Mandatory disk brakes
#1
BF's Resident Dumbass
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Posts: 1,566
Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer (size 21"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 15"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 17.5"); 2019 Dahon Mu D9; 2020 Dahon Hemingway D9
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 792 Post(s)
Liked 1,493 Times
in
496 Posts
Mandatory disk brakes
So, my understanding is that as of 2016-17, you no longer can buy a premium/top of the line fitness, road- or speed-oriented hybrid without disk brakes. To get rim brakes in any form, your only options are to either buy a decent mid-ranger with rim brakes (most likely V-brakes) and start upgrading stuff, or convert a high-end road bike to a flat-bar. Does this sum up the situation?
Last edited by sjanzeir; 08-03-18 at 07:16 AM.
#2
Full Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 289
Bikes: 2013 Trek 4.7 Flatbar Madone, 2018 Giant Roam 2
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
So, my understanding is that as of 2016-17, you no longer can buy a premium/top of the line fitness, road- or speed-oriented hybrid without disk brakes. To get rim brakes in any form, your only options are to either buy a decent mid-ranger with rim brakes (most likely V-brakes) and start upgrading stuff, or convert a high-end road bike to a flat-bar. Does this sum up the situation?
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,291
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,909 Times
in
1,884 Posts
Unless I am just searching wrongfully, it appears that carbon framed road bikes are harder to find with disc.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
#4
Senior Member
So, my understanding is that as of 2016-17, you no longer can buy a premium/top of the line fitness, road- or speed-oriented hybrid without disk brakes. To get rim brakes in any form, your only options are to either buy a decent mid-ranger with rim brakes (most likely V-brakes) and start upgrading stuff, or convert a high-end road bike to a flat-bar. Does this sum up the situation?
Not sure what your criterium is for other premium components. the subset of people wanting rim brakes and modern (i.e. 1x) drivetrains or CF frames is very small. Retro-grouches typically want all components to be old-school.
You post in hybrid subforum... in the road section you may still find some "premium" or at least mid-range bikes with rim brakes.
I'm not dissing people who still want old-school, to each their own. But manufacturers produce what the market wants and most people who want modern drivetrain also want modern brakes etc.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 148
Bikes: 2000 Trek 720 Multitrack (plus)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Premium bike without disc brakes = Oxymoron. Even some Walmart bikes already have (cable) disc brakes.
Not sure what your criterium is for other premium components. the subset of people wanting rim brakes and modern (i.e. 1x) drivetrains or CF frames is very small. Retro-grouches typically want all components to be old-school.
You post in hybrid subforum... in the road section you may still find some "premium" or at least mid-range bikes with rim brakes.
I'm not dissing people who still want old-school, to each their own. But manufacturers produce what the market wants and most people who want modern drivetrain also want modern brakes etc.
Not sure what your criterium is for other premium components. the subset of people wanting rim brakes and modern (i.e. 1x) drivetrains or CF frames is very small. Retro-grouches typically want all components to be old-school.
You post in hybrid subforum... in the road section you may still find some "premium" or at least mid-range bikes with rim brakes.
I'm not dissing people who still want old-school, to each their own. But manufacturers produce what the market wants and most people who want modern drivetrain also want modern brakes etc.
You can also say a premium hydrid is an oxymoron; no DuraAce/XTR equipped hybrids that I know of.
I think using disk brakes is more about trend than being modern. It's about checking off a bullet list item. Walmart had sold aluminum frames that are heavier than steel frames, suspension forks that are labeled not for off road and mechanical disk brakes that are worse than rim brakes. Apparently they now sell cheap carbon frames. All manufactures put a better rear derailleur with cheaper components elsewhere so a buyer sees Acera and thinks it's better than Tourney when in fact the rest of the components are Tourney.
They are good reasons for preferring rim brakes that isn't just being retro. Rim brakes are simpler to maintain, lighter, allow a more compliant fork. A good rim brake with machined rims and good pads will function as well as or better than a sketchy mechanical disk brake that was added just to help market a bike.
#6
Senior Member
It does seem that the manufacturers are focusing more and more on adding the disk brakes ! Maybe it’s just easier / cost efficient for them to go all in on the disks as opposed to producing both disk and rim brakes ?
Im not pro or against, to each his / her own. My thought is that the disks are not needed in my area ( Flat Florida) so I chose a bike without, but it does appear the disks are the wave of the future !
Im not pro or against, to each his / her own. My thought is that the disks are not needed in my area ( Flat Florida) so I chose a bike without, but it does appear the disks are the wave of the future !
