What do you think of Shimano ditching rim brakes in 105 and higher?

[Stressed]

I've never used discs. Never felt the urge to either. I'm sure they're very efficient but I love the sound of gravelly paste grinding through my rims when it's claggy!

 

[Russell]

People keep mentioning complexity but it is so much easier to change the pads on a disc brake than a rim brake. Disc brakes are self adjusting for pad wear. Hydraulic fluid lasts years so there is no cable stretch.

This is an argument that we’ll go over again and again on this site but the old tropes just don’t stand scrutiny.

For a serious bike for the riding I do, I would never go back to rim brakes.

 

[brocklanders023]

Genuinely couldn’t care less.

It only impacts purchasers of new bikes.

Given that we are still able to buy brakes and brake parts from the ‘90s, I dont see an issue for at least 35 years, I’ll be long gone by then and hydraulic disc brakes will be retro anyway.

That's how I see it. Can't imagine many people buy top end road bikes without discs these days and since it's not difficult to keep our 80's bikes on the road it really shouldn't cause a problem.

 

[brocklanders023]

Oh, and agree with Russell's other point, all my hydraulic disc brakes have needed less maintenance than cable brakes.

 

[7Speed]

Rim brakes have their place - they are a tad lighter and I will be honest - simpler and easier to work with even if they require more maintenance. The issue is higher end bikes now typically come with carbon rims and braking on carbon rims in the wet is typically somewhere between poor/unpredicatble due to lack of heat build up to $&&)”@ scary as hell. That’s why discs are becoming more popular I think. Would really like to see Shimano keep a top end rim brake though…

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Discs for me one each..tongue firmly in cheek.

 

[pigman]

People keep mentioning complexity but it is so much easier to change the pads on a disc brake than a rim brake. Disc brakes are self adjusting for pad wear. Hydraulic fluid lasts years so there is no cable stretch.

This is an argument that we’ll go over again and again on this site but the old tropes just don’t stand scrutiny.

For a serious bike for the riding I do, I would never go back to rim brakes.

Everyone I ride with who has disks has intermittent rubbing of pad and disk. Especially when uphill and out of the saddle. As someone who finds climbing the hardest aspect of cycling, this sound would wind me up on my bike. So they may self adjust, as you say, but do they self centre? Or is the adjusted tolerance that close that any slight flex of the wheel produces drag?

 

[pigman]

I disagree, they are not obsolete, they don't suddenly work any worse than they did 5 years ago.

However, as you say, Shimano is trying to drive lots of extra pointless complexity.

I wouldn't define obsolescence by whether they no longer work, but by supply in the market

 

[Sir Neil d'Menture]

I have discs on my winter bikes and rims on my summer bikes.
Discs are marginally better in the dry and it is certainly easier to replace worn out discs than worn out rims.
Discs stop far better in the wet, no doubt about it, but I've never yet managed to stop them squealing.
Both have their place. Both will be around a long time yet.
The same thing was said when caged bearings were introduced. And aheadsets. And straight forks. And saddles that could stand being out in the rain.
Chacun a son gout.

 

[BerthaPog]

Picked up 105 R7000 rim brakes about a month ago from Merlin, admittedly as part of 11spd group set, not 12spd.

They’ll be for sale shortly, just the calipers.