jaydubu

Just wondering. I have a caddx 105 with avid shorty's and everytime I consider getting a new cross/gravel bike, I talk myself out of it due to how much I like my caddx. I don't race and I don't ride in wet conditions very often. What am I missing by not having discs. Oh and I don't have a problem running 35mm tires.

tangerineowl

I'd say you're missing nothing with your riding conditions.

Only reason I'm running them is due to not being able to find a frame with enough tyre clearance for my specs.

tyrion

Just a little puddle or stream can get your rims wet, which will inevitably attract dirt, which will cause a horrible grinding sound when you brake. That's what I dislike most about rim brakes.

chaadster

They’re not necessary at all.

There are many reasons discs are nicer, but necessity isn’t one of them.

I opted against discs on my Kinesis build for reasons of weight, cost, groupset (no Campagnolo discs at the time), and wheel compatibility with my other rim brake roadies. Had I not wanted the wheel swap-ability, or if it was my main bike, I’d have gone discs.

I wouldn’t replace a beloved bike just to get discs, particularly if I couldn’t even tell if they would improve my cycling life.

ambro

Personally, I am a Canti fan and when I built up my Cross/ Gravel bike - which came with the option for Disc - I stayed with the Cantis for the reasons mentioned above. Much easier to maintain and I did not feel like getting new wheels. I raced cross and ride my bike on the road and never felt like I didn't have enough stopping power. If I was racing or doing more technical trails - like on a mt bike - discs have a huge advantage - but for normal riding, gravel grinding or even cross racing - I think regular old canti's work great.

shoota 

Caadx

rumrunn6

who stops, really?

Seattle Forrest

I wouldn't. But you know your area better than any of us do.

ksryder

Hell yeah, I took my brakes off for the weight savings.

superdex

Rule 12.

rumrunn6

mstateglfr 

As mentioned, you are missing nothing. I have 0 desire to ride in rain, so having brakes that stop better when wet is moot. When I have been caught in rain, canti brakes have stopped me perfectly fine- both on gravel and when loaded down with gear on camping trips.

I like having 100/130mm spacing on my gravel bike. Its a road bike and used road bike spacing.

If you rode in wet weather a lot, or thru water a lot, or were scared of gravel descents- then sure disc brakes could be helpful and confidence inspiring. Though I am on the larger side of things, I probably dont ride fast enough to feel out of control on gravel.

tdilf

I would say the one thing you are missing is the ability to go into corners or downhill faster - disk brakes allow for braking later because you can stop/slow down faster when needed. Its confidence to go faster! Ironically.

fietsbob

Use or a marketing feature? they are pushed now, as is N+X more 'speeds'...

you can ride on a gravel road with just about any bike, the Tour D France was raced over un paved roads for decades.








....

50voltphantom

This is actually kind of true. A lot of my gravel riding is constant pedaling for like 20+ miles at a shot....

Banzai

Not at all.

Discs have 3 advantages.

1) Better braking with carbon rims. But this is a self-created problem, isn't it?
2) An edge in extreme winter, and really, really wet and sloppy conditions. But it's not like rim brakes won't stop you, just that discs don't really lose anything.
3) The ability to change wheel sizes. Say you want to run 650b one week with big rubber, and 700c the next with a more traditional 32mm? No problem.

TimothyH

Pedaling constantly probably works for the prarie but isn't advisable in the mountains.

chas58

That is the best answer so far. There are some minor down sides (need through axles so they won't rub, the tend to weigh about 1 lb more, worse aero, I would need to purchase a whole new quiver of rims, etc...). Most of it is trivial.

I only wish for disks when riding in really really deep snow and slush.
Realistically, wet rims are a non issue for good rims/pads. But it takes a little more finesse to clear ice off of a rim. Then again, last night my hubs were full of ice too, so disks might not have helped.

Andy_K 

This is mostly true. A lot of times on gravel you're going to be limited by the available traction, but even then discs can help you scrub more speed on the bare spots between the piles of loose gravel. Anyone who cites physics and disputes this has clearly not used Avid Shortys or really good disc brakes.

The other time discs (especially hydraulic discs) can be nice is if you have an extended steep descent where you need to keep your speed in check. I did a gravel ride last year using a bike with dual-pivot calipers where my forearms were starting to cramp on a descent like that.

The downside, since you are used to cantilever brakes, is that you may find yourself surprised by the experience of gently squeezing the brake lever and having the bike actually slow down.

Unkle Rico

This times a million. My dream bike is a Trail Donkey and a few extra sets of rims with different sizes/rubber.. One bike for almost everything would be amazing.

Seattle Forrest

I notice most of the people saying "disc brakes are just a marketing gimmick" live in pretty flat places.

TimothyH

Even flatlanders who like disk brakes cite reasons which have nothing to do with descending true mountains.


-Tim-

Marcus_Ti

Yup. I prefer my good hydraulics (Ultegra) over my good rim-calipers (Campag skeletons or Ultegra rim brakes). They stop better in all conditions, and they simply feel way better.

Yes there's the qualifier "good there...Cheapo disk brakes are about as underwhelming as cheapo rim-calipers.

TimothyH

Fixed.

Marcus_Ti

LOL...I was wearing one of those on my commute home last night...and it was middling-30s Fahrenheit