Road Bikes - Disc or Not
Discussion
Brads67 said:
Thing is I don`t care about them outperforming rim brakes. I don`t want them on my road bikes.
I`ve just had an 853 Rourke built and it would have looked awful to me with discs.
I went in Rourkes when bike shopping earlier this year. Didn't see anything that grabbed me from factory brands but an 853 with discs in a green / black combo looked ace and I ended up speaking to Wayne for age about build options. Downside was the 6 months (or more) waiting list - one for the future I think.I`ve just had an 853 Rourke built and it would have looked awful to me with discs.
E65Ross said:
Is it purely on aesthetics you don't like discs? Seems a bit odd considering they could be the difference between having a nasty accident or not.
In the dry at least I don't buy that view, I've got one of each, I prefer the rim set up & on my regular ride I come down a steep hill usually at approx 48/49mph to a dead stop heavy ish me on top & no complaints about the rims. 105 on boggo giant rims. I think it's probably useful to remember we're not all comparing like for like here. If you're using metal rims with a decent brake track you may not see the performance difference as significant enough to offset your aesthetic tastes, especially if your experience with discs is cable-activated. If you're using carbon rims with a carbon brake track and comparing them to hydraulic discs, I'd be surprised if many would fail to be convinced by the advantages.
Gruffy said:
I think it's probably useful to remember we're not all comparing like for like here. If you're using metal rims with a decent brake track you may not see the performance difference as significant enough to offset your aesthetic tastes, especially if your experience with discs is cable-activated. If you're using carbon rims with a carbon brake track and comparing them to hydraulic discs, I'd be surprised if many would fail to be convinced by the advantages.
I've got 2 bikes, 1 s 105 calipers on Shimano RS80 rims with swiss stop pads, The other is on Ultegra R8070 groupset. In the dry, the Ultegra one still feels nicer, just a more "crisp" feel to the lever (and the inners/outers on the old bike aren't that old, and using Jagwire outers). Whether it stops faster in the dry I'm not sure, but they feel nicer and more confidence inspiring, but in the wet there's no contest as to what I prefer.My experience is of the two extremes. Ultegra levers with Swiss Stop pads on the carbon track of Knight wheels vs hydraulic Ultegra/DA levers on discs. I love those Knights but the braking is pretty awful, even in the dry. Even comparing Mavic wheels with their much better Exalith brake track I found the difference really stark. I could lock the wheel on those (in the dry) but the confidence and feedback through the lever is so much better with hydraulic discs. I'm another that's been delaying a TT purchase until discs were an option. I can't foresee a situation where I wouldn't rather discs on any new bike.
Gruffy said:
My experience is of the two extremes. Ultegra levers with Swiss Stop pads on the carbon track of Knight wheels vs hydraulic Ultegra/DA levers on discs. I love those Knights but the braking is pretty awful, even in the dry. Even comparing Mavic wheels with their much better Exalith brake track I found the difference really stark. I could lock the wheel on those (in the dry) but the confidence and feedback through the lever is so much better with hydraulic discs. I'm another that's been delaying a TT purchase until discs were an option. I can't foresee a situation where I wouldn't rather discs on any new bike.
Wait do you mean you delayed a TT bike purchase due to no disc option? The irony is that you're never on the brakes during a TT since the courses are typically long straights with almost no junctions.Long, hilly rides in a wet North Wales or South Downs are a different kettle of proverbial fish altogether.
Essentially what I'm saying is buy based on requirements. Why spend the extra money on a disc option when it may not be necessary? Or alternatively if you ride in the wet and/or hilly regions then do make them a priority.
Edited by BeirutTaxi on Saturday 8th September 18:24
Ridden both, prefer rim brakes on my road bike, ‘cause I barely ride in the wet, I have aluminum rims, with excellent pads, that function extremely well, they are really light and super easy to maintain. I brake later and harder than 99.9% of my peers, modulation issues are not holding me back.
Have discs on both of my mountain bikes, really love them, rim brakes are crap when the rims are covered in mud. They need about the same amount of maintenance as rim brakes to keep them working well though, and that maintenance is sometimes a little more complex.
