Testing the new TRP EVO Pro Brakes on My Specialized Levo 4 Pro
Words by Mia de Paula:
I’ve been riding with TRP brakes for years—specifically the DH-R Evos—so when it came time to build up my new Specialized Levo 4 Pro, I knew I wanted something that could handle the weight, speed, and long descents that come with e-MTB life. Enter the new TRP EVO Pros.
I first saw these brakes in person at Sea Otter Classic this past April, and I’ll be honest—they immediately caught my eye. Between the clean lever design, the updated calipers, and the buzz around them being TRP’s next big step in braking performance, I was intrigued. They looked dialed.
And since I’ve had such a good run with TRP over the last three years—two bikes, countless trail miles, and zero real complaints—I figured it was time to give the EVO Pros a proper test.
TRP says they’re designed with input from top World Cup racers and tuned for the next generation of aggressive trail and enduro riding. With the Levo 4 being my main ride now—and a heavy one at that—I figured this was the perfect time to test them out.
Spoiler: they’re powerful, responsive, and made for bikes like this. But the install wasn’t as smooth as I hoped—and I’ve already had to swap pads. More on that in a bit.
First Impressions:
- Powerful out of the gate. These things don’t mess around—they bite hard, especially on steeper terrain.
- Modulation felt different than my DH-Rs—less on/off, more control.
- A little noisy at first (even after bedding in professionally).
- The lever feel is noticeably improved. Sleeker shape, more ergonomic, and easier to reach for smaller hands or shorter reach settings.
- Felt confidence-inspiring on steep descents and e-bike weight.
- Initial pad was not great or expected. I had to replace the rear pads fairly quickly, which surprised me considering the setup was done at install.
Installation Experience
Let me just say this upfront: if you’re thinking about swapping brakes on the new Specialized Levo 4, be prepared—it’s not your average job.
These TRP EVO Pros were installed during the initial build of my Levo 4 Pro by the crew at Newbury Park Bike Shop, who always do solid work. I figured having them installed during the build would make things easier. Turns out, not so much.
The brake routing on the Levo 4 is super involved. To get everything properly installed, they had to remove the fork, the battery, and even the motor. Yep—just to get brake lines run and everything mounted cleanly.
Honestly, I’m glad this wasn’t an upgrade I tried to tackle after the fact—because that would’ve been a total headache (and probably a very expensive one at the shop). If you’re riding a Levo or another e-bike with tight internal routing, just know: these installs can be a process.
Once everything was in, the brakes worked flawlessly—but definitely something to keep in mind if you’re planning to make the switch.
Specs & What’s New
The EVO Pros are TRP’s next-gen gravity brakes, designed to improve on the DH-R Evos with refined performance and rider-friendly adjustments. Here’s what stands out:
– PAD (Pad Activation Dial): One of the most unique features on the EVO Pro is TRP’s Pad Activation Dial. It lets you fine-tune where in the lever stroke the pads engage the rotor.
– Updated Lever: The lever bodies are sleeker, lighter, and ergonomically improved. The contact point and reach are both tool-free adjustable, which makes dialing in your preferred setup super easy.
– 4-Piston Calipers: TRP stuck with their signature 4-piston layout but tweaked the internals for better heat dissipation and more consistent bite, especially under load.
– Newish Brake Pads: TRP introduced a new resin pad compound for the EVO Pro that’s supposed to offer better bite and less fade under long descents. TRP states: “A brand new resin pad was developed to offer more bite and quieter braking, especially under heat.”. In my experience, they did just that! Stopped on a dime! I’ve been told these pads have been out for a couple years, but are new to me.
– Lightweight Build: TRP shaved a bit of weight compared to the DH-R Evos by trimming down the levers and calipers without compromising stiffness or performance.
– Rotors: These brakes are designed to be paired with TRP’s two-piece rotors for max cooling and power. I’m currently running 203mm front and rear on the Levo.
Now for the real-world surprise: even though the brakes were bedded in by Newbury Park Bike Shop during the build, I ended up swapping the pads pretty quickly—not because they wore out, but because the stock semi-metalic compound just wasn’t cutting it. The braking felt inconsistent, and the bite wasn’t where I wanted it, especially on an e-bike like the Levo 4. I brought it back to the shop, and they replaced the pads with TRP’s new (to me, out now for a couple yearsl) Resin Pad compound—one that gave me better performance right away.
These brakes also have:
– High flow calipers
– High performance mineral oil
– Designed for 2.3mm rotors
– 5.0mm performance hydraulic hose
Comparison: TRP EVO Pro vs DH-R Evo
After riding the TRP DH-R Evos for the past three years on two different bikes (Revel Rascal, and Revel Rail), I know how solid they are—strong, reliable, and easy to trust on fast descents. So switching to the new EVO Pros gave me a chance to see if the update was worth the hype. Here’s how they stack up:
- PAD (Pad Activation Dial): This feature is exclusive to the EVO Pros and a game changer for fine-tuning feel. As I mention above, it lets you adjust where in the lever stroke the pads engage the rotor—something the DH-Rs don’t have.