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18319 Post(s)
Liked 4,487 Times
in
3,337 Posts
I think "Mandatory" would be a little harsh to put it as there is nothing that is truly mandatory.
However, Cycling could likely be divided into different subfields.
Anyway, no single statement will capture all cyclists riding all different types of bikes.
However, Cycling could likely be divided into different subfields.
- Track (real on track)... are brakes even required?
- Fixies... Usually get one front brake. Rim.
- TT & Triathlon... I think these are still mostly staying with rim brakes for now, but who knows, it could change, especially if carbon rims start coming with discs.
- Road. Currently I think it is fairly mixed. Some of the new groupsets are pushing disc, such as the new Campy 12.
Give people something "new" to buy, otherwise they'll continue riding their old bikes, and not purchase new stuff. - Cyclocross. Bikes as little as 10 years old were getting mostly Cantis, but now they are heavily influenced by discs. Still, may choose Cantis over V-Brakes.
- Hybrids. Big mix here. I think there is a growing emphasis on high-end hybrids that never existed before, and most of the high-end hybrids will come with Discs. Nonetheless, there are quite a few mid-range hybrids with V-Brakes.
- MTBs. Almost exclusively disc brakes except in the very low end bikes.
- Touring. A mix. Many tourists like the simply of rim brakes, although I could see additional emphasis on hard braking discs.
- Tandems. A mix. Drum brakes? Discs? Dual Brakes?
Anyway, no single statement will capture all cyclists riding all different types of bikes.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 4,812
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,015 Times
in
570 Posts
I see plenty of new bikes of all types that don't feature disc brakes. Especially among better lines. (I really don't know what Wal Mart is selling these days).
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18319 Post(s)
Liked 4,487 Times
in
3,337 Posts
#10
Senior Member
I have rim brakes on my road bike, they're fine, don't really care either way on a road bike.
I have rim brakes on my hybrid, and they are Tektro V-brakes, even on an $800 bike.
I've spent a lot of time dialing in both on both bikes, and just finished 4 hours of adjusting maddening squeal out of the V-brakes tonight. I nearly threw the bike across the yard out of frustration.
I will certainlynever buy a V-brake bike again, and by the time I buy a road bike or a hybrid again it will probably be hydraulic discs and thru-axles across the board on both, which I'll be fine with, but I'm sure discs have all their own adjustment problems too.
I have rim brakes on my hybrid, and they are Tektro V-brakes, even on an $800 bike.
I've spent a lot of time dialing in both on both bikes, and just finished 4 hours of adjusting maddening squeal out of the V-brakes tonight. I nearly threw the bike across the yard out of frustration.
I will certainlynever buy a V-brake bike again, and by the time I buy a road bike or a hybrid again it will probably be hydraulic discs and thru-axles across the board on both, which I'll be fine with, but I'm sure discs have all their own adjustment problems too.
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Florida, West Palm Beach
Posts: 8
Bikes: Azimut
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Unless I am just searching wrongfully, it appears that carbon framed road bikes are harder to find with disc.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Northern Shenandoah Valley
Posts: 4,123
Bikes: More bikes than riders
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 749 Times
in
559 Posts
They do. In particular, and especially with quick release axles, it can be difficult to get the exact same caliper alignment after a wheel change. I commonly tweak the caliper adjustment a little after a wheel re-install to get rid of some light pad scraping. Thru-axles are supposed to mostly eliminate that. It's a trade-off I'm happy to make, though. The biggest issue I have with rim brakes is squealing with moisture. I keep my bikes in my conditioned basement, and I wheel them out the back door (a walk-out basement) when I go for a ride. With the humidity during the summer time, my bikes will immediately "sweat" a little bit (cold frame out in hot humid air), and this causes issues with rim brakes. They'll squeal pretty loud for a little while, as moisture tends to do with rim brakes. This is not easy to "dial out", and is not an issue if I store it in the garage and ride it the next day.
First world problems, right?
First world problems, right?
#13
Senior Member
Until you take the bike out on a ride and the brakes start squealing again after 5 minutes.
