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:

• Four piston prototype: The version described uses four 16 mm pistons. This is a development specification; force distribution and performance depend on the complete system.
• Mineral oil prototype: The current design uses mineral oil. Its exact specification and service procedure will be defined for the final system; mineral oil is not universally superior to 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 are refining the hydraulic balance and structural design through testing before confirming production specifications.

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

When will the HINE R brake system be available? The project described here is in prototype and trail testing. Release depends on completing development and validation. Follow project updates for confirmed production information; prototype plans are not a guarantee of flawless operation.

What fluid does the prototype use? The current design uses mineral oil. Use only the fluid and service procedure specified for the final approved system. Neither the mineral oil label nor a viscosity claim establishes interchangeability with other oils.

How many pistons does the caliper have? The prototype described uses four 16 mm pistons. This specification can change during development. Performance depends on the complete hydraulic system and pad arrangement.

Which pads will fit? Development is being carried out around Gorilla Brakes compounds. The HINE R caliper uses the Shimano D Type pad shape. Check the exact pad, retention hardware and approved compound against the product specification before ordering.

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.