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The braking system of a bicycle

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The braking system of a bicycle

Old 09-14-22, 12:30 AM
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I_like_e_bike
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The braking system of a bicycle

At present, the common braking system in the market is mostly divided into hydraulic braking and mechanical braking or other, what is the difference between them?
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Old 09-14-22, 12:37 AM
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CliffordK
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Perhaps there would also be differences in disc vs rim brakes.

And rim brakes are divided into several styles.

Calipers, V-Brakes, Canti-Brakes, U-Brakes, Direct Mount, etc.

There have been attempts to make hydraulic rim brakes, but the technology has never taken off.
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Old 09-14-22, 12:50 AM
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Cable activated rim brakes are a very simple and mature technology, and work very well. They are also lightweight. But, they have downsides, in particular susceptible to grit, and rim wear. Also heating in certain conditions. Cable runs can also be problematic in some situations.

Hydraulic disc brakes seem to be preferable to mechanical cable activated disc brakes, I think due to responsiveness of the brakes. The hydraulic systems are also not constrained by tight angles, and can be run through the handlebar stem/headset, and around tight bends with internal routing.
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Old 09-14-22, 02:59 AM
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Originally Posted by I_like_e_bike
At present, the common braking system in the market is mostly divided into hydraulic braking and mechanical braking or other, what is the difference between them?
It's mostly divided between "disc" and "rim" brakes actually. They are all "mechanical" systems in the bigger picture.
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Old 09-14-22, 03:16 AM
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Originally Posted by I_like_e_bike
At present, the common braking system in the market is mostly divided into hydraulic braking and mechanical braking or other, what is the difference between them?
Hydraulic uses brake fluid or brake oil and mechanical uses a cable.
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Old 09-14-22, 03:31 AM
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
Hydraulic uses brake fluid or brake oil and mechanical uses a cable.
But that's not where the current "big divide" is with bicycle braking systems. It's all about "Disc" vs "Rim" brakes, whether hydraulic or cable actuated. It just happens that most rim brakes are cable actuated and most higher-end disc brakes are hydraulic. They are all forms of a "mechanical system", so "hydraulic" vs "mechanical" braking is misleading. The 2 main braking systems of interest here are:-

1. Cable actuated rim brakes
2. Hydraulic actuated disc brakes

These ^ are what all the fuss is about.

The other forms are:-

3. Hydraulic actuated rim brakes
4. Cable actuated disc brakes

There is little current interest in the former and the latter is mostly low-end gear, with a few notable exceptions.
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Old 09-14-22, 03:40 AM
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Don't forget drum brakes.
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Old 09-14-22, 05:50 AM
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https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakes.html
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Old 09-14-22, 05:55 AM
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Originally Posted by kcorfognik
Don't forget drum brakes.
And coaster brakes. And rod-actuated rim and spoon brakes.
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Old 09-16-22, 06:39 AM
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And air brakes and electric brakes, but I doubt anyone has ever adopted either of them to a bicycle...
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Old 09-16-22, 06:42 AM
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Originally Posted by I_like_e_bike
At present, the common braking system in the market is mostly divided into hydraulic braking and mechanical braking or other, what is the difference between them?
Hydraulic brakes are just like the brakes in your car. It has fluid in it that puts pressure on the pads to make you stop. And if you ever disconnect the system for maintenance, repair etc. you'll have to bleed the air out of the system (same as on your car).
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Old 09-16-22, 06:58 AM
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Originally Posted by I_like_e_bike
At present, the common braking system in the market is mostly divided into hydraulic braking and mechanical braking or other, what is the difference between them?
CheGiantForLife is back!
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Old 09-16-22, 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Koyote
Awwww, man, and I even made a helpful post in the thread! I let my "trolldar" defenses down!
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Old 09-16-22, 01:56 PM
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No one mentioned dragging one's foot.
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Old 09-16-22, 03:16 PM
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Does letting aerodynamic drag bring you to a stop count? Technically your using a fluid to slow you down.
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Old 09-16-22, 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by ironwood
No one mentioned dragging one's foot.
Problem is with the cost of sneaks replacement pads will really run up the costs.
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Old 09-16-22, 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by I_like_e_bike
At present, the common braking system in the market is mostly divided into hydraulic braking and mechanical braking or other, what is the difference between them?
I was under the impression that there would be no compare and contrast essay questions on BF tests.

John
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Old 09-16-22, 04:31 PM
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Polaris OBark
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Originally Posted by ironwood
No one mentioned dragging one's foot.
Eventually, someone would get around to it.
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Old 09-16-22, 04:31 PM
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What happened to the Fixie crowd...

NO BRAKES?
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Old 09-16-22, 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by PeteHski
But that's not where the current "big divide" is with bicycle braking systems. It's all about "Disc" vs "Rim" brakes, whether hydraulic or cable actuated. It just happens that most rim brakes are cable actuated and most higher-end disc brakes are hydraulic. They are all forms of a "mechanical system", so "hydraulic" vs "mechanical" braking is misleading. The 2 main braking systems of interest here are:-

1. Cable actuated rim brakes
2. Hydraulic actuated disc brakes

These ^ are what all the fuss is about.

The other forms are:-

3. Hydraulic actuated rim brakes
4. Cable actuated disc brakes

There is little current interest in the former and the latter is mostly low-end gear, with a few notable exceptions.
There's also cable actuated hydraulic disc brakes, where the entire hydraulic system is contained within the brake caliper. Get many of the benefits of hydraulic brakes with the ease of setup of cable actuated brakes.
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Old 09-16-22, 06:52 PM
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Breaks.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
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Old 09-19-22, 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by ironwood
No one mentioned dragging one's foot.
Yep, Flintstone brakes. I had them on my bike as a child.
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Old 09-20-22, 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by ironwood
No one mentioned dragging one's foot.
Originally Posted by Polaris OBark
Eventually, someone would get around to it.

That joke took me a beat to get. Nice!
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Old 09-21-22, 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by ironwood
No one mentioned dragging one's foot.
You betake to it!
And don't forget the simple crash, which all of us have used, but may not like to admit it.
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Old 09-21-22, 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by ironwood
No one mentioned dragging one's foot.
Somewhere on the Rivbike website is an old photo showing a cyclist descending a hill whilst dragging a tree branch as a brake. Probably preferable to dragging a foot in some situations.

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