- Power: Both brakes offer massive stopping power, but the EVO Pros feel slightly more refined. The bite is strong, but it ramps up more smoothly than the DH-Rs, which sometimes felt more binary (on/off).
- Modulation: This is where the EVO Pros really shine. The control through the levers feels more deliberate and less twitchy, which matters when you’re riding steep, loose, or techy terrain. I felt more confident feathering speed on exposed descents and flowy corners.
- Lever Feel & Adjustability: The EVO Pro levers are an upgrade—sleeker, with better ergonomics and easier tool-free adjustments. I have smaller hands, and getting the levers into a comfortable position took less effort than it used to with the DH-Rs.
- Weight: TRP trimmed some grams on the EVO Pros, mostly in the lever and caliper design. While it’s not a huge difference, every bit counts for those who worry about weight—especially on a heavy e-bike like the Levo.
- Maintenance & Setup: The DH-Rs win here. They’re more straightforward to bleed and maintain, while the EVO Pros—especially on an internally routed frame like the Levo 4—can be a lot more labor-intensive. That said, once they’re installed, I haven’t had any issues yet.
- Aesthetics: Honestly, the EVO Pros look way more modern. There’s a new master cylinder design, sportive & ergonomic lever blade. The lines are cleaner, the branding is subtle, and they match the premium look of high-end bikes. That said, I have both silver and gold DHR’s on my bikes and the they still look killer. The Gold on the Pro’s are very different than the gold on the DHR’s.
Bottom line:
If you’re already running DH-R Evos and love them, you’re still in good hands. But if you’re looking for more tuning options, cleaner feel, and a brake that better supports the weight and speed of an e-bike or aggressive trail bike, the EVO Pro is absolutely worth the step up.
On Trail Performance
Once I got the EVO Pros dialed in, I started putting them to the test on a mix of flow trails, tech sections, long descents, and switchbacks—basically the kind of terrain that really asks a lot from your brakes, especially on a heavier e-bike like the Specialized Levo 4 Pro. Everything below reflects my experience after changing the brake pads.
- Initial Ride Feel: Right away, I noticed how much more control I had and how much easier the modulation was. The power was there—no question—but it came on smoother than the DH-Rs, which gave me more confidence to brake later into corners or modulate my speed in chunky rock sections and switchbacks.
- Steep Descents & Heavier Loads: On longer descents with heavy braking, especially with the extra weight of the Levo, the EVO Pros stayed consistent. No fade, no squishy lever feel—just steady stopping power.
- PAD (Pad Activation Dial):I adjusted the PAD (Pad Activation Dial) to a balanced mid-point—not super early, not super late—which gave me a predictable, responsive feel on the trail. It struck a nice balance between quick engagement and smooth modulation, especially useful on techy climbs and fast transitions. If you’re picky about how your brakes feel (and I am), this feature is legit.
- Modulation in Techy Terrain and Switchbacks: These brakes are made for finesse. On tight, slow-speed tech climbs and awkward switchbacks, I could feather the brakes without accidentally locking up.
- Noise & Pad Behavior: The original pads weren’t a great match for me, so I swapped to the new TRP Resin compound after a few rides. Since then, they haven’t been much quieter (they are loud…), but have been smoother, even in mixed conditions.
- Confidence Booster: The biggest thing is that these brakes make me feel more confident. I know I can stop quickly, ride harder, and stay in control—without second-guessing, especially on switchbacks, which is a feature I’ve always struggled with.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Powerful, controlled braking right out of the gate.
- PAD (Pad Activation Dial) lets you fine-tune when the pads engage—huge upgrade over DH-Rs.
- Excellent modulation, especially on tech trails and steep descents.
- Tool-free adjustments for both reach and contact point.
- Great match for heavier bikes like e-MTBs.
- Sleek, modern design that looks clean on high-end builds.
- Available in 3 different colours.
Cons:
- Noisy pads, even after bedding in.
- Pad swap was needed early on due to underwhelming compound performance of the Semi-Metallic pad.
- Install can be a pain on internally routed ebike frames—especially on the Specialized Levo 4 (requires removing fork, battery, and motor).
- Pricey—Not the most budget-friendly option—but you’re paying for performance and adjustability.
Final Thoughts: Is the TRP DHR PRO's Worth It?
As someone who’s been riding TRP brakes for years, I didn’t switch to the EVO Pros lightly. I trusted the DH-R Evos—they got me through countless trail days, and sketchy descents without ever making me second-guess. So I came into this review with high expectations and, honestly, a bit of skepticism.
But after a few months on the EVO Pros, I can say this: they’ve earned their spot on my main ride.
Yes, the install on my Levo 4 Pro was a headache. And yes, I had to swap out the stock pads early on. But once I got everything dialed in—and especially after adjusting the PAD for earlier engagement—the braking felt intuitive, powerful, and way more responsive than I expected. These brakes made me feel more in control on steep terrain and let me ride harder without that “am I gonna stop in time?” feeling.
And for the kind of riding I do—heavy e-bike, long descents, technical climbs—they’ve been a solid upgrade. If you’re a rider who likes to fine-tune your setup and wants full control without sacrificing power, the EVO Pros are worth a serious look.
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