Tour Tech: Mark Cavendish's SRAM HydroR hydraulic rim brakes

Cavendish is the first top-tier pro to use one of SRAM’s new hydraulic brake systems in competition. Of course, the disc brake version is not yet UCI legal, so we won’t see those in the Tour any time soon. SRAM representatives said that the UCI approval request for the hydraulic rim brakes, necessary for any new piece of technology, went through in the last few weeks, opening the door for the brakes to be used in competition. Photo: BrakeThrough Media

The hydraulic rim brakes offer excellent power and finely tuned modulation. They’re also lighter than standard calipers. Photo: BrakeThrough Media

The HRR brakes are sculpted for aerodynamic improvement as well. Photo: BrakeThrough Media

Cavendish has two custom-painted Specialized Venge frames here at the Tour, bearing the logo and colors of his new CVNDSH brand. Besides SRAM’s 11-speed Red 22 and hydraulic brakes, he’s on an S-Works carbon crank with a Quarq power meter. For flat stages where crosswinds are likely, like this Tour’s first stage, he likes the Zipp 404 front and 808 rear setup. Photo: BrakeThrough Media

It seems absurdly simple, but Quarq’s presentation of each power meter’s ANT+ code on the outside of the spider is one of the most user-friendly updates to power meters we’ve seen in years. Photo: BrakeThrough Media

Cav’s saddle is branded, in two senses of the word. Photo: BrakeThrough Media

Word on the street is that Cavendish tried out the HydroR brakes and was immediately smitten, requesting them for the start of the Tour. Photo: BrakeThrough Media

The hoods are tall, bulbous even, but when VeloNews tested them earlier this year we found that the extra hand position was actually quite nice, like having a pair of Ups to match your drops. Photo: BrakeThrough Media

Major wins on the top tube. Photo: BrakeThrough Media

The aero Venge frame has a carefully shaped head tube to decrease drag. We have to think that the massive hoods probably have the opposite effect, though. Photo: BrakeThrough Media

Aluminum Zipp bars and a the company’s big, stiff carbon stem. Photo: BrakeThrough Media

HydroR, Red 22. Photo: BrakeThrough Media

Tour Tech: Mark Cavendish’s SRAM HydroR hydraulic rim brakes

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