench:

• The 4-Piston Configuration: We are running 16mm pistons designed to distribute braking force perfectly across the brake pads.
• Mineral Oil System: We are sticking with mineral oil for stable viscosity and straightforward servicing without the harshness of DOT fluid.
• Tuned for Enduro Pro: The best part? The mechanical leverage and structural rigidity of the HINE-R caliper are being designed specifically to maximise the bite and power of our Enduro Pro compounds.

Every time we test these prototypes, we are taking the lessons learned from our brake pad development and applying them directly to the HINE-R master cylinder and caliper.

Follow the Project

The HINE-R system remains under active development. We aren't rushing this; we are refining the hydraulic balance and structural design until it is flawless.

If you want to see the CNC machining process, the mechanical deep-dives, and the real-world trail testing, make sure you are following the project directly.

👉 Follow the full engineering journey at HINE-R.com

Thanks for reading

Gorilla Brakes UK

Project HINE-R: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will the HINE-R brake system be available to buy?
A: We are currently in the active prototype and trail-testing phase. We aren't going to rush this just to hit a deadline. The HINE-R will be released only when the modulation, power, and reliability are 100% flawless. To be the first to know when production starts, follow the updates at hine-r.com.

Q: What type of fluid does the HINE-R brake use?
A: The system is designed entirely around high-performance mineral oil. We chose mineral oil because it provides incredibly stable viscosity under heavy braking heat, and it makes bleeding and servicing much more straightforward than dealing with harsh DOT fluids.

Q: How many pistons does the HINE-R caliper have?
A: The current prototype utilises a precision-machined 4-piston configuration featuring 16mm pistons. This specific sizing was chosen to distribute hydraulic force perfectly across the pad backing plate, giving you massive bite without losing lever feel.

Q: Do I have to use Gorilla Brakes pads in the HINE-R system?
A: While the caliper is a standard fitment, the entire mechanical leverage and hydraulic ratio of the HINE-R system was engineered specifically to maximise the performance of our MBUK-winning Enduro Pro and Nano-Tech compounds. Running them together is how you unlock the ultimate braking experience.

Q: Where is the HINE-R being manufactured?
A: We are incredibly proud to say that Project HINE-R is 100% engineered, prototyped, and CNC-machined right here in the UK. This isn't an overseas catalogue brake; it is built from the ground up by British engineers.