Mountain Biking - