Tektro MD-C550 Mechanical Disc Brake Caliper – Flat Mount, front or rear
The Tektro MD-C550 is a cable-actuated, dual-piston flat-mount disc brake caliper for drop-bar bikes with road brake levers. Sold per piece, it fits front or rear – order two for a complete bike. Both pads move, so you get even, controlled braking with the simplicity of a cable.
What is included
| Part | Qty |
|---|---|
| Tektro MD-C550 mechanical flat-mount caliper (front or rear) | 1 |
Which adapter do I need?
| Position | Rotor | Adapter |
|---|---|---|
| Rear | 140 mm | None – the caliper mounts directly on the flat-mount frame |
| Rear | 160 mm | Tektro Flat Mount Brake Adapter – Rear 160 mm |
| Front | 140 or 160 mm | Tektro Flat Mount Brake Adapter – Front 140/160 mm (reversible: one adapter for both sizes) |
Front: with the front adapter
At the front the caliper is fitted through the Tektro flat-mount front adapter. It is reversible: one side for a 140 mm rotor, the other for 160 mm.
Rear: adapter only for 160 mm
With a 140 mm rear rotor the caliper mounts directly on the frame. For a 160 mm rear rotor add the Tektro flat-mount rear adapter, 160 mm.
Why the MD-C550?
Dual-piston, cable-actuated. Both pads of the MD-C550 move toward the rotor, which keeps it centred and gives even, controlled braking.
One caliper, front or rear. The same caliper works at both ends – buy one as a spare or two for a complete bike.
Made for road levers. The MD-C550 works with the road (short-pull) lever ratio, such as the microSHIFT SB-N080 and SB-N110 drop-bar levers for Shimano Alfine hubs.
No fluid, no bleeding. A cable and a few hand tools are enough for service, wherever you are.
Both pads clamp the rotor
A single-sided mechanical brake pushes the rotor against a fixed pad, which can feel weak and needs frequent adjusting. On the MD-C550 both pads move toward the rotor, so it is clamped from both sides, and each pad can be adjusted on its own.
Who is it for?
- Gear-hub and belt-drive riders with drop bars. Paired with microSHIFT SB-N080 (Alfine 8) or SB-N110 (Alfine 11) levers, it completes a quiet, clean, all-weather cockpit.
- Touring riders. A mechanical brake needs no bleeding and no brake fluid, and a standard brake cable is available in almost every bike shop.
- Anyone replacing one caliper. Sold per piece, so you only buy what you need.
Compatibility
| Caliper | Tektro MD-C550, front or rear |
|---|---|
| Actuation | Mechanical, cable-actuated, dual-piston |
| Levers | Road drop-bar levers with road (short) cable pull, e.g. microSHIFT SB-N080 / SB-N110; not for long-pull flat-bar levers |
| Mount | Flat mount |
| Rotor | 1.8 mm thick, 140 or 160 mm (not included) |
| Not included | Adapters, brake levers, rotors, brake cables and housings |
Frequently asked questions
Is this one caliper or a pair?
One caliper. It fits front or rear, so for a complete bike order two.
Do I need an adapter?
At the rear with a 140 mm rotor, no. At the rear with a 160 mm rotor, use the Tektro flat-mount rear adapter for 160 mm. At the front, use the Tektro flat-mount front adapter, which works with 140 and 160 mm rotors. The adapters are sold separately.
Are the brake levers included?
No. The microSHIFT SB-N080 (Alfine 8) and SB-N110 (Alfine 11) drop-bar shift and brake lever pairs are sold separately in our shop.
Which rotor do I need?
A 1.8 mm thick disc rotor in 140 mm or 160 mm diameter, matching your hub (centerlock or six-bolt). The Tektro TR-35 centerlock rotor is 1.8 mm thick and available from us in 140 and 160 mm.
Can I use it with hydraulic levers?
No. The MD-C550 is a mechanical brake operated by a steel cable and needs cable-pull road levers.
About Tektro
Tektro was founded in 1986 in Changhua, Taiwan, and makes bicycle brakes, rotors and brake parts both for bike manufacturers and for the aftermarket. Tektro-branded brakes such as the MD-C550 focus on reliable, easy-to-service everyday and sport use.