So the disc brakes likely degrade over time requiring more change outs, that is quite costly…
What about carbon plated running shoes?
Wheels for disc brakes require more spokes and/or are less stiff.
But when I’m descending on my rim brakes noone can hear me screechi… coming.
But when I’m descending on my rim brakes noone can hear me screechi… coming.
when I was still racing 'cross, just about the time the switch to discs was beginning, I justified staying on cantis thusly: they don’t really slow me down, they just let people know I’m about to run into them.
Wheels for disc brakes require more spokes and/or are less stiff.
Curious if this is true
.
Although somewhat dated, there’s a pretty good GCN video one YouTube comparing rim vs disc performance. I watched it a while back and though not precise, it’s worth viewing. Sorry for not posting a link.
The die is cast on this. Rim brakes don’t exist on Shimano and SRAM’s top three groups. If rim brakes matter to you, buy springs, pads and holders, and maybe a few calipers for the future. But then what happens when your shifter fail? You could switch to Campy, but who knows how long they’ll make rim brakes - try finding a 2011-2014 Chorus, Record or Super Record front derailleur. Even the 2015-2018 versions are rare.
Although somewhat dated, there’s a pretty good GCN video one YouTube comparing rim vs disc performance. I watched it a while back and though not precise, it’s worth viewing. Sorry for not posting a link.
The die is cast on this. Rim brakes don’t exist on Shimano and SRAM’s top three groups. If rim brakes matter to you, buy springs, pads and holders, and maybe a few calipers for the future. But then what happens when your shifter fail? You could switch to Campy, but who knows how long they’ll make rim brakes - try finding a 2011-2014 Chorus, Record or Super Record front derailleur. Even the 2015-2018 versions are rare.
Both of Shimano’s two top groups - Dura Ace R9200 and Ultegra R8100 - are available in rim brake iterations.
Thanks for the correction. Not sure what I was thinking.
Although somewhat dated, there’s a pretty good GCN video one YouTube comparing rim vs disc performance. I watched it a while back and though not precise, it’s worth viewing. Sorry for not posting a link.
The die is cast on this. Rim brakes don’t exist on Shimano and SRAM’s top three groups. If rim brakes matter to you, buy springs, pads and holders, and maybe a few calipers for the future. But then what happens when your shifter fail? You could switch to Campy, but who knows how long they’ll make rim brakes - try finding a 2011-2014 Chorus, Record or Super Record front derailleur. Even the 2015-2018 versions are rare.
What is going on in the low end bike world, they all going disc too? Figure you will still be able to grab parts there
Thanks for the correction. Not sure what I was thinking.
There’s a fair number of folks that aren’t aware of this fact. I had to set the owner of my LBS straight on it and he still doubted me until I offered to bring in the R9250 rim brake STI shifters I had sitting at home.
I still think that if rim brakes came out today after disc brakes they would be adopted. Cut pounds off your bike! Lighter wheels. Lighter bike. Almost no loss in braking power. More aero. Way less maintenance. Much cheaper.
When disc brakes work, they are trouble free. When disc brakes don’t work, it’s costly and a pain in the butt.
Disc brakes don’t wear your rims out. Wheels last longer.
Disc brakes work better when wet.
Disc brakes offer smoother operation (lever feel)
Disc brakes don’t need cable changes, but they do need fluid flushes.
Advantage to rim brake is less cost, that’s bout it. Although, it’s simplicity in design and if the bike is kept clean, cables last long and the brakes are trouble free.
This old debate reminded me of an article I read the other day on how Lexus plans to keep the stick shift alive. Basically, Toyota have come up with a make believe clutch and stick shift hooked up to a computer that in turn controls the engine. The car will jolt or judder if it picks up that you are “shifting” poorly. It got me thinking that maybe manufacturers could come out with a disc brake variant that gives that rim brake feel for those die-hard rim brake fans. Maybe a rain sensor so that the brakes don’t work as well when it gets wet. Possibly a small heater to apply searing heat to your carbon wheel. Spin the wheel and see if your expensive carbon wheel delaminates.
Rim brakes are the equivalent of the stick shift. But I get all the arguments. I grew up learning to drive in a stick shift and always thought it was superior. It was always a stick shift for me. Then cars just started coming out as autos. One day I actually realized, why the hell would I actually want a stick shift now. Yep, rim brakes do the job if all you have to do is slow at a turn around and stop at a dismount line in the dry. But you are then also ignoring a lot of other benefits. They are fast becoming the equivalent of the stick shift, best left to an old classic.