#14
Senior Member
Took it out to a parking lot and rode it for probably 30 minutes with no squeal, but yes...I am not sold that they won't squeal next time I take it out of the garage, at least initially. It hasn't earned my confidence yet.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Northern Shenandoah Valley
Posts: 4,123
Bikes: More bikes than riders
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 749 Times
in
559 Posts
For me, it's the humidity that frustrates me with rim brakes. I keep my bikes in a conditioned basement, and everything on the bike "sweats" when I bring them out into the sticky summer air. My rim brakes will tend to squeal pretty loudly for the first 5-10 minutes until they acclimate to the outside air. My disc brakes don't do that. The disc brakes just seem more consistent overall, which is why I've come to prefer them.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,598
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2964 Post(s)
Liked 1,163 Times
in
760 Posts
So, my understanding is that as of 2016-17, you no longer can buy a premium/top of the line fitness, road- or speed-oriented hybrid without disk brakes. To get rim brakes in any form, your only options are to either buy a decent mid-ranger with rim brakes (most likely V-brakes) and start upgrading stuff, or convert a high-end road bike to a flat-bar. Does this sum up the situation?
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 148
Bikes: 2000 Trek 720 Multitrack (plus)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Not all disk brakes are equal, some mechanical brakes are not superior. It depends on your application. If you commute in the rain or do a lot of downhill then disks might be the right choice. But disks add complexity. Disks add weight. Disks add costs. Front forks need to be stiffer, less compliant, to deal with the stress of braking. Disks also increase stresses on hubs and spokes. Disk change the dishing of wheels.
#18
Senior Member
They do. In particular, and especially with quick release axles, it can be difficult to get the exact same caliper alignment after a wheel change. I commonly tweak the caliper adjustment a little after a wheel re-install to get rid of some light pad scraping. Thru-axles are supposed to mostly eliminate that. It's a trade-off I'm happy to make, though.
As for other maintenance, once the air is out, there really is none for years to come. The factory or shop who installed them should provide the brake with no air. When brake pads are worn you replace them and push the pistons back and it will automatically fit. The brake also automatically adjusts for pad wear. I assume after some years I may want to replace the mineral oil. (DOT fluid has to be replaced every year or 2). Also reach adjustment does not require any other brake adjustment. The only "tool" you need is a $25 bleedkit.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,598
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2964 Post(s)
Liked 1,163 Times
in
760 Posts
Not all disk brakes are equal, some mechanical brakes are not superior. It depends on your application. If you commute in the rain or do a lot of downhill then disks might be the right choice. But disks add complexity. Disks add weight. Disks add costs. Front forks need to be stiffer, less compliant, to deal with the stress of braking. Disks also increase stresses on hubs and spokes. Disk change the dishing of wheels.
There is nothing complex about them and the weight is negligible.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Northern Shenandoah Valley
Posts: 4,123
Bikes: More bikes than riders
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 749 Times
in
559 Posts
As for other maintenance, once the air is out, there really is none for years to come. The factory or shop who installed them should provide the brake with no air. When brake pads are worn you replace them and push the pistons back and it will automatically fit. The brake also automatically adjusts for pad wear. I assume after some years I may want to replace the mineral oil. (DOT fluid has to be replaced every year or 2). Also reach adjustment does not require any other brake adjustment. The only "tool" you need is a $25 bleedkit.
I just bought a bike with cable discs. I haven't broken them in yet, but the braking power is good. Lever pull is much firmer (not in a good way), with more effort required than with hydraulic brakes (both to overcome the return springs and to provide enough force on the pads). I plan to upgrade this bike to hydraulic eventually, but will play with the cable discs for a while first. Tuning them is pretty dadgum easy. Just turn the large dial on the inside pad's "piston" to set that one as close to the rotor as possible, and then use the barrel adjusters to set the outside pad. That's too easy.
#21
BF's Resident Dumbass
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Posts: 1,566
Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer (size 21"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 15"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 17.5"); 2019 Dahon Mu D9; 2020 Dahon Hemingway D9
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 792 Post(s)
Liked 1,493 Times
in
496 Posts
With rim brakes, on the other hand, there thousands upon thousands of different brake blocks that will fit most rim brake arms/calipers. You can drop into any shop (even the small, non-brand ones run by total hacks) and get a replacement for worn or damaged brake blocks - even low-quality ones that will at least get you home. I, for one, have zero interest in making things harder for myself just for the sake of having the latest and greatest. I've gotten by just fine with rim brakes for 30+ years and I have little reason to shift paradigms just to conform.
Last edited by sjanzeir; 08-08-18 at 08:46 PM.
