Lets talk brakes..

[Mindmap3]

I don't believe it's all about fashion. In fact it's one of the best advances there has been in bike tech for me.

The current crop of Shimano brakes offer great value for money, loads of power and mine have all been pretty reliable. They're easy to bleed, pads last ages, don't honk in the wet.

Super tacky tyres are already here and again, make a difference in both braking and corner grip. Downside is increased resistance and wear.

V brakes were a huge step up when they were first released, but they did loose performance in the wet and they wore out rims which less face it are a pain to replace at home.

My Beast of the East single speed that I may actually finish this wee will have XTR V's on it due to lack of disc mounts etc. if I had the choice, I'd probably run discs.

 

[davidj]

Re:

Following advice I fitted a BB7 to the front of one of my Coyotes, to be honest I am a bit meh, even with the Avid levers. I didn't bother upgrading the front brake on my other Coyote (neither have rear disc tabs). I sold the second caliper on ebay.

I did fit Clarks M2 hydraulics to my Marin, and to be honest I am blown away by them. Especially when you consider the calipers, hoses and levers were cheaper than the Avid calipers on their own.

Thanks to all who contributed to the thread, I am now a pro hydraulic disc convert.

 

[Canopy]

There 3 main advantages to disc brakes. Two I don't think I've not seen mentioned above.

1) Disc brakes are barely affected by wet or filthy dirty muddy rims (unless you're riding deep!)
2) If you have to, Its much easier to remove the wheels for transport. (or on the trail repairs)
3) as mentioned by the OP. takes a buckle that fouls the frame to halt you, not one that mis-aligns the brakes.

Before having disc brakes I rode through some mud, pulled the brake, got a crunchy noises for a while after - guy i was riding with had discs - didn't have any issues. This is the one reason I put together a disc capable bike and have now sold my original (much loved) which had side pull v brakes.

For a fair weather/road bike going for weight and "it works OK doesn't it?" is pragmatic. but IMO, they're the winner off road.

I've not even converted to hydraulic discs yet. That's for my next bike/build. I'm told there's much better feedback through the fingers about how well braking is working, which leads to better control.

 

[tufty]

In terms of stopping power and ease of use when set up, hydraulic discs jump all over rim brakes. End of. For the rest, V's have the advantage. Bleeding hydraulic discs is a pain in the rear (particularly with Avid's Elixirs, which seem to love retaining bubbles in the system). Weight is a big win for V's.

Br[e]akdown of as "like-for-like" as I could get, weights from weightweenies

V-brake :
Rims - DT Swiss XR 4.1 32H - 415g per hoop
Hubs - DT Swiss Hugi 240 - 95g / 240g
V-brakes - Single Digit 7 - 370g pair
Levers - Speed Dial 7 - 180g pair
Total - 1715g

Disc
Rims - DT Swiss XR 4.1d 32H - 425g per hoop
Hubs - DT Swiss Hugi 240 disc - 165g / 270g
Discs - Deore XT SM-RT76 - 125g each
Brakes - Deore XT BR-M755 - 940g pair with hoses, levers & fluid
Total - 2475g

But I still prefer decent discs.

 

[Canopy]

Ohh this ones back.

I've got Hope Mono Mini's on my new bike now, so I've gone hydraulic.

Three more plus points for discs:

1) changing pads is much easier, and quick.
2) there's that nice smell after a long descent.
3) Bleeding is a bit of a PITA, but isn't required that regularly and certainly not every time you change pads.

 

[JamesM]

Re:

Interesting article on disc brakes:

http://www.rodbikes.com/articles/disco- ... fever.html

V brakes, cantilevers and discs:

http://www.rodbikes.com/articles/brakes.html

V brakes are more modern than discs by around 20 years it seems

 

[davidj]

Re:

Glad this thread is back, saves me starting a new one! I am now a total Hydraulic Disc brake convert, not so much cable disc, which leads me to a new dilema....

I would like to convert my Coyote from Cable disc up front and V brake rear to Hydraulic Disc up front and Hydraulic rim brake rear but run the same levers. It appears that Magura hydraulic rim brakes don't use a reservoir lever but all disc brakes do. Does this mean they are incompatible?

It is an expensive exercise if it doesn't work so any knowledge would be appreciated including alternative brands (if there are any to Magura).

 

[twain]

i'm in neither camp really.
I've used V's and been happy, i've used hydraulic rim and been happy, and now I'm only using disc on my more modern bikes.
I have canti's on my most retro ride, but that'll be my first bike with this type of brake system and having not rode it yet, i cant comment, but, as long as it stops me when i need it to, then i dont really care.
for every type of brake system, there's one set that will suit you. with discs, there is the added faff of bleeding - which admittedly can be most off putting. but either a shop can handle it (if its essential and you really don't have the tekkers/inclination) or you can figure it out yourself. i take the latter approach as thats what i've always been like. and once setup, all you have to worry about is replacing pads every so often - unless you crash and damage them, they should be fit/forget.

i must say though, i prefer just having to replace rotors/pads than rims and i do like the look of discs over Vs if i put my tart hat on.
and the 'retrobiker' in me refuses to buy brand new disc brakes. even the ones i have i find classed as 'retro' (XT 4 pots)..... :roll:
it seems no matter what advances in technology there are, i'll always keep myself a good decade behind (as far as bikes are concerned at least!) im pretty comfortable with that

 

[Mindmap3]

I'm firmly in the disc camp and the very grotty trails we have at the moment have only reinforced this (no wrong rims, braking surface further from the crud etc).

Most brakes are pretty easy to bleed so it's a non-issue for me. The other plus point is that I like to run my levers very close to the bars to reduce arm pump / fatigue and I find I can get them closer to the bars than I can with my M952 V's.

 

[02gf74]

Re:

Re tufty

Im surprised disc rims are heavier since the do no have sidewall.

Also do weights include brake cables and bolts and for disc the rotor bolts?

Disc brakes lower the c of g.... not that anyone would notice the benefit.