A piston system configured for use in a brake system is disclosed. The piston system can include: a piston that moves within a caliper during braking operations; and an articulating joint located between the piston and a brake pad, wherein the braking force passes through the articulating joint during a braking operation. Different types of articulating joints are also described.

A tension brake assembly includes a frame, a plurality of brake pad assemblies, and a hub configured to be coupled to a rotating component. The hub includes a plurality of drive pins adjacent an annular wall. A rotor engages the plurality of drive pins such that rotation of the hub causes rotation of the rotor while permitting axial movement relative to the annular wall. The rotor has friction surfaces for engagement with the brake pad assemblies. An actuator is provided. Movement of the actuator in a first direction moves the friction components together in the axial direction to increase friction exerted by the tension brake assembly. Movement of the actuator in a second direction moves the friction components away from one another in the axial direction to decrease friction exerted by the tension brake assembly.

A radiating spacer includes a plate body having a backing plate facing side and a caliper facing side, with the backing plate facing side having a plurality of cooling grooves and the caliper facing side having a planar caliper piston contact area. The cooling grooves extend partially into the plate body to provide additional cooling of the brake pad and braking assembly. The planar caliper piston contact area is configured to provide a flat surface for contact with a caliper piston. In some embodiments, the radiating spacer and the backing plate are made from different metal materials having certain thermal conductivity coefficients to help promote advantageous heat distribution.

A radiating spacer includes a plate body having a backing plate facing side and a caliper facing side, with the backing plate facing side having a plurality of cooling grooves and the caliper facing side having a planar caliper piston contact area. The cooling grooves extend partially into the plate body to provide additional cooling of the brake pad and braking assembly. The planar caliper piston contact area is configured to provide a flat surface for contact with a caliper piston. In some embodiments, the radiating spacer and the backing plate are made from different metal materials having certain thermal conductivity coefficients to help promote advantageous heat distribution.

A brake pad may have at least one plate. The plate may be provided with a first slot. The first slot may have a first slot edge adapted to accommodate a first pin. The first slot edge may have a first portion and a second portion, in which the brake pad has a tangential center-of-gravity plane. The first and second portions may be crossed by the tangential center-of-gravity plane so that under a reverse braking condition the brake pad rests against the first pin in at least a first contact point of the first slot. Under a forward braking condition the brake pad rests against the first pin in at least a second contact point of the first slot in which the second contact point of first slot lies in the tangential center-of-gravity plane.

A brake pad may have at least one plate. The plate may be provided with a first slot. The first slot may have a first slot edge adapted to accommodate a first pin. The first slot edge may have a first portion and a second portion, in which the brake pad has a tangential center-of-gravity plane. The first and second portions may be crossed by the tangential center-of-gravity plane so that under a reverse braking condition the brake pad rests against the first pin in at least a first contact point of the first slot. Under a forward braking condition the brake pad rests against the first pin in at least a second contact point of the first slot in which the second contact point of first slot lies in the tangential center-of-gravity plane.

A brake pad may have at least one plate and at least one friction material supported by the plate. The friction material surface may have a barycenter. The plate may have a first slot and a second slot. The first slot may have a first slot edge adapted to accommodate a first pin mounted on the caliper body. The second slot may have a second slot edge adapted to accommodate a second pin mounted on the caliper body. In a forward braking condition, the brake pad rests on the first pin with a first slot first portion, and the brake pad rests on the second pin with a second slot first portion. The first slot is arranged in a radially outer position with respect to the barycenter and the second slot is arranged in a radially inner position with respect to the barycenter. The first slot and the second slot may be radially external with respect to a barycenter circumference centered on a rotation axis and passing through a barycenter.

A brake pad may have at least one plate and at least one friction material supported by the plate. The friction material surface may have a barycenter. The plate may have a first slot and a second slot. The first slot may have a first slot edge adapted to accommodate a first pin mounted on the caliper body. The second slot may have a second slot edge adapted to accommodate a second pin mounted on the caliper body. In a forward braking condition, the brake pad rests on the first pin with a first slot first portion, and the brake pad rests on the second pin with a second slot first portion. The first slot is arranged in a radially outer position with respect to the barycenter and the second slot is arranged in a radially inner position with respect to the barycenter. The first slot and the second slot may be radially external with respect to a barycenter circumference centered on a rotation axis and passing through a barycenter.

A brake pad assembly for a bicycle includes a first brake pad, a second brake pad, and a spreader spring. The first brake pad has a first backing plate with a first rotor facing surface, and a first friction pad secured to the rotor facing surface. The second brake pad has a second backing plate with a second rotor facing surface, and a second friction pad secured to the second rotor facing surface and facing the first friction pad. The spreader spring has a first leaf that is fixed to the first brake pad and a second leaf that is fixed to the second brake pad. At least a portion of the first leaf is positioned between the first rotor facing surface and the first friction pad, and at least a portion of the second leaf is positioned between the second rotor facing surface and the second friction pad.

A brake pad assembly for a bicycle includes a first brake pad, a second brake pad, and a spreader spring. The first brake pad has a first backing plate with a first rotor facing surface, and a first friction pad secured to the rotor facing surface. The second brake pad has a second backing plate with a second rotor facing surface, and a second friction pad secured to the second rotor facing surface and facing the first friction pad. The spreader spring has a first leaf that is fixed to the first brake pad and a second leaf that is fixed to the second brake pad. At least a portion of the first leaf is positioned between the first rotor facing surface and the first friction pad, and at least a portion of the second leaf is positioned between the second rotor facing surface and the second friction pad.