FULL Hydraulic Brake Upgrade for Rad Mini

[cvctiger]

Looking into upgrading to FULL hydraulic brakes on my Rad Mini. Only issue I have is I need to know if it is an OPEN or CLOSE type circuit so I can purchase the right one. The brake levers are TEKTRO EL555-RT and TEKTRO EL550-RS. I looked up their specs and there is no indication of OPEN or CLOSE also emailed them and RAD. No response. Anyone know how to check or have the correct info?

 

[Sierratim]

Looking into upgrading to FULL hydraulic brakes on my Rad Mini. Only issue I have is I need to know if it is an OPEN or CLOSE type circuit so I can purchase the right one. The brake levers are TEKTRO EL555-RT and TEKTRO EL550-RS. I looked up their specs and there is no indication of OPEN or CLOSE also emailed them and RAD. No response. Anyone know how to check or have the correct info?

As @Timpo indicated, your components are not compatible with a full hydraulic brake system. The Rad Mini is equipped with mech disc brakes as OEM brakes. Hydraulics will provide you with better overall stopping power at less brake lever pressure, but do you need hydraulic brakes?

Mech disc. bakes are generally considered to the equal to the best V-brakes, the original MTB brakes. Depending on your riding conditions, this might be OK. Just sayin'

 

[Sierratim]

I have Juiced CrossCurrent Air, which came with mechanical disc brakes and I absolutely hated it.

I was using this bike as main transportation and had to adjust the brake every 1 to 2 weeks. Also it wasn't very strong..

When I got my Tektro Hydraulic, holy crap... soooo much less effort. It worked like butter, much smoother, easy on my hands (fingers), it was better in every way.

I suppose it's all a matter of what you're accustomed to. I'm more than OK with the high quality V-brakes on my hybrid mech bike. My first DIY ebike was a MTB conversion that worked quite well, except for the V-brakes. With the added weight of the ebike components the V-brakes just weren't up to the task on our hilly streets. Mech disc bakes would have been a welcome upgrade. Hydraulics would have been heaven, so to speak...

 

[cvctiger]

I just looked up the lever you're referring to.

1TEKTRO BRAKE SYSTEMS - Products

TEKTRO BRAKE SYSTEMS - Product, Disc, Brake, Lever, Disc Pads, Brake Pads, Accessories, MTB Road, Cyclocross, TT / Triathlon, Recreation, BMX, E-Bike.

www.tektro.com

This is NOT a hydraulic lever.

You need to replace the whole brake system.

Yes I know that. I was just noting the model that comes on the bike. Wondering it was an OPEN or CLOSE circuit brake sensor. I figured it out and know which I need to get. Thank you

 

[BrianK]

Is this an option?

Area 13

boltonebikes.com

It uses the existing mechanical brakes levers and cables to activate a hydraulic brake at the rotor level.
No need to mess with the brake levers or cables.

 

[cvctiger]

I am not looking into the Juintechs. As I stated I am looking to go FULL Hydraulic.

 

[harryS]

cvctiger, . most brake levers with built in switches are use normally open switches. If the connector comes off, the bike still runs. If Rad uses normally closed switches, they would be going against the grain.

Anyway, easy to check if you don't believe me. Unplug the connector. If bike still runs, it's normally open. You can also check it with your multimeter.