Sure, a disc brake could be faster overall because it enables you to brake later and/or less, but it’s oxymoronic that any braking device could help you “accelerate” faster…
sigh
Umm, not really, as the rotational weight of the disk is closer to the axle than the rim is, and so the power required to spin up the wheel during acceleration is less. There’s a question of specific physics as to if the added total weight of the disk brake overrides that of the reduced rotational inertia, but there is physics to support that a braking system that is close to axle offers less impediment ot acceleration than a rim mounted system. Accepting this benefit only applies to disk specific wheels with no braking rims. And then of course the bike industry seems to have shot itself in the foot by simultaneously going to tubeless which adds a load of weight back out on the outer periphery of the wheel through thicker tyres, beads, thicker / wider rim tape and filling the tyre with liquid.
So for clarity I’m, all about the progress on disk brakes, but think seatposts should never have stopped being be alu/ti, call foul over 1x gearing on MTB or road, and wish we had just stopped life at mechanical 10sp ultegra shifting…
This is just one comment I just don’t understand. Personally I think maintenance on disc brakes is so much easier than cantis. I used 2 sets of wheels and they interchange with no needed adjustments. Yea, I may get a ting ting during a ride for a few seconds here or there…no big deal. I get a chuckle out of canti users if it’s even damp out , their brakes just suck. Heck with discs, you really almost never even need to bleed them. 99.9 % of the time you can just tap the lines to push any air to the top and fill the fluid…doing front and back takes all of under 5 minutes.
Maintenance is really just brake pad changes and even that is easier than wth cantis.
This is just one comment I just don’t understand. Personally I think maintenance on disc brakes is so much easier than cantis. I used 2 sets of wheels and they interchange with no needed adjustments. Yea, I may get a ting ting during a ride for a few seconds here or there…no big deal. I get a chuckle out of canti users if it’s even damp out , their brakes just suck. Heck with discs, you really almost never even need to bleed them. 99.9 % of the time you can just tap the lines to push any air to the top and fill the fluid…doing front and back takes all of under 5 minutes.
Maintenance is really just brake pad changes and even that is easier than wth cantis.
We’re talking road bikes. It’s not discs vs cantis (which also suck). It’s discs vs road rim calipers, and I just don’t think there’s any comparison on the maintenance front.
I’m looking into getting a new road bike (S-works Tarmac) but what I’m struggling with at the moment is do I go with the current trend in cycling and buy a disc road bike? or Should I just buy a 2018 rim brake version? Advantages for the disc is obviously more stopping power, but the disadvantage is more weight and more expensive. People that I’ve spoken with seem to say that a rim brake road bike will feel more responsive/ accelerate quicker and is less expensive. This will be a dream bike build, so I don’t want to make the wrong decision here. Thanks.
I had a 2006 S Works tarmac that I had crash replaced from Specialized for a 2010 model. Had it up until a couple months ago. Last year, I bought a Roubaix that had thru axles, Di2, and disc brakes. All the “new techâ€. I didn’t ride my S-Works Tarmac rim brake bike ever since I bought the Roubaix. Since I had the Tarmac for so many years, I did not want to sell it until I knew for sure I didn’t need it anymore. On the scale, the Roubaix is heavier than my Tarmac. I can’t tell when riding it though. The Di2 is flawless and I have zero desire to go back to cable derailleurs. The hydro disc brakes are so smooth and offer great stopping power. Again, I can’t imagine wanting to go back to rim brakes. Initially I thought about not having any disc wheels to swap. I went into the shop and the shop owner said I was a fool and just to ride the carbon Roval wheels everyday and don’t even bother with a second set of wheels. I have been doing just that. One bike and one set of wheels. Simplicity.
This is just one comment I just don’t understand. Personally I think maintenance on disc brakes is so much easier than cantis. I used 2 sets of wheels and they interchange with no needed adjustments. Yea, I may get a ting ting during a ride for a few seconds here or there…no big deal. I get a chuckle out of canti users if it’s even damp out , their brakes just suck. Heck with discs, you really almost never even need to bleed them. 99.9 % of the time you can just tap the lines to push any air to the top and fill the fluid…doing front and back takes all of under 5 minutes.
Maintenance is really just brake pad changes and even that is easier than wth cantis.
We’re talking road bikes. It’s not discs vs cantis (which also suck). It’s discs vs road rim calipers, and I just don’t think there’s any comparison on the maintenance front.
Still don’t see any maintenance issues with disc… I have them on 5 different bikes…set em and forgot em. And like I said, the one time I had a soft lever, took all of 5 minutes to take care of doing both levers. I guess, for the type of people that can’t turn a screw driver so to speak, it could be an issue, but then I’d assume these are the same people having a shop replace brake cables so the maintenance “issue†between the two systems would be just the same.
This is just one comment I just don’t understand. Personally I think maintenance on disc brakes is so much easier than cantis. I used 2 sets of wheels and they interchange with no needed adjustments. Yea, I may get a ting ting during a ride for a few seconds here or there…no big deal. I get a chuckle out of canti users if it’s even damp out , their brakes just suck. Heck with discs, you really almost never even need to bleed them. 99.9 % of the time you can just tap the lines to push any air to the top and fill the fluid…doing front and back takes all of under 5 minutes.
Maintenance is really just brake pad changes and even that is easier than wth cantis.
We’re talking road bikes. It’s not discs vs cantis (which also suck). It’s discs vs road rim calipers, and I just don’t think there’s any comparison on the maintenance front.
