Disc brakes on bicycles

[scottmandue]

I bought my bike just before the big disc brake thing hit...

So how good are they? Big difference?

I presume the frame has to have lugs to mount them so I would have to sell off my old bike and buy a new one?

If that were the case is there big a difference in brands? What to look for and what to avoid?

TIA

[herr_oberst]

Scott, I just bought a Specialized Elite, last year's model. I bought it specifically for commuting, and I really wanted disc brakes. Portland, you know, and I commute all year long.

The bike came with some low line shimano cable disc brakes, so I "upgraded" to Avid BB5's. (cable brakes). Big mistake, they were worse than the shimano's. Sooooo, I upgraded to Avid BB7's.(better cable brakes) Now, I see what the fuss is all about. These babies are powerful, no matter the weather.

People tell me that hydraulic brakes (Avid Juicy for example) are even more powerful, but I am totally happy with the BB7's. They are much better than the XT Vbrakes, and they cost a lot less than hydraulics, and frankly, I don't want to mess with bleeding brakes on my bikes.

Fun fact, Specialized no longer sells a commuting bike with disc brakes in the US. They don't sell well enough. (So the dealer told me)

[mikeferg75]

I've got the new Hydro XT', they are unreal. Hydro discs in general are one of the best innovations to happen to Mtn Biking in the last decade.

[willtel]

I have hydraulic Hope Minis and they are worlds better than V brakes. The feel, power, and modulation are all worth the upgrade.

[vash]

sadly. i have V-brakes. i hate how they sometimes scream loudly. everyone knows when you are wussing out on the downhill..whaaaaa.

i have tabs for at least front disc..but i am done with this ride. no more money going into it. wife out of nursing school into a job = new bike for me. i am gonna go HUGE!

[mikeferg75]

Cool! You won't regret it, if you enjoy Mtn Biking a high end bike is really worth the $ as it does make a big difference on trail.

[scottmandue]

I don't think my wallet can handle the hydraulic brakes.

Are the cable disc brakes still better than V brakes?

The Motobecane and GT come with "TEKTRO Novela Mechanical" Disc Brakes, are those any good?

[mikeferg75]

I tell friends, if they have a 800-1200 budget look at 2-4 year old bike's on Clist vs new. You can find really nice hardly used bikes at half price, and a much more usable trail machine. Not a fan of cable disc's, they are OK, better than vbrakes, but still far from hydro's.

My last bike, that I sold recently was a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR I'd recommend it to anyone, let mine go for 900, it was a 06 but had tons of life left, full XT hydro brakes ect.

Pic:

[gtc]

I have already established myself here as a retro-grouch, so I am going to say no, they're not worth it, especially when you factor in the cost to maintain and repair them.
For example:
I just replaced my old Magura Louise discs with some newer Avid Juicy Ultimates. I needed a new hose ($40) and a bleed kit ($50) for the avids. New pads are $20+. If I ever tweak a rotor? $40. And bleeding Avids is a major PITA by the way... i can bleed my porsche brakes faster and with better results than these things.

Compare that with V-brakes which use $6 pads, $5 cables, and are serviceable on the trail with an allen wrench in case you do something stupid like tweak your rim.

And the noise argument is bunk also.... my vees only squeal after a water crossing, and how often does that really happen? There are plenty of noisy discs out there.

That said, my favorite brakes are still my old Magura Hydraulic rim brakes. Easy to bleed (though they barely ever need it), no squeal, awesome power and modulation. But kind of heavy. Kind of like my '84 Targa, I suppose.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

"TEKTRO Novela Mechanical" Disc Brakes, are those any good?

To answer my own question... a quick look at the mountain bike forms and no... no they are not good at all.

[jtkkz]

hydraulic disc brakes are definitely very nice, i like the shimano ones, i heard good things about magura & formula

I have heard some issues with some of the avid hydraulics.....

if you plan to go mechanical disc brakes the avid bb7 are pretty good

[Dantilla]

My Juicy hydraulic discs have been flawless.
I test-rode a couple Cannondales side-by-side before buying, and was amazed at the difference.

Couldn't be happier.

[cstreit]

I don't get it. I can lock up my old-school brakes on my MTB and have been able to do so with little effort on any bike I've ever owned. What's so great about them?

[rsNINESOOPER]

If riding around the suburbs with the kids then V brakes or whatever the bike comes with are fine. If you are riding cross country or full downhill rigs then discs are king.
The minimal amount of finger pressure needed to operate discs and the better performance under harsh use coupled with much better "feel" up to the lock up point it is a no brainer.

I have Juicy brakes on my two bikes and they operate without issue until the pads are consumed at which point they are bled and the pads are replaced then repeat the abuse. I have had other set ups on the bikes but the Juicy brake stuff has been trouble free.

Although if you really want to be ruler you could turn your nasty downhill rig into a fixie

joking of course-


My guess is that the two guys in the vid below have big balls and disc brakes, mostly just big balls. Unbelievable.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by rsNINESOOPER

My guess is that the two guys in the vid below have big balls and disc brakes, mostly just big balls. Unbelievable.

>

Unbelieveable is right. I don't know how those guys have any balls left after a ride like that.

[Laneco]

I've got a 'cross bike with Avid cable-disc brakes. Dead reliable and nicely adjustable. The full-suspension cross country bike has hydraulic disc brakes. I also had a Cannondale tandem with disc brakes.

I still have two bikes left with rim-brakes. One road bike with Dura-Ace and one hardtail with XTR V-brakes. Every time I ride them, I am reminded of what a pathetic setup they are compared to discs. I would describe them as adequate with the same enthusiasm that I describe a Hyundai Excel as being an adequate vehicle for daily transportation and of the two of them, the V-brakes are much more powerful than what is on the road bike.

Once you try something better on a long downhill (even on a road bike), especially if you are loaded with a pack or towing a bike trailer - you'll forget about rim brakes forever. Think of good disc brakes on a bike as being a "big brake" upgrade for a performance car.

angela

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by vash

sadly. i have V-brakes. i hate how they sometimes scream loudly. everyone knows when you are wussing out on the downhill..whaaaaa.

You need to adjust the brakes better. Lead edge of pad needs to be toed in more.

If you don't crash occasionally, you are not going fast enough.

[Flieger]

Simple solution: don't use the brakes. I don't see what all the fuss is about for a road bike. V brakes are fine except in the rain. I've never been lacking for brakes on a downhill. Brake feel maybe but not brake power. I don't use the brakes much on the downhills, though. Similar to when I drive the 911. It's just got the stock '71S setup with some Porterfield R4S pads.

Sticky tires = more cornering speed = less braking needed.

Oh, yeah. Those mountainbikers are insane! Their bikes must be too.

[willtel]

On a mountain bike another huge advantage for disks is that it keeps the braking surface away from the terrain. Mud and water have nearly no effect on disks and can render V brakes almost useless.

A warped rim also doesn't make the brakes pulse.

[Flieger]

Yes, I understand on a mountainbike (a serious one anyway) that disks are the way to go. But on a road bike I just don't see a problem with the V brakes' braking power.

The disc brake pad swaps must be a whole lot easier, though. I can change car brake pads faster than my bike, including jacking the car, taking the wheel off and everything. On the V brakes I have there are just too many variables. There is pad toe camber and caster (effectively) plus pad x,y,z position. Drives me crazy getting them dialed in. And the rubber wears fast so thick pads require re-adjustment and thin pads wear out quickly.