#22
Non omnino gravis
Slightly off-topic, a buddy of mine has a few-years-old KHS Ultrasport 3.0, which is about as hybrid as a hybrid can get. It of course came with a hodge-podge of Altus and Acera, as one would expect. My buddy worked at a sporting goods distributor at the time, and picked up basically an entire group on clearance from Shimano-- all 10 speed SAINT. Converted it to 1x10, swapped out the boat-anchor Suntour fork for a mid-level RockShox, stem/bar/seatpost are all Shimano PRO Tharsis carbon. Bike gets a whole lot of double and triple takes. It's pretty absurd.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,598
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2964 Post(s)
Liked 1,163 Times
in
760 Posts
My main concern, especially given where I live, is one of convenience and practicality. Take a look at any online shop and you'll immediately see the lack of standardization as to the designs of brake pads for disk brakes, and not many of them are interchangeable. In a place like Jeddah, where there's only one "real" dealer (with just two outlets) and a couple of other "pseudo-dealers" who hardly know what it is they're doing (along with a bevy of shops downtown that sell crappy BSOs,) whether or not they can just hand you a set of replacement brake pads for your particular setup right off the shelf is a crap shoot. "Sorry, we don't have that" is something I hear a lot, and I hear "sorry, we can't order that" just as often. It's usually easier to just order online than to throw yourself at the mercy of a very foot-dragging dealer, but that's still a few days in which the bike is off the ground.
With rim brakes, on the other hand, there thousands upon thousands of different brake blocks that will fit most rim brake arms/calipers. You can drop into any shop (even the small, non-brand ones run by total hacks) and get a replacement for worn or damaged brake blocks - even low-quality ones that will at least get you home. I, for one, have zero interest in making things harder for myself just for the sake of having the latest and greatest. I've gotten by just fine with rim brakes for 30+ years and I have little reason to shift paradigms just to conform.
#24
Sumerian Street Rider
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Suburban Chicago
Posts: 660
Bikes: Dahon Mu P8, Fuji Absolute 1.0
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm about to get a Trek 920 with all modern everything really. So of course it has hydraulic disk brakes. I am entering the brave new world of disk brakes....
I am an engineer, a technology junkie, a dork, so I am happy to have disk brakes on the new bike. At the same time I cannot fault the V brakes on my Fuji. They are powerful, they modulate well, they work fine in wet weather, and if I am careful to adjust the toe in on the pads they are squeal free. The claim is that disks are better, safer because they work great in wet and muddy conditions and they modulate so very well. In a few months time I should have enough experience with that to form a personal opinion on the matter. I think the brakes on the 920 are easily good enough to show me the benefits of disks if there are any. Now I did just replace a wheel on my folding bike because the rim brakes had worn the rims to the point where the tire bead had started to separate from the rest of the rim. Disk brakes won't do that to you!
I'm not expecting a huge difference because V brakes have worked so very well for me. But perhaps I will be surprised and my inner technology geek will be simply delighted either way. The new adventure begins Saturday....
And yes, I know that the 920 is not considered a hybrid in the traditional sense but it is something of a hybrid between a MTB and a traditional tourer so perhaps I will still be welcome here after it becomes my main ride??
I am an engineer, a technology junkie, a dork, so I am happy to have disk brakes on the new bike. At the same time I cannot fault the V brakes on my Fuji. They are powerful, they modulate well, they work fine in wet weather, and if I am careful to adjust the toe in on the pads they are squeal free. The claim is that disks are better, safer because they work great in wet and muddy conditions and they modulate so very well. In a few months time I should have enough experience with that to form a personal opinion on the matter. I think the brakes on the 920 are easily good enough to show me the benefits of disks if there are any. Now I did just replace a wheel on my folding bike because the rim brakes had worn the rims to the point where the tire bead had started to separate from the rest of the rim. Disk brakes won't do that to you!
I'm not expecting a huge difference because V brakes have worked so very well for me. But perhaps I will be surprised and my inner technology geek will be simply delighted either way. The new adventure begins Saturday....
And yes, I know that the 920 is not considered a hybrid in the traditional sense but it is something of a hybrid between a MTB and a traditional tourer so perhaps I will still be welcome here after it becomes my main ride??
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,291
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,909 Times
in
1,884 Posts
"Sorry, we don't have that" is something I hear a lot, and I hear "sorry, we can't order that" just as often. It's usually easier to just order online than to throw yourself at the mercy of a very foot-dragging dealer, but that's still a few days in which the bike is off the ground.
Relying on other's to do a basic service is ok to a point, but if given the choice to do it myself or have it possibly done wrong by someone else, no hesitation would exist to just do it myself.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!