Disc Brakes Took over the Cycling World. Here's Why That Was a Mistake
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Re: Disc Brakes Took over the Cycling World. Here's Why That Was a Mistake
#2I used to do fast descents of Bonny Doon and similar. Think 60Mph / 100kmhr at the base. With my fat butt and damp brakes I would run through the stop signs at the bottom using rim brakes.
I’ll never go back to rim brakes now that I’ve had discs. I still use my rim brake bikes for clear weather around town. For real work it is discs every single time.
The author seems to have only used bicycles in optimal conditions.
Re: Disc Brakes Took over the Cycling World. Here's Why That Was a Mistake
#3> Nobody Asked For Them
After riding a mountain bike with disk brakes, I couldn't wait to get a road bike with disk brakes.
> Then Why Did We Get Them?
Because they're better. Full stop. I can stop faster with less effort.
> Rim Brakes Are Better For Most Riders Most Of The Time
I don't need any brakes at all most of the time either, but when I need them I really need them.
Re: Disc Brakes Took over the Cycling World. Here's Why That Was a Mistake
#4I like my titanium road bike with rim brakes, I really do. But 700x28 is really the maximum tire size you can possibly fit with rim brakes. With tires trending wider - and for good reason - rim brakes are really getting left out. More often than not, I ride my gravel bike with 700x38 simply because it's a cushier ride. Good rim brakes (cantilever need not apply) can't handle a tire that size.
Re: Disc Brakes Took over the Cycling World. Here's Why That Was a Mistake
#5I don't know. I live in an area that tends to be wet a lot, and for me, there's no question that disc brakes were a serious improvement on my road bike. Caliper brakes suck when everything is wet, but disc brakes keep working. And mine don't howl as they do so.
They have their downsides, certainly, but overall I prefer them.
Re: Disc Brakes Took over the Cycling World. Here's Why That Was a Mistake
#6> Nobody Asked For Them After riding a mountain bike with disk brakes, I couldn't wait to get a road bike with disk brakes. > Then Why Did We Get Them? Because they're better. Full stop. I can stop faster with less effort. > Rim Brakes Are Better For Most Riders Most Of The Time I don't need any brakes at all most of the time either, but when I need them I really need them.
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Re: Disc Brakes Took over the Cycling World. Here's Why That Was a Mistake
#7This seems a bit extreme. My take:
* Mountain bikes are better with them. I hate the low tolerances in terms of adjusting the damn things though.
* I guess they're better with carbon rims on road bikes?
* But the 'limiting factor' in stopping a road bike in most cases is the road/tire contact patch, not the brakes. I can lock up a road bike just fine with caliper brakes.
Re: Disc Brakes Took over the Cycling World. Here's Why That Was a Mistake
#8If you're not an avid cyclist please take this article with a grain of salt. It's largely understood that disc brakes are better, full stop.
A few guys in my cycling group who are still on rim brakes will not take the really fun descents, even when it's completely dry. They don't trust them. Pad fade, overheating brake surfaces causing de-lamination and popping inner tubes.
So, sure, if all you're ever going to do is ride on a flat surface in dry conditions rim brakes are fine, but not better.
It's arguable rim brakes are slightly more aero. I like my bones unbroken, so I'll take the penalty.
I also find servicing hydraulic disc brakes to be more intuitive. Having to fiddle with the tension of rim brakes' mechanical cables to get them just right was always much more cumbersome to me.
Re: Disc Brakes Took over the Cycling World. Here's Why That Was a Mistake
#9Uhhh yeah, do yourself a favor, pay no attention to this article. Always buy hydraulic disc brakes whenever possible. The rest of the bike can be whatever, but when it comes to stopping power, you will smile endlessly from the smooth yet responsive safety hydraulic disc brakes provide. They are inexpensive and easy to replace, and need much less maintenance to adjust. Every single time you brake, at all, you will be thankful. The only thing close to as important IMHO is good lights.
Re: Disc Brakes Took over the Cycling World. Here's Why That Was a Mistake
#10> Well, enter a new system intended for motor vehicles that requires fluids, frame reinforcements, and cumbersome axle fasteners and professional servicing
None of that is true.
Frame/axle changes also apply to calliper brakes and really any part that attaches to the bike.
You can get cable actuated disc brakes that don't require any professional servicing. But if you do go with say 4 piston hydraulic then you get significantly better braking performance. Which if you're doing bike packing, touring, mountain biking etc is a huge benefit.
Also of all the things in your bike cheapening out on brakes is stupid. It can be the difference between life and death.