KraneXL

Within the next 5 years all of us that buy a new bike will. I predict that by that time it will be pretty hard to find a bike without them. Same as with cars. Only the very cheapest cars made today can still be found with drum brakes, and event then, only on the rear.

RedBullFiXX

Major mfg's aside
Who here honestly believes there will be no rim brake options for years to come
Seriously ?

Racing Dan

There is still a nontrivial price difference to consider. When, at some point, that is gone, Im sure manufacturers will move to all disc line ups. Then it becomes a question of getting a new bike or not, just like you cant get a decent mtb with anything but hydraulic disc brakes.

Wileyrat

I've had hydro discs on my mtn bike for 6 yrs now, and I won't go back. On my roadie, I don't think its an issue, but I'd probably lean that way on my next road bike.

Seattle Forrest

Yeah. Things move pretty slowly when it comes to technology being adopted by road cyclists. You can still buy a new bike with bar end shifters.

noodle soup

Why are some people totally opposed to hydraulic disc brakes on road bikes?

Weight? That is really the only issue that can't be denied, but is the weight difference a real problem?

Bandera

I ride LD/FG, having more than 1 rim brake is more than enough, Thanks.

-Bandera

noodle soup

What is "LD/FG"?

Bandera

That would be "Long Distance" >= 100 Miles on a "Fixed Gear" a traditional cycling activity for at least a 100 years for club cyclists.
https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/articles/view/90

Although having at least a Front brake on a road FG machine is common sense I use a rear brake as well to "feather" to avoid useless over-spin w/ a deft application on steep descents.
There is no reason for any tech beyond the >40 YO NR calipers fitted on my LD/FG machine conversion on any of the terrain I ride in any weather.

Same for the old Center-pull calipers on my'74, the Single pivot DA side-pulls on my '90, and the Dual Pivot side-pulls on my '10 or '13 road bikes.

Brakes will only slow you down, nothing to get in a bother about then/now.

-Bandera

noodle soup

lets go ride Mt. Lemmon.

KraneXL

1) People are inherently resistant to change, new things, etc. .

2) They don't know any better?


Either way, you can't stop progress. The change is coming whether they like it or not.

Not really sure of the point of that SF? You can still buy a tape deck or even a record player too.

noodle soup

but so many of those people have no problem with Di2.

wipekitty

It completely depends on what's available and where I'm living when it is time for my next road bike (which will probably be in a couple of years). Wet places and/or mountains would incline me to seek out discs. Otherwise, my rim brakes are just great - though it's not clear that they will still be available.

Laziness about maintenance? Learning to maintain hydraulics seems more fussy than it's worth, unless there is some very good reason to have discs. I'm sure it's not hard, but it's also very easy to maintain rim brakes, and does not require any new skills.

MSchott

It’s the cost not the weight for many of us. I don’t race, it’s flat here and I don’t have an unlimited budget

Cyclist0108

I think I will do it in May, 2014.

noodle soup

If you own a mountain bike, you probably got over the "complication" issue.

I don't know a single off-road cyclist that is afraid of hydraulic brakes.

daoswald

My hybrid has disks, my road bike rim brakes. I'll go with whichever is most available when I upgrade to a newer road bike, which won't be any time soon. Disks are grippier, rims are simpler. Pros and cons exist for each though I would lean toward disks if two bikes were otherwise equal.

Bandera

Up to the telecom towers?
Did it years ago, a stiff nice ride up on some lousy surfaces & exhilarating going down but nothing that required OMG death deifying descending on the way.
It's a big hill that lots of people did/do before the heat kicks in not an Epic Monument, and one that was/is done at pace on "old" rim brakes, but not a FG ride.

-Bandera

KraneXL

Go figure. More complexity, weight, and expense. But to be fair, they're not nearly as popular as the proliferation of disc brakes. I mean, even Walmart bikes have them now.

noodle soup

One needs to race to have the best braking available?


I don't have an unlimited budget either. Hydraulic discs don't cost a fortune. I wouldn't run out and buy a new bike, just to get disc brakes, but I won't buy another road bike without them(unless it's a TT bike).

I'd rather go back to mechanical shifting, than to rim brakes.

noodle soup

See you there in 2 weeks?

Charging a DH, and hitting the brakes hard when absolutely necessary is a gas. I love FG cycling, but there are times when I enjoy the technology available.

jimincalif

My gravel bike has hydraulic discs, love ‘em. I have off road and road wheels for it with Stan’s Neo and DtSwiss hubs respectively. Had to put a 0.25mm shim behind the rotors on the Stan’s hubs, now the rotors line up perfectly and wheel swap is easier than swapping rim brake wheels.

My older road road bike has rim brakes, they still work well too. Having ridden both bikes in the mountains in the rain (yes it does rain in SoCal), the discs win hands down on this front.

Discs also allow for carbon rims without being concerned about braking surfaces and cooking them when braking.

noodle soup

I'm not going to argue it any further. For many people road discs are unnecessary, but they simply work better than the best rim brakes(even in perfect weather).

KraneXL

The idea that everything moves forward solely as a result of necessity is an incorrect premise. In fact, many types of priorities instigate change and many having nothing to do with necessity or improved function.

That's particularly true when it comes to cycling where "style" alone is a high enough priority in the introduction and acceptance of new ideas and change.

spdntrxi

yep already did... : gravel , tri/tt and aero road. not looking back.