The just say No to road disc folks here are being disparaged as being luddites, anti-progress, anti-technology etc. Unfair characterizations. We are not anti-tech, but anti-tech that is heavy, fussy, and unnecessary. As in discs on road bikes.
Again, we're not talking about mountain bikes, or touring bikes, or commuting in the rain bikes, where discs are highly desirable. We're talking about go-fast bikes, in which weight, especially rotational weight is the key differentiator of performance. Performance being measured as the ability to not be dropped off the back out of the corners or on hills. Or, even better the ability to shed stragglers off of the back through accelerations.
So there is a quick guide to desirable vs. undesirable tech for go-fast bikes, regardless of vintage:
Good:
- Carbon (for almost everything)
- Electronic shifting
- Clipless pedals
- 2 x drivetrains
- Tubular rims and tires (lighter, stronger, safer)
Not good:
- Discs (heavy, fussy, and unnecessary)
- Fat tires >25mm (we're not mountain biking on the road. Fat tires are heavy, high rolling resistance and un-aero)
- Tubeless (unless you live in goathead land, or you don't know how to field fix a flat)
- 1 x drivetrains (Why why why????)
You are welcome.