Braking First

This is the latest brake from Italian specialist Braking, called the First. First stands for Fully Independent Regulation Screw and Trailing-Link. Which does what it says on the box, it offers two independent, mechanical adjustments of bite point and lever reach. Where the First is different is in its modularity. First of all, you can swap between a 9 mm and a 10 mm hydraulic cartridge in the lever, which alters the effective hydarualic leverage produced between the lever master cylinder and the caliper pistons. 9 mm adds power, while the 10 mm cartridge gives a more direct feel but less overall power. You can also swap the trailing link (the little pivoting lever that sits between the lever blade and the piston), with different sizes that produce different mechanical leverage. All in all there are 6 different combinations to allow you to really dial in the feel and performance you want.