dvdslw

Hello, I have been tirelessly looking at as many forums, reviews, and bike manufacturing websites to gather enough information to purchase my first road bike. My initial conclusion is an entry level carbon bike in the $1,500-$2,000 price range. I'm going with carbon because I just like the feel compared to aluminum and have always wanted one. That being said, all of my research has led me to an assumption that the road bike market is leaning towards disc brakes. I could be wrong but Specialized has the Roubaix Disc, Cannondale has the Synapse Carbon Disc, and Shimano also has the new Road Ice-Tech lineup that looks nice too. Me being a mountain bike rider and having Disc Brakes on my bike know first hand the benefits of disc compared to rim brakes in the mtb world but have no experience with the road setups. Having disc will without a doubt improve stopping in all conditions especially wet, and if I ever decide to buy carbon rims it would eliminate the heat/carbon problems that seem to happen under extreme conditions with a rim mounted brake. I do wonder about the aero disadvantage? Is it enough of a disadvantage to not consider a road bike with disc? To be honest this purchase is way out of my budget and its hard to justify but the health benefits and lifestyle are worth the sacrifices that will be made to make it happen so this will be the bike I ride for years to come and I would like to future proof my decision if its worth considering? Thanks!

Bob Dopolina 

Rotors are generally tucked behind forks or between stays. The rear rotor couldn't possibly generate much drag. That leaves the front rotor.

I'm sure there is a slight aero penalty but since you are already very familiar with using discs you could, for example, probably brake much later going into a corner and carry more speed out offsetting the aero penalty. You most likely will also descend with more confidence which translates into speed.

There will be a minors weight penalty for climbs but nothing dramatic. I'm sure even that will be gone soon with disc brake bikes coming in at weight on par with their rim brake cousins.

In the end any penalty should be minor, in terms of watts, but it will be there. I say go for it and don't worry about it.

garciawork

If I were buying a bike right now it would be disc.

JohnJ80

I'm on the fence about disc on a road bike. My current thinking is that waiting for two to three years for it to sort out is the ticket. What gets me is that I have a substantial investment in rim brake wheels that are 10 and 11 speed compatible that would be useless.

J

MikeWMass

I guess I can see how discs would be an advantage in terms of less lever force being necessary for equal stopping power, and not getting gunked up if you ride through dirt or especially mud. I really don't understand how they will allow you to brake later, if your rim brakes are already capable of locking up the wheel. It would seem to me that the available traction would determine how late you could brake.