Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Will you ever go disc?

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Will you ever go disc?

Old 04-22-19, 02:40 PM
  #1  
carlos danger
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
carlos danger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: the danger zone!
Posts: 514

Bikes: steel is real. and so is Ti...

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 216 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 19 Posts
Will you ever go disc?

Seeing as most makers now make road bikes with discs I wonder if most people will transition to discs or simply continue to run rim brakes until the end of time.

Personally I've been on discs since 2008. And I kinda like them. I only have one bike with rim brakes and I pretty much only use it when its dry and sunny outside so I have no problems with them. They work just as good as discs in those conditions.
carlos danger is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 02:45 PM
  #2  
rumrunn6
Senior Member
 
rumrunn6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,545

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5222 Post(s)
Liked 3,576 Times in 2,340 Posts
I recently got a MTB w disc brakes & when I upgrade my road bike I will look for the same. I buy used, so it may be a few years before I can afford a road bike w discs
rumrunn6 is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 02:49 PM
  #3  
datlas 
Should Be More Popular
 
datlas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,027

Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix

Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22571 Post(s)
Liked 8,918 Times in 4,152 Posts
I have a "forever" road bike made of Ti that is set up for rim brakes. I have no intention of switching to discs anytime soon, but never say never.
__________________
Originally Posted by rjones28
Addiction is all about class.
datlas is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 02:57 PM
  #4  
Seattle Forrest
Senior Member
 
Seattle Forrest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times in 6,054 Posts
I already did. Prefer it this way.
Seattle Forrest is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 03:01 PM
  #5  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
Cross bike? Sure. Mountain bike? Sure. Road bike? Nope.
caloso is offline  
Likes For caloso:
Old 04-22-19, 03:05 PM
  #6  
noodle soup
Senior Member
 
noodle soup's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,922
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,882 Times in 998 Posts
12 months ago I would have said no to discs, but I got a great deal on the bike I wanted(but with discs). I bought it, and have no regrets. Discs work better in all conditions.

You don’t always need the benefits, but they are still there. The weight difference is real, but the penalty is negligible.

If I was buying a TT bike, I’d probably go with rim brakes.
noodle soup is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 03:07 PM
  #7  
f4rrest
Farmer tan
 
f4rrest's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Burbank, CA
Posts: 7,986

Bikes: Allez, SuperSix Evo

Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2870 Post(s)
Liked 28 Times in 23 Posts
I was happy to have disc on a rental road bike in Maui, where it's wet, twisty, and steep in some places.

On the other hand, in socal it's unnecessary for me on the road.

I'm sure rim calipers and compatible wheels will continue to be available for decades, even if they're eventually phased out on new bikes.
f4rrest is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 03:31 PM
  #8  
Homebrew01
Super Moderator
 
Homebrew01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843

Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times in 612 Posts
I have too many rim-brake bikes and wheels already. Don't expect to get a new bike any time soon, and it's convenient to be able to swap wheels around.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.

FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Homebrew01 is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 03:38 PM
  #9  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,945

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6173 Post(s)
Liked 4,791 Times in 3,305 Posts
I used to say friction shifters were the only shifter I'd ever need/want. Boy was I wrong and wish I'd switched to indexed shifting years sooner.

However disc brakes just seem to complicate wheel changes too much. As well, it seems they will add more maintenance to what is currently a very low maintenance item for me.

I certainly can't say never. Might be that eventually it will be all I can buy.
Iride01 is online now  
Old 04-22-19, 03:38 PM
  #10  
CliffordK
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18349 Post(s)
Liked 4,502 Times in 3,346 Posts
I seem to be at least 10 years behind the curve on purchasing bike stuff, but trying to catch up.

So, perhaps by 2030 it will be time to "go disc".

Of course, by that time, I may be old enough to not really care.
CliffordK is offline  
Likes For CliffordK:
Old 04-22-19, 03:41 PM
  #11  
rubiksoval
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 4,444

Bikes: bikes

Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2622 Post(s)
Liked 1,429 Times in 711 Posts
No. I'm not one for fads and solutions to problems I don't have.
rubiksoval is offline  
Likes For rubiksoval:
Old 04-22-19, 03:41 PM
  #12  
79pmooney
Senior Member
 
79pmooney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,890

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4789 Post(s)
Liked 3,915 Times in 2,546 Posts
Not likely. I've got too many rim brake bikes, all with very good stopping power plus I have 55 years of experience riding and stopping in the rain. Got into the habit of slightly dragging the brakes in major wet riding a long time ago anytime I might need to stop.

I change out wheel all the time. I flip fix gear wheels, have several wheels for each dropout width standard with different FW/cassettes and tires and borrow wheels of different bikes. No desire for yet another wheel standard. Love how easy rim brake wheels are to swap. Plus light, cheap and easy to maintain. And it gives me an excuse to do my favorite hobby without going into wheel N+1, replace the rim and rebuild the wheel.

