markg wrote:
eki1 wrote:
... The brakes are a nice engineering execution and I understand the approach, but are they really necessary, especially on a timed bike. You should not be touching the brakes!!! You need hydraulic brakes for a turnaround? And on that note, Tri athletes in general can't go that fast anyways to need powerful brakes. In reality, not that practical and as a mechanic in a shop, hydraulic is a pain to service...air bubbles and all. For the majority of people who are not mechanically inclined, the shops will love to make service money on this one.
I take it you have never raced on a technical course? Yes I know many triathletes that won't go over 25 mph even on a downhill, but those of us that DO appreciate being able to have good brakes when we get to that sharp turn at the bottom of the hill!!
As a mechanical engineer by training, I think thy hydraulics are a BIG win maintenance-wise. No more cable stretch, crap getting into the housings, having to change cables and hard-to-route housings every year.
Also, on long training rides up in the hills, it would be nice to not get hand cramps from poor brake design on long descents. I'm a pretty darn good descender when I want to be, but I'm also much more interested in training tomorrow than taking unnecessary risks today. What I'm trying to say is I descend like an old lady, and would appreciate having strong brakes that are comfortable in my hands.
As a mechanical engineer by training, perhaps you shouldn't mention cable stretch as a problem for the brakes. The cables themselves don't stretch a measurable amount, the housing settling into the end caps, and the end caps settling into their receivers are what lead to "cable stretch." :)
Not having to worry about trading out brake cables/housing on an annual basis is also a nice bonus.
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Ignorance is bliss until they take your bliss away.