Downgrading my ride, disc to v

[Woz]

Some TRP Spykes are in a box starring at me to pull my finger out and use them on a build, so can't comment on their use.

Avid BB7 were a massive disappointment for me (despite all the raving of how good they are, despite changing pads, despite changing levers, despite changing rotors, despite constant adjustment of this that and the other) so I sacked them off. Drove me nuts.

 

[stevet1]

Avid BB7 were a massive disappointment for me
In what way? I've got BB7 avids on one bike, and Spykes on another - both on bikes that don't see a lot of use but they always seem to work fine?
To be honest they are as good as my hydros.

 

[Woz]

Put simply, I could never get sufficient braking power. Not enough to lock the back wheel for example.

 

[Imlach]

Conclusion:
I will probably eventually play around with putting those BMX mountable v brake bosses on the frame at some point. Once I feel comfortable paying the stupid import fees. Hopefully they don't use Parcelmonkey.

For now I'll stick with discs, and I'm not arguing with people who are trying to tell me that rim brakes aren't quite as powerful as discs - I think that's been proven by the direction in the market in the last decade (and longer). But I still prefer rim brakes in every way, I like the look of them and I enjoy the adjustability of them and they just work for me. Discs look ugly. I'm only really riding gravel and a spot of singletrack here and there.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

My last bike purchased was my first foray into disks. I've gone with mechanical, the benefit for me is that they stay dry when the rims are wet, and don't get clogged with mud, unless things get really messy. I won't be buying another set, I wasn't impressed with the braking power. I'm hoping a lever and pad change will provide more grip

 

[Imlach]

My last bike purchase was my first foray into disks. I've gone with mechanical, the benefit for me is that they stay dry when the rims are wet, and don't get clogged with mud, unless things get really messy

I have had discs once before if I recall correctly, I liked it and it did work, but I didn't find it "infinitely superior" to v's. That said it's probably more consistent and as you said, in wet weather riding they're superior in almost every way. I will be using mechanical on this one as well, hydraulic is not for me. But I'm excited to try those porkchop thingymajigs at some point. Until then I've been toying with the idea of these little clamp thingies for moped wing mirrors, they take an 8mm bolt, so maybe I could cook something up and turn it into a ghetto v setup. Anything to challenge the few braincells that I still house.

 

[grantoury]

I am interested to see what you come up with. I did see that the porkchop stuff is only for the seatstays and restricted to a certain tube diameter.

 

[Woz]

This is a bit the issue. We all get the "mud and wet crap on the rims blah blah rims wear out blah blah" but the reality is some of us can't be arsed and head to the drink cabinet and stereo when it's lashing down. Some of us like uber light bikes for summer and can set-up rim brakes properly.

Even my time in Sweden, still going out in -5C on a single speed v-brakes were still plenty good enough since you couldn't go thrashing about like a demon anyway on snow and ice, and if anything the last thing you wanted was to lock either the front or back wheel (studded or not); a well controlled stop was more important to avoid hip replacements. I'm probably a bit old school where you had the notion and muscle memory to dry the rims off from time to time anyway.

If someone can come forward with a mechanical disk brake set-up that works, I'm all ears, but so far, not widely impressed.

 

[Imlach]

This is a bit the issue. We all get the "mud and wet crap on the rims blah blah rims wear out blah blah" but the reality is some of us can't be arsed and head to the drink cabinet and stereo when it's lashing down. Some of us like uber light bikes for summer and can set-up rim brakes properly.

Even my time in Sweden, still going out in -5C on a single speed v-brakes were still plenty good enough since you couldn't go thrashing about like a demon anyway on snow and ice, and if anything the last thing you wanted was to lock either the front or back wheel (studded or not); a well controlled stop was more important to avoid hip replacements. I'm probably a bit old school where you had the notion and muscle memory to dry the rims off from time to time anyway.

If someone can come forward with a mechanical disk brake set-up that works, I'm all ears, but so far, not widely impressed.

When it rains, it pours - into my glass! And I do indeed put on a good tune to accompany my favourite pastime - the drink.

I ride pretty much exclusively v brakes and I've got a selection from rotten looking diacompe ones, I've got nice shimano ones, AVID's and some very fancy motolites and all of them have been used extensively in various weather, lots of winter trips through the woods and commuting for hours. I've never had a moment where I felt I couldn't brake, and I weigh 300 pounds. The inferiorities of rim brakes have been regurgitated to a point where I'm not sure if it's because disc loyalists are insecure.

Who wants a pizza slicer on their wheels anyway? Not me!

 

[grantoury]

When it rains, it pours - into my glass! And I do indeed put on a good tune to accompany my favourite pastime - the drink.

I ride pretty much exclusively v brakes and I've got a selection from rotten looking diacompe ones, I've got nice shimano ones, AVID's and some very fancy motolites and all of them have been used extensively in various weather, lots of winter trips through the woods and commuting for hours. I've never had a moment where I felt I couldn't brake, and I weigh 300 pounds. The inferiorities of rim brakes have been regurgitated to a point where I'm not sure if it's because disc loyalists are insecure.

Who wants a pizza slicer on their wheels anyway? Not me!

I have had one moment, cycling back from work in pouring rain, where I was unpleasantly surprised by my brakes failing in traffic. Knowing that, I am now prepared. Disc brakes are just too much tech on a bicycle. The beauty of a bike is simplicity, I think.