Multiple piston calipers
07 February 2009, 11:35 PM
#1
Multiple piston calipers
Seeing all these K-sport caliper ads, here and magazines. It got wondering why a caliper would need so many pistons. Obviously 4 and 6 for big rotors is understandable, but when you are talking about the 8 and even 12 pots, the pistons are so small. Surely its just more things that can go wrong, ie sticky pistons.
Anyone care to enlighten me?
Anyone care to enlighten me?
08 February 2009, 11:14 AM
#2
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A large number of small "pots" spread the leverage across the LENGTH of the pad.... they also keep the volume of fluid needed to a minimum, so pedal travel stays short and firm.
imho six is enough for any normal set-up, for TA maybe more, but it does seem overkill to me.
HTH
dunx
imho six is enough for any normal set-up, for TA maybe more, but it does seem overkill to me.
HTH
dunx
Last edited by dunx; 08 February 2009 at 01:13 PM.
08 February 2009, 11:46 AM
#3
I disagree , the smaller the pistons will spread the load over a smaller area on the pads , the pressure will be concentrated along a thin line up the centre of the pad , on a 4 or 6 pot caliper the pistons are a larger diameter so will spread the load wider on the pads , on a small pad , I think even a 6 pot caliper is too much , the 6 pots are better on the longer pads .
It seems to me more of a sales gimmick to me as a lot of people think 8 & 10 pot calipers means they are better. If it was the way forward I'm sure the main players in caliper design would be doing it.
Cheers Ian
It seems to me more of a sales gimmick to me as a lot of people think 8 & 10 pot calipers means they are better. If it was the way forward I'm sure the main players in caliper design would be doing it.
Cheers Ian
11 February 2009, 10:30 AM
#7
I disagree , the smaller the pistons will spread the load over a smaller area on the pads , the pressure will be concentrated along a thin line up the centre of the pad , on a 4 or 6 pot caliper the pistons are a larger diameter so will spread the load wider on the pads , on a small pad , I think even a 6 pot caliper is too much , the 6 pots are better on the longer pads .
It seems to me more of a sales gimmick to me as a lot of people think 8 & 10 pot calipers means they are better. If it was the way forward I'm sure the main players in caliper design would be doing it.
Cheers Ian
It seems to me more of a sales gimmick to me as a lot of people think 8 & 10 pot calipers means they are better. If it was the way forward I'm sure the main players in caliper design would be doing it.
Cheers Ian
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11 February 2009, 03:03 PM
#9
12 pots is a gimmick as is 8 over 6. However they still work perfectly well and arent of detriment to the reliability or performance of the product so only increase the size of the potential market (i.e. including bling boys as well as the serious performance customer base) which in turn leads to greater economies of scale and thus lower retail prices.
Its win win for all involved
Its win win for all involved
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