The Brembo brake master cylinder destined to revolutionize the way you ride your bike

5/16/2019

 Benefits, prices and usage of the Brembo 19 RCS Corsa Corta: the only brake master cylinder that lets you adjust both the fulcrum-to-piston distance and the bite point

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​It hasn't been around very long, but it is already making a name for itself. We're talking about the 19RCS CORSA CORTA master cylinder, the new radial master cylinder from Brembo that draws its inspiration from Brembo's extensive experience in MotoGP. In the premier class and in racing, Brembo guarantees the right braking feeling for every rider. 


 

A feeling that now we also want to guarantee to those who ride in their spare time, both on the road and on the track.​ After reading the presentation article that we published recently (link), many of you contacted us on social networks or via E-mail to ask for further explanations and clarifications. ​

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Here are the 25 most popular questions and the relative answers.​

 

 
 

What's new about the 19RCS CORSA CORTA consists in the possibility the rider has of adapting the brake bite point to the desired riding feeling. This is achieved using a selector switch located on the upper part of the master cylinder, so it is easy to access (patent pending for this technological solution).​

 

In MotoGP, the riders select the amount of play they prefer: with the 19 RCS Corsa Corta, so can you. Perfect for both racing and road use, this master cylinder has a serious of adjustments that allow braking to be fully mapped, adapting it to riding characteristics and the route.​

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1) ​What are the differences between the 19RCS and the 19RCS CORSA CORTA?

Unlike the 19RCS, with the 19RCS CORSA CORTA, the rider can adjust, for the first time in the world, the brake master cylinder play. 

 

2) ​What is the play?

The play of a master cylinder consists in the movement of the piston from brake lever total release position to the closing of the master cylinder's reservoir feed hole. During this movement, the pressure in the braking circuit does not increase and, consequently, there will be no braking action. From the forward closing of the feed hole (effective stroke), the pressure in the braking circuit will increase until reaching the desired braking effect.​

 

3) ​Exactly what does it mean to adjust the play?

It means having the possibility of adjusting the inactive braking phase, in other words, the movement of the lever as the rider squeezes it before reaching the point at which the braking system begins to generate pressure.​

 

4) ​What are the benefits of this type of adjustment for the rider?

The new feature introduced with the 19RCS Corsa Corta consists precisely in the possibility for the rider to adapt the braking “bite point” to his or her own riding style and to the asphalt and weather conditions. With the new Corsa Corta, riders can tailor the braking system response that best meets their needs, habits and sensitivity. ​

 

5) ​How does the Normal map work?

In the Normal setting, the braking bite point is set in such a way to guarantee a more gradual initial phase, therefore suitable for city traffic or poor grip conditions. Basically, with the master cylinder set to “N”, the lever has a few mm of play before the braking action begins and that translates into a softer braking bite point. ​

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6)​ How does the Race map work?

It is possible but strongly discouraged because by removing a hand from the handlebar (which is, after all, prohibited by the highway code), you risk jeopardising your own safety and that of the people and vehicles around you. ​

 

7​)​ How does the Sport map work?​

It is possible but strongly discouraged because by removing a hand from the handlebar (which is, after all, prohibited by the highway code), you risk jeopardising your own safety and that of the people and vehicles around you. ​

 

8​)​ How do you switch from one mode to another?

It is possible but strongly discouraged because by removing a hand from the handlebar (which is, after all, prohibited by the highway code), you risk jeopardising your own safety and that of the people and vehicles around you. ​

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9)​ Can it be done on the fly?

It is possible but strongly discouraged because by removing a hand from the handlebar (which is, after all, prohibited by the highway code), you risk jeopardising your own safety and that of the people and vehicles around you. ​

 

10) ​Does the RCS Corsa corta allow braking force to be increased?

It depends on the originally installed master cylinder: the standard diameters are normally smaller than those of the 19 RCS Corsa Corta, so based on the larger piston and the more favourable ergonomics, both the effective power of the system and the way in which it is perceived increase.​ ​​​​

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11)​ How does the play adjustment differ from the traditional adjustment of the centre-to-centre distance already available on the previous versions of the Brembo RCS brake master cylinder?​

Centre-to-centre distance adjustment acts on the entire lever stroke, from the start of braking until reaching the desired pressure. Play adjustment, on the other hand, acts only on the very initial part of the stroke, the bite point​.​

 

12)​ Instead, what is the adjustment of the lever from the handlebar?​

With this adjustment, the distance of the brake lever can be positioned to the value the rider wants based hand size and specific preferences. Also, lever distance adjustment is predisposed for the application of the Remote Adjusting device, which allows the brake lever to be adjusted by acting on a knob located near the left hand grip, a very popular feature in racing use. This adjustment obviously does not have an impact on actual braking, but it allows the distance of the lever from the handlebar to be varied in order to adapt it to the hand, simply affecting its ergonomics.

 

13)​ How do the adjustments interact and how many combinations are available?

