How the Greatest Downhiller of All Time Keeps His Brakes Consistent on Every Run

When searching for milliseconds on the World Cup DH track, consistency is key for edging out the competition. Reliable braking is a vital part of any rider’s downhill run and can mean the difference between the top spot on the podium and a nasty crash on the way down. SHIMANO’s ICE TECHNOLOGIES are a system of brake technologies that are designed to help dissipate brake heat and provide the most consistent and reliable braking power available. 

As the greatest World Cup racer of all time, multi-time, and current UCI Downhill World Champion, Greg Minnaar emphasizes, “brakes are my best friend, precise braking helps me carry speed, letting me ride faster.”

Since brakes turn the kinetic energy of a rider into heat, managing that heat is the most important part of high-end brake engineering. SHIMANO’s ICE TECH levers, calipers, rotors, and brake pads all play a huge role in braking consistency.

“You can lose seconds in a race run when your brakes fade, you need confidence to attack the track and you can’t have confidence in a brake that fades,” Minnaar explains.

The accumulation of heat begins with the friction points of the brake system and SHIMANO has developed unique features ICE TECH brake pads and rotors to help prevent heat buildup. ICE TECH brake pads have added cooling fins which draw heat away from the caliper. A cool brake pad is a consistent brake pad and gives any rider the confidence that the brakes will not glaze over and lose power. 

The other friction point in the system is the brake rotor and SHIMANO’s ICE TECH rotors have a proprietary 3-layer design. The steel outer surfaces provide durability and stopping power, but what’s special is inside. Mated between the steel surfaces is an aluminum layer, which further aids in heat dissipation. Taking things a step further, the XTR and XT-level rotors feature FREEZA technology, which extends the surface area of the aluminum further out to provide more cooling. For the ultimate in cooling performance, XTR rotors also feature an extra layer of heat-dissipating black paint to keep things extra cool. It isn’t overkill, it is just what’s needed to meet the highest demands in the world.

The FREEZA rotors are amazing, reduced heat allows the brake to be more consistent, letting us reduce the rotor size for more clearance,” Minnaar says.

The friction points are just the start of heat management in the ICE TECHNOLOGIES system. Starting at the pads and rotors, heat is then transferred to the calipers, hoses, and oil. ICE TECH brake calipers house ceramic pistons, which help to stop the transfer of heat into the hydraulic oil system, keeping temperatures at bay. Even the hoses have specially designed fittings on the caliper that dissipate heat and minimize transfer into the rest of the brake line from a heated caliper.

At the core of the system is SHIMANO’s proprietary mineral oil, which has a higher boiling point than DOT brake fluids, but also provides additional benefits beyond cooling. Two other features of mineral oil are that it is hydrophobic, meaning it won’t absorb water while sitting out, and it is much less toxic than DOT, making it much safer to handle and dispose of.

Cooler brakes not only provide more consistent and confident braking power, but better heat management also keeps the brake system running longer. At more consistent temperatures, brake pads last longer and rotors that stay cooler and are less prone to warping or bending. With the high-temp boiling point of SHIMANO’s mineral oil, ICE TECH brake systems are not only less prone to brake fade, but also leaves more time for big descents and less time bleeding brakes. Safer rides and less maintenance means more time for fearless descents.

All of this technology is great in theory, but it means nothing without translating to better performance and durability in the real world. Whether it’s the descent of a lifetime, cut into the high alpine hillsides of the Alps, or a world championship winning downhill run, SHIMANO’s ICE TECHNOLOGIES are designed to provide long-lasting confidence to trust your brakes in any situation. 

Never lose power, and never fade.