TRP EVO12 and TRP Slate EVO in Review

The logical counterpart to the efficient Evo12 drivetrain is the Slate Evo brake, also from TRP, but unlike the drivetrain, it’s not a high-end component, but rather positioned at the other end of the spectrum.
After NoPain already conducted a short review of the TRP Slate Evo on an e-bike some time ago and had nothing to complain about, I wanted to give the entry-level group a chance on the sexy Mondraker Foxy. Since the brake comes with 2.3 mm rotors, I decided to experiment with a 180 mm rotor on the front.
How the two components performed on the trail, you’ll find out after a brief dive into the technical details.

The Evo12 is the second edition of the TRP drivetrain and the direct successor to my old but reliable TR12. With the Evo12, TRP also offers, for the first time, a complete group from the crankset to the cassette, including all relevant parts.

As much as I love my electronic GRX Di2 on the gravel bike, I enjoy riding traditionally mechanical on the mountain bike – with a derailleur hanger that can be easily replaced or aligned after rock contact, and with cables that work independently of batteries and are generally easy to adjust and correct.
The new Evo12 offers some improvements compared to its predecessor, which are especially visible on the derailleur and shifter. For instance, Aaron Gwin's mechanic, John Hall, is the namesake of the so-called Hall-Locks: The mechanism, which can be activated via a lever, locks the derailleur in position at the mounting point, minimizing unwanted movement and noise. The clutch has also been revised, so it now operates silently. Additionally, the clutch's strength can be adjusted. More on this in the review.

The Evo12 shift lever has also been improved. New is the shift mode switch, which allows you to choose whether to shift up to four gears or just one gear when shifting up.
The widely adjustable Advance lever was already an advantage with the TR12. Even after the first shifting attempts while setting it up and then on the trail, it was noticeable that the shifting performance has significantly improved compared to the TR12 and requires noticeably less finger force.
How the Evo12 performs in the long run will be revealed after the end of the season in late autumn.

Tech Specs TRP Evo12

The Slate Evo brake is essentially the entry point to TRP's Evo series (featuring Slate, Trail, and DHR), and this is my first time riding the brake over an extended period.
Compared to the TRP DHR Evo, the Slate looks more traditional, reminiscent of Shimano's XT, and features calipers that appear elegant and organic.
All rotors in the line share the 2.3 mm (extra) thick brake disc. The additional material provides greater heat storage capacity, which means, on the one hand, that the brake heats up less quickly during hard braking maneuvers. On the other hand, the extra-thick discs are less prone to warping and therefore rub less frequently.
Following the recommendation of NoPain, who briefly tested the Slate on an e-bike, I opted for the 180 mm disc and was curious to see how it would perform on long downhills.

Additional advantages of the Slate Evo include the tool-free reach adjustment, the fairly solid reservoir size for hopefully high durability during long maintenance intervals, and last but not least the use of mineral oil, which I personally find much easier to handle compared to DOT brake fluid.

Tech Specs TRP Slate Evo

Once properly bedded in, the Slate Evo is not unlike the XT variant of the market leader in terms of braking behavior. It is not too aggressive, and the good controllability along with the relatively linear modulation ensures a high level of beginner-friendliness.
On the final millimeters of the lever, it could be a bit more powerful depending on the riding profile, but overall, the braking performance is more than sufficient for all applications, no matter whether you use one or two fingers on the lever.
I also had no issues with durability, although the real test will come later in the year on alpine and correspondingly long descents. However, based on our previous experiences, the slightly thicker rotors are quite stable.

Regarding the Evo12 drivetrain, it offers a significant upgrade compared to the previous generation thanks to all its technical features. On the trail, this is noticeable through the reduced noise (rattling from the chain and derailleur).
The Hall-Lock and the adjustable clutch ensure less movement in the drivetrain, which means that shifting works even under the roughest conditions. Thanks to the Wave-Technology of the chainring (similar to Narrow-Wide), the chain sits securely on the crank's sprocket even without a guide.
The ergonomics of the shifter lever are also perfectly fine for downhill riding, for example, when you are surprised by a climb and need to shift down a few gears quickly.

In the case of a flat tire, the cage and Hall-Lock can be quickly released thanks to the small levers, allowing the tire change to be done stress-free without tension on the chain.

If I could wish for something from TRP for the Evo12, it would be a slight redesign of the shift lever. First, I find it relatively bulky in appearance, and second, it happens to me repeatedly that I accidentally change the shift mode. I can't say whether this is due to the relatively loose fit of the lever or because you unintentionally hit it when handling the bike (loading, unloading, carrying).
There is nothing to complain about regarding the ergonomics, though. The position of the forward lever can be adjusted superbly, and the shifting forces are what you would expect from a good group.

There’s also little to criticize about the Slate Evo brake. For heavier riders or on e-MTBs, I would definitely recommend the larger rotors. In alpine terrain, I would sometimes wish for a slightly stronger bite for sharp stops, but in everyday all-mountain use, modulation and controllability are perfectly fine.