Have discs on both of my mountain bikes, really love them, rim brakes are crap when the rims are covered in mud. They need about the same amount of maintenance as rim brakes to keep them working well though, and that maintenance is sometimes a little more complex.
Kawasicki said:
Ridden both, prefer rim brakes on my road bike, ‘cause I barely ride in the wet, I have aluminum rims, with excellent pads, that function extremely well, they are really light and super easy to maintain. I brake later and harder than 99.9% of my peers, modulation issues are not holding me back.
Have discs on both of my mountain bikes, really love them, rim brakes are crap when the rims are covered in mud. They need about the same amount of maintenance as rim brakes to keep them working well though, and that maintenance is sometimes a little more complex.
Are you using cable discs? Have discs on both of my mountain bikes, really love them, rim brakes are crap when the rims are covered in mud. They need about the same amount of maintenance as rim brakes to keep them working well though, and that maintenance is sometimes a little more complex.
I find my hydraulics are near enough maintenance free beyond a fluid change every few years. Changing the pads is less hassle as well, what with them being self adjusting, and not susceptible to any lack in rim trueness.
ETA because how on earth did my tablet autocorrect "beyond" to "Bryon"????
Edited by Kermit power on Monday 10th September 11:32
Kermit power said:
Kawasicki said:
Ridden both, prefer rim brakes on my road bike, ‘cause I barely ride in the wet, I have aluminum rims, with excellent pads, that function extremely well, they are really light and super easy to maintain. I brake later and harder than 99.9% of my peers, modulation issues are not holding me back.
Have discs on both of my mountain bikes, really love them, rim brakes are crap when the rims are covered in mud. They need about the same amount of maintenance as rim brakes to keep them working well though, and that maintenance is sometimes a little more complex.
Are you using cable discs? Have discs on both of my mountain bikes, really love them, rim brakes are crap when the rims are covered in mud. They need about the same amount of maintenance as rim brakes to keep them working well though, and that maintenance is sometimes a little more complex.
I find my hydraulics are near enough maintenance free Bryon a fluid change every few years. Changing the pads is less hassle as well, what with them being self adjusting, and not susceptible to any lack in rim trueness.
what more maintenance do they require?
Steve vRS said:
My hydraulics (new to me and one race in) rub a little when spinning the wheel. How do you stop this? Is it a case of adjusting the calliper mount on the frame?
It could be either the caliper needs readjusting, or you have done the thru-axles up too tight, or some crud on the disc or pad. Could be a few other things but I suspect they're most likely.Kermit power said:
Kawasicki said:
Ridden both, prefer rim brakes on my road bike, ‘cause I barely ride in the wet, I have aluminum rims, with excellent pads, that function extremely well, they are really light and super easy to maintain. I brake later and harder than 99.9% of my peers, modulation issues are not holding me back.
Have discs on both of my mountain bikes, really love them, rim brakes are crap when the rims are covered in mud. They need about the same amount of maintenance as rim brakes to keep them working well though, and that maintenance is sometimes a little more complex.
Are you using cable discs? Have discs on both of my mountain bikes, really love them, rim brakes are crap when the rims are covered in mud. They need about the same amount of maintenance as rim brakes to keep them working well though, and that maintenance is sometimes a little more complex.
I find my hydraulics are near enough maintenance free Bryon a fluid change every few years. Changing the pads is less hassle as well, what with them being self adjusting, and not susceptible to any lack in rim trueness.
Couple example of disc brake issues I’ve experienced...
1 - Minute weep of fluid past seal contaminated friction surface leading to gradual loss of power.
2 - overfilled rear brake system leading to constant brake drag. My brother rode the bike like this for over a year! Bonkers.
I love disc brakes, they are just less optimal than rim brakes for my road cycling.
BeirutTaxi said:
Wait do you mean you delayed a TT bike purchase due to no disc option? The irony is that you're never on the brakes during a TT since the courses are typically long straights with almost no junctions.
Long, hilly rides in a wet North Wales or South Downs are a different kettle of proverbial fish altogether.
