How Brakes Are Made | Inside The Tektro-TRP Factory

Did you know that 13 million brakes are made each year by Tektro TRP? Did you know that that takes 3,200 tonnes of aluminium? Did you know that Tektro have 160 CNC machines, and that no one needs to operate them? See that last bit wasn't true, everyone was just at lunch.

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Did you know that Tektro TRP have won multiple World Cup, World Championship, and Olympic medals under the likes of Niels Albert and Aaron Gwin here. But, did you also know that they've won countless titles having made brakes for other people as well? Did you know that 1,200 people work here? No? I think we need to find out a little bit more. As part of our mini tour of Taiwan to look inside the bike industry, we've stopped by to see the folks at Tektro TRP. See how they do things. From making five million hydraulic disc brakes per year, right through to the advanced R&D facility that helps them create products for riders like Aaron Gwin.

Come on, you know who Aaron Gwin is, mountain bike legend. The guy that won a Downhill World Cup, even though he snapped his chain on the second pedal stroke. Yeah, that guy. Now, in total, they have three manufacturing facilities. Two in China that handle the more entry level market, and then this one here in Taiwan which acts as their global headquarters and where all the advanced manufacturing, high end brakes are made. Now if you are confused as to why some parts say Tektro, and some say TRP, and yet, I'm talking about Tektro/TRP in the same breath, is because although they are two distinct brands, they are inextricably linked. So think kind of Toyota and Lexus. Tektro was launched back in 1986, and then TRP came in 2006, aimed as the high end brand. Right then, let's go and see how brakes are made. ♪ Boo da buh boo da buh boo da bah boo ♪ Before we start making anything, we of course need a design, so we've come to the upper floors to see that happen. Magic key card Okay, so there's about 25 people work in this particular part. There's actually another 30 people down the road in an advanced R&D facility who are looking further into the future. But when you look around here, you actually get a real feel of what goes on. There's prototype brakes everywhere you look, and some things I hadn't expected to see as well.

Do you have Tektro-TRP brakes on your bike? Let us know in the comments below 👇

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Aaron Gwin's YT Tues CF http://gmbn.eu/GwinsTues 📹
How to brake like a pro http://gcn.eu/brakelikeapro 📹

Photos: © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/ & ©Tim De Waele / http://www.tdwsport.com

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