Ben
79pmooney is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 03:43 PM
  #13  
Dean V
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,853
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1067 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 259 Times in 153 Posts
Yes, I will and have. But not exclusively.
Have bikes with both and am happy to ride either.
Dean V is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 03:44 PM
  #14  
ThermionicScott 
working on my sandal tan
 
ThermionicScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,627

Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)

Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3870 Post(s)
Liked 2,563 Times in 1,577 Posts
Originally Posted by noodle soup
12 months ago I would have said no to discs, but I got a great deal on the bike I wanted(but with discs). I bought it, and have no regrets. Discs work better in all conditions.

You don’t always need the benefits, but they are still there. The weight difference is real, but the penalty is negligible.
That's likely how it would happen for me. I'm pretty happy with C&V bikes, but I may want a new bike someday, and rim-brake options are disappearing.
__________________
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
RUSA #7498
ThermionicScott is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 03:52 PM
  #15  
FlashBazbo
Chases Dogs for Sport
 
FlashBazbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,288
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 983 Post(s)
Liked 141 Times in 94 Posts
I already made the switch. Braking modulation (all the time) and power (in the wet) are important to me. I still have one bike with rim brakes, but I never use them -- the bike resides full-time on my trainer.
FlashBazbo is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 03:56 PM
  #16  
cthenn
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 2,668

Bikes: 2023 Canyon Aeoroad CF SL, 2015 Trek Emonda SLR, 2002 Litespeed Classic, 2005 Bianchi Pista, Some BikesDirect MTB I never ride.

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 647 Post(s)
Liked 136 Times in 89 Posts
Not if I can help it. However, the decision may be made for me in the near future, the next time I go to buy a new road bike.
cthenn is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 04:04 PM
  #17  
Psimet2001 
I eat carbide.
 
Psimet2001's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 21,627

Bikes: Lots. Van Dessel and Squid Dealer

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1325 Post(s)
Liked 1,306 Times in 560 Posts
It doesn't matter. If you continue to ride road and at some point need to buy a new bike then the decision will be made for you.
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels

Psimet2001 is offline  
Likes For Psimet2001:
Old 04-22-19, 04:05 PM
  #18  
Pilot321
Junior Member
 
Pilot321's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: S.E. PA
Posts: 157

Bikes: 1987 Cannondale SR500

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 61 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I have no desire to change to discs for man reasons others state. If I happen to find a new, or newer bike that has them that I really like, I may just buy it. I've ridden my rim brakes in the rain over the years without issues.
Pilot321 is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 04:33 PM
  #19  
Rides4Beer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: VA
Posts: 1,437

Bikes: SuperSix Evo | Revolt

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 733 Post(s)
Liked 815 Times in 414 Posts
I prob will when I get a gravel/cx bike.

Not saying that I won't eventually end up with a road bike with discs, but I feel no need to rush out and buy one, since I currently have no problems stopping in the wet or dry with my rim brakes, even on carbon wheels.
Rides4Beer is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 04:58 PM
  #20  
BluFalconActual
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 361
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 144 Post(s)
Liked 55 Times in 33 Posts
I live in SoCal and bought a nice rim brake bike last year and it works perfectly for the conditions I ride in. However, as others have said, the next time I’m in the market for a road bike it will probably be disc because that’s what the manufacturers have decided the future is.
BluFalconActual is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 05:08 PM
  #21  
cthenn
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 2,668

Bikes: 2023 Canyon Aeoroad CF SL, 2015 Trek Emonda SLR, 2002 Litespeed Classic, 2005 Bianchi Pista, Some BikesDirect MTB I never ride.

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 647 Post(s)
Liked 136 Times in 89 Posts
Was surprised the number of pros riding discs in P-R. Suffice it to say, they are seemingly losing the battle with the manufacturers with regards to going exclusively to disc.
cthenn is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 05:29 PM
  #22  
Seattle Forrest
Senior Member
 
Seattle Forrest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times in 6,054 Posts
I wonder if there was as much resistance when they put seatbelts into cars?
Seattle Forrest is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 05:40 PM
  #23  
MSchott
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Farmington Hills, MI
Posts: 375

Bikes: 2017 Specialized Roubaix Sport SL4

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 94 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times in 33 Posts
Just bought a new bike at a good price with rim brakes. It’s doubtful I’ll buy another bike any time soon.
MSchott is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 05:51 PM
  #24  
RShantz
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 609
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 278 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 19 Posts
[QUOTE=Seattle Forrest;20896073]I wonder if there was as much resistance when they put seatbelts into cars?[/QUOTEY

You hit the nail on the head with this one. I recently bought a new bike and got discs. My logic was that I'd feel very stupid if I ever had an accident that I thought could have been avoided if I'd gotten discs. In certain situations I truly fell they are safer - at least with me. Maybe not so for a pro??? Also, I ride the mountains a good bit and I descend faster with them. Again, maybe a pro wouldn't benefit but I'm talking about me. I certainly brake deeper and harder with the discs.
RShantz is offline  
Old 04-22-19, 05:56 PM
  #25  
colnago62
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,433
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 412 Times in 230 Posts
Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest
I already did. Prefer it this way.
The type of brake that is on a bike is not a deal breaker for me. I have a bike with rim brakes that I use primarily in the summer/dry weather and a disc bike with fenders that I use in the wintertime. The summer bike didn’t come in disc at the time and the winter bike’s main attraction was the ability to attach full length fenders
colnago62 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.