Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This mechanical to hydraulic disc brake converter might be one of the coolest bike gadgets I've found on AliExpress. It’s from a brand called IIIPro (3Pro), costs less than £50, and claims to transform any old-school mechanical shifter into a fully hydraulic braking system, complete with dual-piston calipers!
SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below): srko.co/tracevelo
In this episode, I’ll show you the build quality, get it installed on a road bike, bleed the system, and ultimately test whether this budget hydraulic conversion kit actually works. Could this be the perfect upgrade for riders running mechanical groupsets or mechanical disc brakes like the TRP Spyre? Let’s find out.
The build:
I fitted the kit to a carbon OG-EVKIN road bike frame with Micro-New mechanical shifters and Shimano 105 R7000 derailleurs to see if it really delivers “hydraulic” performance on a budget mechanical groupset.
Why it’s interesting:
This idea is nothing new, the Giant’s Conduct SL system did something similar back in 2016, but this kit is lighter, far cheaper, and much easier to get hold of.
My thoughts:
-Great braking performance, very close to fully hydraulic
-Noticeably stronger and sharper than any mechanical caliper
-A bit tricky to bleed and mount on the bike
For £50, though… this is one seriously impressive upgrade for anyone wanting hydraulic-like braking without changing their groupset.
AliExpress links - (affiliate links, they help support the channel at no extra cost)
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3QXW93H
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c36EuPEp
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:46 – Hydraulic converter - Info & cost
02:43 – Bike build overview
04:35 – Hydraulic converter - design & weight
05:48 – Hydraulic converter - install & bleed
07:31 – Siroko sponsor
08:21 – Brake bleed info
11:17 – Use cases
12:39 – Bike reveal and brake test
14:55 – Install issue
16:10 – Considerations & conclusion
18:41 – Bonus clip
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
This mechanical to hydraulic disc brake converter might be one of the coolest bike gadgets I've found on AliExpress. It’s from a brand called IIIPro (3Pro), costs less than £50, and claims to transform any old-school mechanical shifter into a fully hydraulic braking system, complete with dual-piston calipers!
SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below): srko.co/tracevelo
In this episode, I’ll show you the build quality, get it installed on a road bike, bleed the system, and ultimately test whether this budget hydraulic conversion kit actually works. Could this be the perfect upgrade for riders running mechanical groupsets or mechanical disc brakes like the TRP Spyre? Let’s find out.
The build:
I fitted the kit to a carbon OG-EVKIN road bike frame with Micro-New mechanical shifters and Shimano 105 R7000 derailleurs to see if it really delivers “hydraulic” performance on a budget mechanical groupset.
Why it’s interesting:
This idea is nothing new, the Giant’s Conduct SL system did something similar back in 2016, but this kit is lighter, far cheaper, and much easier to get hold of.
My thoughts:
-Great braking performance, very close to fully hydraulic
-Noticeably stronger and sharper than any mechanical caliper
-A bit tricky to bleed and mount on the bike
For £50, though… this is one seriously impressive upgrade for anyone wanting hydraulic-like braking without changing their groupset.
AliExpress links - (affiliate links, they help support the channel at no extra cost)
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3QXW93H
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c36EuPEp
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:46 – Hydraulic converter - Info & cost
02:43 – Bike build overview
04:35 – Hydraulic converter - design & weight
05:48 – Hydraulic converter - install & bleed
07:31 – Siroko sponsor
08:21 – Brake bleed info
11:17 – Use cases
12:39 – Bike reveal and brake test
14:55 – Install issue
16:10 – Considerations & conclusion
18:41 – Bonus clip
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
