One Man’s View Of Disc Brakes
 

I asked the owner of the LBS here in Hialeah, (Leon) who's been in biz for more than 50 years and his answer was: If you plan on riding in wet weather, disc brakes are superior. If not stick with rim brakes. I did.

Um, good for him? Is there a reason that I'm supposed to care about his reasons and how he weights them more than my own? I mean, there are trade-offs either way - choose the compromise that you're most comfortable with and don't worry about whether or not that works for someone else.

What are "disc beakes"? Are these an anatomical feature of some newly-discovered species of bird?

I appreciated that he wasn’t out to have a “disc bash.” I mean, I have discs and I’m really tired of people saying they’re heavy and hard to maintain and stuff.

No more so than we should care about yours.

Fixed it 😂 I guess it won’t fix. Brakes it will stay.

I'm sure that you intended this as a dis, but you're exactly right, which I why I would never bother with a self-important video. I really don't care if my reasons don't apply or carry the same weight with you, just like I don't care if this guy's reasons don't resonate with me.

All those mid-paragraph cuts reminded me of this

You asked a question and I answered. Judging your post, you agree with my response.

I agree with your response but it brings in to question the reasons for sharing the video in the first place.

The one reason that I found interesting was about weight limit and how he would like to use the added weight to make the bike more aero.

Hard to maintain, and confusing like a FD.

At least FDs can't leak, unless you're that one guy with a Rotor one.

But seriously, FDs are long sorted. Road disc is still undercooked, IMO. Companies need to get it together WRT adhering to standards, and the calipers can use a tad more pad gap I reckon.

:D Yeah, man. Harder to maintain than a good attitude, or something.

Yes, it was an interesting point and potentially relevant for those at a level where 100s of grams and single digit Watts matter.

Yes, clearly he races at a high level an views his needs that way.

Come now. It's the 41 - it's applicable to everyone. Any other conclusion is herd think and swallowing the pills that Big Bike feeds us.

This isn't the racing forum. There's a different part of BF for that, and this isn't it. Most recreational cyclists - the people the 41 was made for - aren't well served by imitating racers. There are so many more reasons to ride a bike, and the focus on everything should only be done to mimic people who race at a high level, it's myopic.

I mean, I don't care what kind of computer Bill Gates uses either.

I just wish to say that I am totally cool with that video and how nice it is to be young, hot ****, and have enough bikes/bike turnover to “switch” back to rim brakes. Do you mother****ers realize I will probably never buy another pair of good shoes?

(Must resist making SRAM joke)

I think it's a good video, and I like this guy. That being said, he:


1. mostly uses alloy wheels.

2. rarely rides in the rain.

3. doesn't do long descents.

4. rarely ventures off the tarmac.

5. doesn't appear to weigh very much.


Rim brakes are a good choice in his situation. If you aren't rail-thin, if you ride in the mountains, and you prefer carbon wheels, however, you might find disc brakes offer an advantage.

The smartest thing the music instrument industry did was agree on the midi system. This allows all equipment, regardless of manufacturer to work together.

Yes. Know your needs.