Still don’t see any maintenance issues with disc… I have them on 5 different bikes…set em and forgot em. And like I said, the one time I had a soft lever, took all of 5 minutes to take care of doing both levers. I guess, for the type of people that can’t turn a screw driver so to speak, it could be an issue, but then I’d assume these are the same people having a shop replace brake cables so the maintenance “issue†between the two systems would be just the same.
I’m in complete agreement here…I went to road disc about 3 years ago and will never go back. Maintenance, braking power (in all conditions), and wheel swaps are all better with disc.
I upgraded that bike from 105 to Ultegra Di2 and the performance is even better. I’m a total convert to Di2 now, and the Ultegra discs are superb. No worries about heating up my latex tubes either, haha!!
To the OP, on a brand-new road bike I vote disc all the way. No contest.
Are building a dream bike for crits? I race a lot of crits. If I was racing my dream bike I would be forever scared of crashing out and destroying my dream bike. (I don’t crash a lot, but would still be tentative).
I’m looking into getting a new road bike (S-works Tarmac) but what I’m struggling with at the moment is do I go with the current trend in cycling and buy a disc road bike? or Should I just buy a 2018 rim brake version? Advantages for the disc is obviously more stopping power, but the disadvantage is more weight and more expensive. People that I’ve spoken with seem to say that a rim brake road bike will feel more responsive/ accelerate quicker and is less expensive. This will be a dream bike build, so I don’t want to make the wrong decision here. Thanks.
I come from the mountain bike world…I think it’s insane that you guys didn’t ALWAYS have disc brake options. The manufacturers are obviously trying to kill you. Who cares about a couple ounces? Have confidence stopping in the rain. Get the discs.
Somebody please tell the peloton colour TV is here! Despite being paid to ride disc, half of them still ride rim, including Liege Bastogne Liege winner Fulsang.
If with the pressure they have from sponsors to ride disc so many resist… I presume in average they believe rim is better.
Are building a dream bike for crits? I race a lot of crits. If I was racing my dream bike I would be forever scared of crashing out and destroying my dream bike. (I don’t crash a lot, but would still be tentative).
You probably won’t crash.
And if you do there’s frame crash replacement.
And if you don’t want to pay for that you can get velo insurance.
And if you don’t have insurance you can just use a crash as an excuse to get a better dream bike.
And if none of it works out, fuck it it’s only money you should focus on having fun. Bike unpurchased due to fear you’d lose it, or purchased but nor ridden, is the most useless thing.
Still don’t see any maintenance issues with disc… I have them on 5 different bikes…set em and forgot em. And like I said, the one time I had a soft lever, took all of 5 minutes to take care of doing both levers. I guess, for the type of people that can’t turn a screw driver so to speak, it could be an issue, but then I’d assume these are the same people having a shop replace brake cables so the maintenance “issue†between the two systems would be just the same.
This is the internet so everyone has an equal voice regardless of knowledge and experience. The “discs don’t require more maintenance” crowd (quite wrongly) won this thread, so just to balance things out a little I wanted to refer you all to another recent thread, and in particular this post:
Here is my unofficial cheat for when new pads squeal on disc brakes. Keep in mind Shimano will probably tell you don’t do this but its worked every time for me so far.
Remove pads from caliper
Place the pads face up on your driveway or other heat/flame proof surface
Use a butane torch on the pads for 10-15 seconds to bake them and burn off any contaminants (wear eye protection)
Remove the glaze on the pad with sandpaper/emery cloth.
Clean the rotor with isopropyl
Install pads
Bed pads
If you’re not going off-road, than rim brakes for sure.
My winter bike has Campy Record 12 disc brakes. They stop better in wet, but are kind of a hassle. When they rub (and they will eventually rub) you have to take it to a shop to fix (no pulling out a multi-tool and making a 2 min adjustment roadside). You have to be delicate with the rotors swapping wheels (no oils, etc.). They are heavier (doesn’t matter for my winter bike, but would on a race bike). They look ugly (in my opinion).
All my race bikes are rim. TBH, I think disc brakes on road were a solution to a problem that no one really had. Carbon brake tracks like ENVE, Zipp NSW, etc as so good now, unless you’re really pushing the limits in rain you don’t need discs. The limitation to braking on a road bike is the contact patch of your tires, not the brake interface.
And just think what great deals you’ll be able to get on rim brake wheelsets a few years from now…
EDIT: Oh well, didn’t read the whole thread. Looks like OP already pulled the trigger. Oh well. Congrats, but for other people considering the same thing, my vote is still rim, even if money is no object.
I used to think disc or nothing.
Now, I think tt depends on your usage of the bike though.
A lot of people are riding their road bikes on rougher, possibly muddier roads, light trails, etc. If that is you, a disc brake might be a better option.
These are good questions to ask and considerations to make.
Yes, you can get a “gravel bike” if you like, but a regular road bike will do fine on most gravel roads that are not ridiculous. With disc brakes that opens up room to put wider tires on for this use - 28mm or perhaps even more.
Yet, I’m disappointed that Specialized is not offering a rim brake version on their Roubaix model. A Specialized dealer said that will be the trend and there will be no rim brakes in the future.
With the riding I do, rim brakes with Kool Stop pads work. Would rather not have to maintain a disc brake nor have to manage N+1 bikes with rim brakes and disc brakes. The difference between rim and disc frames also limits me in selecting a replacement frame for the parts I now have.
I think bike stores like rim brakes because it probably places the simple maintenance that I can do out of my reach and into their hands.
Is it easy to take front and rear wheels off and put the bike in the trunk? Hope so because I might be there one day.
