Freakynuts® Development Update #1 | Prototype / Pre-Launch | October 2026
“SAME SHIMANO. DIFFERENT FEEL.”
What if your Shimano brakes could feel completely different?
We love Shimano brakes. They’re reliable, proven and trusted by mountain bikers around the world. But at Freakynuts, we kept asking ourselves one question: what if we could create a completely different lever feel without replacing the entire brake system?
Inspired by the direct, solid and controlled feeling of the SRAM Maven, we started experimenting with the Levers and than with internal mechanics of Shimano brake levers. Not with bigger rotors, different calipers or simply another lever blade. We went inside the mechanism itself.
Our goal was to develop a new internal system that changes the mechanical interaction inside the brake lever, allowing us to explore a different and more defined braking feel while keeping the existing Shimano brake platform.
Introducing the Freakynuts Linear Internal System
Over the past months, we’ve been developing and refining a new linear internal mechanism for Shimano brake levers. The idea is straightforward: create a more direct, defined and predictable feeling at the lever by rethinking how the internal components interact.
We’re chasing that solid, controlled sensation that makes brakes like the SRAM Maven and TRP so interesting to ride. Not because we’re trying to copy another brake system, but because we believe there’s more potential inside the Shimano platforms many riders already own.
Our development focuses on lever feedback, mechanical consistency and the relationship between finger movement and the internal actuation mechanism. We’re not claiming identical braking power or performance to the Maven. We’re exploring a different lever character, and our early prototype impressions are encouraging.
Three Shimano Platforms. One Development Goal.
Getting the internal geometry right took more time than expected. Each brake platform presented its own challenges, and simply making a part fit wasn’t enough. We needed to refine the positioning, movement and interaction of the components within the existing lever housing.
After several prototype iterations, we’ve now reached an important milestone: our current designs fit three Shimano brake families.
Shimano Deore
The Shimano Deore is one of the most widely used brake platforms in mountain biking. Bringing our linear internal concept to Deore was an important part of the project because we wanted to explore the potential of a system that doesn’t require riders to replace their complete brakes.
📸 PHOTO 3 — SHIMANO DEORE
Close-up of the actual Deore lever with the Freakynuts prototype installed. Show the lever and internal mechanism where possible. Caption: “Shimano Deore — our linear internal prototype fitted inside the existing lever platform.”
Shimano XT (Classic)
The Shimano XT Classic has played an important role in our recent development work. We’ve spent considerable time refining the internal fit and mechanical movement, and this is also the platform featured in our first installation video. The results are promising, and we’re continuing to evaluate the behavior of the mechanism during repeated use.
📸 PHOTO 4 — SHIMANO XT CLASSIC
Macro photograph of the opened XT Classic lever with the new system installed. Caption: “Shimano XT Classic — a closer look at the Freakynuts linear internal mechanism.”
Shimano Saint
Shimano Saint is closely associated with gravity riding, making it an especially interesting platform for our development work. Getting our prototype to fit the Saint lever is another important step, although fitment alone doesn’t establish suitability for demanding downhill use. Mechanical durability and reliable behavior under repeated high loads remain key parts of the validation process.
📸 PHOTO 5 — SHIMANO SAINT
Detailed photograph of the Saint brake lever and its actual installed prototype. Caption: “Shimano Saint — expanding our prototype development to Shimano’s gravity-oriented brake family.”
Watch the Prototype Installation Shimano XT Classic
Sometimes a video explains more than a thousand words. We’ve recorded the installation of our linear internal prototype inside a Shimano XT Classic lever, giving you a first look at how the mechanism integrates into the existing assembly. It’s an early development demonstration, not an installation guide for a commercially released product.
Prototype Development: Materials, Testing & Refinement
We’ve already been riding with prototype versions for some time and gathering our own impressions of the lever feel. Those first experiences have given us valuable information, but we’re still in the development stage.
One of our next steps is producing additional prototypes using an even stronger material. We want to continue improving component strength, mechanical consistency and long-term reliability before moving toward any commercial version.
We’re also studying how the mechanism behaves after repeated lever movements, how the components wear and whether the lever characteristics remain consistent over time. A brake lever is a safety-critical component, and that makes careful testing and validation essential.
📸 PHOTO 6 — PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT
Show two or three real prototype generations side by side, preferably on a workshop table with measuring tools in the background. Caption: “Design. Test. Adjust. Repeat. Our linear internal system continues to evolve.”
Next Step: Controlled Testing in Leogang
We’re planning some careful, controlled prototype testing in Leogang to gather additional impressions under more demanding riding conditions in Autumn with bad wetter and Temperature changes. The idea is to evaluate the system step by step and observe its behavior during actual use, without drawing premature conclusions about durability or performance.
These sessions are intended to support our ongoing development work. They are not a substitute for formal mechanical, durability and safety testing. We’ll use what we learn to guide the next prototype iterations.
📸 PHOTO 7 — LEOGANG TESTING
Use an authentic image of the test bike in Leogang, ideally showing the brake lever. Add this photo only after the testing has taken place. Caption: “Controlled prototype evaluation in Leogang — another step in our development process.”
Prototype / Pre-Launch Not Available for Sale Yet
Let’s make one thing clear: this is not a finished product launch. Our linear internal system is currently in the prototype / pre-launch phase.
A limited number of experimental prototypes may be made available for evaluation and observation. These are development components, not approved retail products, and they should not be regarded as validated aftermarket brake upgrades.
Before any commercial release, we still need to complete the necessary work on material strength, durability, functional reliability and compatibility. Final design details, supported brake models, specifications and availability may change.
We know there’s excitement around upgrades that can transform the feeling of an existing brake system. But we’re not interested in rushing something to market before we’re confident in the engineering.
Same Shimano. A Whole New Direction.
At Freakynuts, we believe that some of the most interesting improvements come from rethinking small mechanical details. You don’t always need to replace an entire component to explore a different approach.
With our new linear internal system, we’re investigating what is possible inside three established Shimano brake platforms: Deore, XT and Saint. The initial prototype work has brought us closer to the lever characteristics we’re looking for, and we’re excited to continue developing the concept.
Three Shimano platforms. One mechanical concept. A lot more development ahead.
We’re not ready to announce a release date, but we’ll keep sharing real development progress, installation footage, prototype improvements and testing updates.
📸 PHOTO 8 — FINAL TEASER
Use a dramatic close-up of the actual Freakynuts prototype next to a Shimano brake lever. Dark workshop background, sharp mechanical details. Text overlay: “DEORE. XT. SAINT. SOMETHING IS COMING.”
Follow the Development
Want to see where this project goes? Follow Freakynuts for the next development update and a closer look at the engineering behind our linear internal system.
KEEP WHAT WORKS. RETHINK WHAT CAN BE BETTER.
Freakynuts® — Engineered to Fit. Built to Last.
Development status: Prototype / Pre-Launch — October 2026. Freakynuts is an independent developer and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Shimano or SRAM. References to these brands are for identification and comparison purposes only. Prototype fitment and initial riding impressions do not establish final compatibility, braking performance or safety.
SEO Title: Shimano Deore, XT & Saint — Freakynuts Linear Brake Prototype
Meta Description: Discover the new Freakynuts linear internal brake lever prototype for Shimano Deore, XT and Saint. A behind-the-scenes look at development and testing.
URL Slug: shimano-deore-xt-saint-linear-brake-prototype
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