Originally Posted by
baj2
If we can't compare, why is it even being discussed? The point was made with regard to braking power. For the record, my 2003 with the mechanical BB7s has smaller rotors than either of the my hydraulic systems. It's 15yo tech and still has comparable braking power to current hydraulic brakes.
You do have a valid point on actuation force though. Hydraulic wins that one easy IMO, I don't know if you could create enough mechanical advantage with the lever/actuator to equalize that on a mechanical system.
this is the internet, so we need to discuss even the obvious
One could create the same mechanical advantage with a cable, a hydraulic or even a lever system. All convert distance to force and vice versa. the problem with cable is, some force is wasted on stretching the cable. Hydraulic fluid is nearly incompressible and therefore transmits the force nearly loss-less.