Lightest Brake Caliper + Disc

[stetson]

Hi Everyone!

I'm looking to buy the lightest possible brake caliper and disc. My only requirement is that the disc has to be a minimum of 3 mm thick and the parts can't be meant for a bike.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Denny]

When it comes to brakes, light is not good!!

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Balsa wood. Master Hack?

 

[Master Hack]

Balsa wood. Master Hack?

That's a great idea! I'll have Egor work on developing a Billet Balsa caliper and rotor. Stay tuned!

 

[Hellion]

Hydraulic or mechanical? Why not bike parts? What's the application?

They're making fun of you for your mostly impossible question.

 

[stetson]

Oh yeah, that makes sense. Sorry for the vague question. This is for a fuel efficient vehicle competition, specifically the Shell Eco-marathon. All we care about is making a light car and passing tech inspection. I was just curious if anyone in the in the go-kart world had recommendations for lightweight brakes, as go-kart brakes seem like they would be lighter than normal cars or motorcycle brakes.

As for hydraulic or mechanical, we're looking for hydraulic. And for why not bike parts, the rules specifically say that we can't use bike parts.
The lightest we've been able to find so far are the PS1 or GP200 brakes from Wilwood.

 

[Functional Artist]

Here is the type of hydraulic brake set up, used on Hammerhead (& others) go karts
...& even has a manual E-brake/Parking brake capability

IIRC the spindles & hubs are Aluminum
...so, they shouldn't be too heavy

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145338948465?hash=item21d6e05b71:g:MuEAAOSwu~tjrRRt&amdata=enc:AQAIAAABEK55vwkRRP48rP+ZMmz6emaQTmxX6conFUsLro/08wj7ChnvGLNH3mVGHdvoguomYTNPVrREVEWCszZYyeMxOBaChm/Ji620qlb8VN3F6Nhk/2Glev2cU+PeMvaschUzo/sRZrWeJtmYPGtzUZfZLPV/OvyLuBC9bYF+6I8ox0M6UsDogIkgaDMhnHmtIb2x3n4vHddzEGk7tqNoLCM2IeBRzsJSS5AfrdTgPvufPmlUF0ONYD6Ad1sZyxVxoaQZRvDgOmnc0rNjzMfVdD7CN8hJFpEjJCLnLi0f/ahfuQYj8ho1hmqu+s68Hsy3RAwU8zI0HshF5BWXeJlGDaME7W1XMpqWHvV9qBq6eIuSRV78|tkp:Bk9SR4aZno32Yg

 

[TNThomas]

I am not sure on how long you need to have the brake work for the competition, but I saw a ghetto setup on a motorcycle once where they didn't have a disc brake for their hydraulic braking at all. Instead they mounted their caliper so it grabbed onto the rear drive sprocket (the big sprocket), on the small area that the chain didn't connect to. You would not want to oil your chain in this case. But hey, less weight!

 

[stetson]

Here is the type of hydraulic brake set up, used on Hammerhead (& others) go karts
...& even has a manual E-brake/Parking brake capability

IIRC the spindles & hubs are Aluminum
...so, they shouldn't be too heavy

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145338948465?hash=item21d6e05b71:g:MuEAAOSwu~tjrRRt&amdata=enc:AQAIAAABEK55vwkRRP48rP+ZMmz6emaQTmxX6conFUsLro/08wj7ChnvGLNH3mVGHdvoguomYTNPVrREVEWCszZYyeMxOBaChm/Ji620qlb8VN3F6Nhk/2Glev2cU+PeMvaschUzo/sRZrWeJtmYPGtzUZfZLPV/OvyLuBC9bYF+6I8ox0M6UsDogIkgaDMhnHmtIb2x3n4vHddzEGk7tqNoLCM2IeBRzsJSS5AfrdTgPvufPmlUF0ONYD6Ad1sZyxVxoaQZRvDgOmnc0rNjzMfVdD7CN8hJFpEjJCLnLi0f/ahfuQYj8ho1hmqu+s68Hsy3RAwU8zI0HshF5BWXeJlGDaME7W1XMpqWHvV9qBq6eIuSRV78|tkp:Bk9SR4aZno32Yg

Awesome, thank you! We'll definitely take a look at these.

 

[stetson]

I am not sure on how long you need to have the brake work for the competition, but I saw a ghetto setup on a motorcycle once where they didn't have a disc brake for their hydraulic braking at all. Instead they mounted their caliper so it grabbed onto the rear drive sprocket (the big sprocket), on the small area that the chain didn't connect to. You would not want to oil your chain in this case. But hey, less weight!

Lol this sounds interesting. I doubt the judges would let that slide but maybe we'll ask them for next year.

 

[jae_roughneck]

Have you searched pocket bike brakes?
Looking very similar to bicycle brakes, but made and sold for a pocket bike...

 

[JimD]

TNThomas -- back in the 60's several of the racing kart manufacturers used the rear sprocket for the brake using either hydraulic or mechanical brake. But like you indicated, over oiling the chain made this set up nearly useless once the sprocket got coated with oil. But it was better than a scrub brake on the wheel and it did eliminate parts and weight.

What is the engine they are using now in the Shell-eco marathon, still a Briggs?