If we exclude the adjustment of the lever from the handlebar which is achieved with a series of clicks, the two systems that allow the lever centre-to-centre distance and stroke to be set are entirely independent of one another. Integration of the two and the 6 combinations integrate perfectly with one another, allowing very fine tuning of the braking maps. ​

 

14)​ Are there recommended play adjustments for each situation or riding style?

There are no detailed guidelines. The adjustment settings must be made considering the conditions of the terrain and the bike's settings, but above all, your own personal needs. However, you do need to know the effects these adjustments have on braking: adjustment of the lever centre-to-centre distance acts on the entire lever stroke, making braking more responsive (int. 20) or more modular (int. 18). Adjustment of the play determines the braking start point: with the R map, braking starts as soon as you touch the lever; with the N map, this bite is softened, whereas with the S map, an intermediate response is achieved.​

 

15) ​Does the 19RCS CORSA CORTA on the track have lower performance than a traditional radial master cylinder?

Absolutely not. The performance is the same as that of the already tried and true 19RCS. Just imagine that some riders have asked to use it on the track for professional racing.​

 

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16)​ How is the 19 RCS Corsa corta derived from MotoGP?

The need to “personalise” the play (the braking bite point), is a need that stems from GP races, despite the fact that the adjustment with 3 maps is not on the levers of the riders in the top class. In all reality, the MotoGP and Superbike riders generally choose a particular configuration at the beginning of each season and the Brembo engineers assemble the master cylinders for the riders based on their preferences. During the season, some riders prefer to maintain the same configuration on all of the tracks, whereas others change it depending on the circuit. The 19 RCS Corsa Corta meets the same need, providing 3 different options that are easy to switch. ​

 

17) ​I only use my bike on the road: is the 19RCS CORSA CORTA suitable for this use?

Absolutely yes because a radial master cylinder is always more effective than a traditional master cylinder. Furthermore, compared to traditional brake master cylinders. With its adjustments, the 19 RCS Corsa Corta also lets you set up braking exactly the way you want it. ​

 

18) ​Being so sophisticated, is the 19RCS CORSA CORTA at greater risk of breaking?

No, because all the materials and production processes have been selected in order to prevent any problems and then validated through highly strenuous testing, both in the laboratory and on the road. The user can change the map as often as he or she wants without this having any repercussions on master cylinder wear.​

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​19) ​How is it made?

The body of the 19RCS Corsa Corta is made in forged aluminium alloy, machined using 5-axis CAM technology. Hard oxidation was chosen for the finish, which guarantees significant resistance to wear for the master cylinder body and excellent sliding for the components. The float, the gaskets and the bleed and feed system seats (inclined more than 30° to facilitate maintenance operations) are the same as those used in MotoGP.​

 

20) ​Which bikes is it available for? Can it also be installed on a bike that doesn't use Brembo brakes?

For all of the most common sport and supersport bikes, medium-large engine capacity sport naked bikes and the best selling sport-tourers. Of course, the 19RCS Corsa Corta also works perfectly with braking components (both OEM and aftermarket) made by other manufacturers. The important thing is that the bike's braking system is twin-disc with 4 piston calipers, but not floating. In the case of a different braking system, the correct hydraulic ratios would not be observed and there would be a risk of malfunction for the entire braking system that could jeopardise safety.​

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21) ​Is the 19RCS CORSA CORTA difficult to install?

No, but it is a delicate operation that we recommend having done by qualified personnel: in fact, in some cases, in addition to obvious operations (connection of the brake lines, connection of the fluid reservoir, connection of the brake light switch and system bleeding), small adjustments must be made. Safety is nothing to toy with and it could be jeopardised by an installation that is not up to the highest trade standards. ​

 

22) ​In the event of a fall or accident, are replacement parts more expensive than a traditional master cylinder?

No, because as with the 19RCS, the lever is articulated, so it bends but does not break and, in the event of breakage, changing the entire lever unit is no longer necessary: on the 19RCS CORSA CORTA, simply remove the rotation pin and replace the damaged lever component with a new one. In fact, the core of the adjusting unit is an integral part of the master cylinder body.​

​23) Doesn't replacing the brake master cylinder compromise the aesthetics of the bike?​

To the contrary, the design of the 19RCS CORSA CORTA gives the bike a more dynamic and sporty look. Brembo believes strongly in this project and, in fact, has filed a patent not only for the technological characteristics of the master cylinder, but also for its design.​

 

24) ​Does the 19RCS CORSA CORTA require any particular maintenance?

No, because although it is the first brake master cylinder in the world with these features, this model is a derivative of the 19RCS which, in turn, never required any specific maintenance. ​

 

25) ​Is the 19RCS CORSA CORTA very expensive?

While price perception is subjective, in our opinion, the answer is “No” if we consider the potential and the quality of the product, its direct derivation from MotoGP technologies and the performance that the Corsa Corta guarantees.​

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