Rim brakes are quite simply inferior tech. Head on over to a MTB forum and you won’t find anyone grizzling about not being able to find a rim brake bike. There is no one pining for the good old days of running down a steep descent in the wet, grabbing the levers and finding nothing…
Those of you still arguing are holding onto your stick shifter.
This old debate reminded me of an article I read the other day on how Lexus plans to keep the stick shift alive. Basically, Toyota have come up with a make believe clutch and stick shift hooked up to a computer that in turn controls the engine. The car will jolt or judder if it picks up that you are “shifting” poorly. It got me thinking that maybe manufacturers could come out with a disc brake variant that gives that rim brake feel for those die-hard rim brake fans. Maybe a rain sensor so that the brakes don’t work as well when it gets wet. Possibly a small heater to apply searing heat to your carbon wheel. Spin the wheel and see if your expensive carbon wheel delaminates.
Rim brakes are the equivalent of the stick shift. But I get all the arguments. I grew up learning to drive in a stick shift and always thought it was superior. It was always a stick shift for me. Then cars just started coming out as autos. One day I actually realized, why the hell would I actually want a stick shift now. Yep, rim brakes do the job if all you have to do is slow at a turn around and stop at a dismount line in the dry. But you are then also ignoring a lot of other benefits. They are fast becoming the equivalent of the stick shift, best left to an old classic.
Rim brakes are quite simply inferior tech. Head on over to a MTB forum and you won’t find anyone grizzling about not being able to find a rim brake bike. There is no one pining for the good old days of running down a steep descent in the wet, grabbing the levers and finding nothing…
Those of you still arguing are holding onto your stick shifter.
MTB is a complete different world, where the decends completely do matter. You know something nice about stick shift… if your battery dies you can still start your car 
Thanks for the correction. Not sure what I was thinking.
However, you are definitely correct that this is where the industry is going. I have rim brakes on the fat bike, but personally hate them on road and TT bikes. Have so many wheels, that I see myself phasing out of this hobby before running of braking surface.
Maybe there is a significant business opportunity here for other manufacturers? The “specialized” model of pushing 20 k bikes does not seem sustainable. But then, Giant makes some very affordable stuff and are also in trouble so I am definitely missing something here.
Can someone please explain why a Disc brake applies more force to the wheel than a rim brake… I get it that the disc is just on one side, so more spokes are needed on the disc side, however, the braking force is between the contact patch (road) and pivot point (hub), overall it doesn’t matter where the caliper is between the tyre and hub
Personally I love all the cheap rim brake parts and second hand bikes. However, I also appreciate the advantage of a disc brake.
same here! i have disc on my cross bikes and gravel bikes, but i can’t afford to replace my road and tt bikes + race wheels. for at best a tiny advantage, and possible a wash on TT. rim braking on my hed jets is amazing.
i do love it on my cross bikes tho.
LOL 2007 posted a thread. Not sure which is the leading *Old Man Yelling at Clouds *argument- the last remaining anti-disc brake diehards, the carbon plate/PEBAX shoes are the devil types, or the everything is too expensive these days, in my day we run through broken glass in transition and liked it posters.
Can someone please explain why a Disc brake applies more force to the wheel than a rim brake… I get it that the disc is just on one side, so more spokes are needed on the disc side, however, the braking force is between the contact patch (road) and pivot point (hub), overall it doesn’t matter where the caliper is between the tyre and hub
Personally I love all the cheap rim brake parts and second hand bikes. However, I also appreciate the advantage of a disc brake.
I’m not sure disc brake wheels require more spokes. My guess is that different wheel manufacturers solve problems different ways. More spokes vs. stronger spokes vs more spokes on the brake side or who knows what other options.
There are lots of disc brake wheels with 24 spokes front and rear. 24 still feels relatively low to me. I have 3 sets of disc wheels. The ones for the tandem are 40 spoke front and rear, but it’s a tandem and we’re too heavy to go with anything less. The Bontrager disc wheels that came with my Emonda are 24 front and rear. The Hunts I replaced them with are 20 front and 24 rear. The rim brake Hunts on my old Litespeed are 18 front and 24 rear, but the rims aren’t the same height as the disc Hunts. My rim braked Hed Ardennes are 28 front and rear.