I'm not looking at 10s and 25s. I'm thinking more about 24 hours and upwards. For the sort of terrain and weather I find myself in I'd be very keen to have discs. I'd also like to have a single wheel standard that I can use across all bikes.Long, hilly rides in a wet North Wales or South Downs are a different kettle of proverbial fish altogether.
Kawasicki said:
Kermit power said:
Kawasicki said:
Ridden both, prefer rim brakes on my road bike, ‘cause I barely ride in the wet, I have aluminum rims, with excellent pads, that function extremely well, they are really light and super easy to maintain. I brake later and harder than 99.9% of my peers, modulation issues are not holding me back.
Have discs on both of my mountain bikes, really love them, rim brakes are crap when the rims are covered in mud. They need about the same amount of maintenance as rim brakes to keep them working well though, and that maintenance is sometimes a little more complex.
Are you using cable discs? Have discs on both of my mountain bikes, really love them, rim brakes are crap when the rims are covered in mud. They need about the same amount of maintenance as rim brakes to keep them working well though, and that maintenance is sometimes a little more complex.
I find my hydraulics are near enough maintenance free Bryon a fluid change every few years. Changing the pads is less hassle as well, what with them being self adjusting, and not susceptible to any lack in rim trueness.
Couple example of disc brake issues I’ve experienced...
1 - Minute weep of fluid past seal contaminated friction surface leading to gradual loss of power.
2 - overfilled rear brake system leading to constant brake drag. My brother rode the bike like this for over a year! Bonkers.
I love disc brakes, they are just less optimal than rim brakes for my road cycling.
I could say
1 - brake caliper wasn't returning because I haven't changed the outer cables causing friction
2 - worn through my rims
and say that because of those I don't want rim brakes....
E65Ross said:
Kawasicki said:
Kermit power said:
Kawasicki said:
Ridden both, prefer rim brakes on my road bike, ‘cause I barely ride in the wet, I have aluminum rims, with excellent pads, that function extremely well, they are really light and super easy to maintain. I brake later and harder than 99.9% of my peers, modulation issues are not holding me back.
Have discs on both of my mountain bikes, really love them, rim brakes are crap when the rims are covered in mud. They need about the same amount of maintenance as rim brakes to keep them working well though, and that maintenance is sometimes a little more complex.
Are you using cable discs? Have discs on both of my mountain bikes, really love them, rim brakes are crap when the rims are covered in mud. They need about the same amount of maintenance as rim brakes to keep them working well though, and that maintenance is sometimes a little more complex.
I find my hydraulics are near enough maintenance free Bryon a fluid change every few years. Changing the pads is less hassle as well, what with them being self adjusting, and not susceptible to any lack in rim trueness.
Couple example of disc brake issues I’ve experienced...
1 - Minute weep of fluid past seal contaminated friction surface leading to gradual loss of power.
2 - overfilled rear brake system leading to constant brake drag. My brother rode the bike like this for over a year! Bonkers.
I love disc brakes, they are just less optimal than rim brakes for my road cycling.
I could say
1 - brake caliper wasn't returning because I haven't changed the outer cables causing friction
2 - worn through my rims
and say that because of those I don't want rim brakes....
The 2nd issue wasn't my own doing, it was delivered with that issue.
I am not anti disc brakes, I own more bikes with disc brakes than rim brakes. I just see that rim brakes have some advantages, cost, simplicity and weight for example. Discs are better for modulation and preserving rims.
Kawasicki said:
Bike with weeping piston seal was less than a year old.
The 2nd issue wasn't my own doing, it was delivered with that issue.
I am not anti disc brakes, I own more bikes with disc brakes than rim brakes. I just see that rim brakes have some advantages, cost, simplicity and weight for example. Discs are better for modulation and preserving rims.
Less than a year old.....clearly a fault with the product rather than something common. Same for the 2nd.The 2nd issue wasn't my own doing, it was delivered with that issue.
I am not anti disc brakes, I own more bikes with disc brakes than rim brakes. I just see that rim brakes have some advantages, cost, simplicity and weight for example. Discs are better for modulation and preserving rims.
RE discs better for modulation and preserving rims.....you forgot the most important thing about one type of braking system rather than another....that they actually can slow you down faster
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