Shimano introduces new road disc brake standard

‘Flat Mount’ developed specifically for disc-equipped road bikes

Shimano's new Flat Mount disc brake standard was developed specifically for disc-equipped road bikes

Josh Patterson

Published: July 9, 2014 at 10:05 pm

Shimano is rolling out a new disc brake standard specifically tailored to disc-equipped road bikes.

The new standard, known as Flat Mount, was developed in conjunction with leading road bike brands as a dedicated road-specific disc brake mounting system.

Claimed benefits of Flat Mount over the current 74mm post/direct mount and 51mm ISO mounting standards include a cleaner, integrated design, with no visible mounting bolts; a direct interface with the frame and fork for better alignment; and improved tool access to the rear brake caliper for brakes tucked between the seat- and chainstays.

Shimano states that the system is backwards compatible with post-mount brake calipers with an adapter.

Shimano's new flat mount disc brake standard was developed specifically for disc-equipped road bikes:

Details on the new standard are limited to two grainy CAD images

No word on which companies will be adopting this new brake mount. Stay tuned for more information.

Contributor

Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.