Cable-free brakes for eBikes. Shimano has its brake by wire patent. Existing technology for planes and cars, but perhaps too dangerous for a small bike?
Shimano has just patented a brake by wire system. Literally these are brakes that do not need mechanical connections to work. They are also able to no longer transmit vibrations to the levers when the anti-lock system is activated. It therefore allows us to reduce braking distances and speed up the design of vehicles, finding a definitive solution to the passage of cables because… they are no longer there.
The main advantage of the systems brake by wire it is the improvement in safety, given that the absence of a mechanical connection between the levers and the calipers on the discs allows us to reduce the time needed to “squeeze” the brakes as much as possible. Aerospace engineering, the first to use it, and also car engineering, know this well. For example, Brembo presented its first electronic brakes in 2018. Useful because they do not vibrate and above all they are well suited to the regenerative braking which is the basis of electric cars.
Are brakes without cables dangerous on eBikes?
But is this type of braking system really something the bicycle or motorcycle industry needs? It’s difficult to say before having had the chance to put them to the test in conditions of daily use. It’s true that from bicycles to supercars, virtually all manufacturers are obsessed with cutting-edge technology. For this reason Shimano recently patented electronic brakes for bicycles. On the other hand, the same Japanese brand was a pioneer of wireless shifting with its DI2. It seems clear that the future wants to definitively say goodbye to hydraulic cables and pipes.
The other side of the coin is the extra work to which the batteries are subjected, because everything will depend on the electrical charge available. And if in the case of the gearbox being at red means not being able to change gear, with broken brakes the situation becomes delicate and potentially very dangerous. However, it seems that Shimano is very confident in their work and in making this technology a reality. It should be noted, however, that the company showcased three potential projects: a hybrid electric-hydraulic system, a hybrid mechanical-electric system and a fully electric system.
No cables, no “parachute”
As for the first two systems there is a parachute in case of a flat battery. The rider will ultimately still have a mechanical connection between the brake lever and the bike’s brakes. And so, it is likely that these two systems will be used to provide intelligent braking features, such as ABS and descent control especially on cargo eBikes.
This leaves the completely electric system which raises more than one eyebrow for fear of unprecedented technology and which makes one think of the danger of getting hurt. It is inevitable when moving into the unknown to think about the risks which are much more concrete. Shimano’s all-electric braking system is wireless, so there’s literally no physical connection, not even an electrical cable, connecting the handlebar-mounted levers to the calipers and rotors on the bike’s wheels.
You need to have faith in the technology and work of a company that has decades of experience in the two-wheel field and that has always been able to innovate before others. Will it be enough? There is no doubt that a brake by wire system could really be useful for cargo eBikes, especially the larger ones with a very long wheelbase. Can the same be said for everyday pedal-assist bikes or off-road eBikes? At this moment it is not possible to give an answer. Is technology the future or a useless complication? The division between those who are happy with the news and those who still want to get their hands on their bike in the garage will remain.
Cable-free brakes, a journey that began in 2021
As far as Shimano is concerned, the path is clear so much so that this project has been worked on for years and the first American patent dates back to 2021 on the occasion of the centenary of the Osaka company which in a century has built its indisputable dignity in the field of two wheels . Shimano’s patent states that the brake receives its electrical charge from a battery mounted on the bike or a front hub dynamo, or both. The patent repeatedly discusses opportunities to reduce the size of components used in an electronic brake.
Shimano’s point of view has been explained since the works of three years ago. Mounting a conventional hydraulic piston in the brake lever body has always been a problem for component manufacturers. Shimano hydraulic road bike levers are also typically larger than mechanical ones. An electronic system would potentially allow Shimano to move the hydraulic cylinders deeper into the lever body, creating a more compact design.
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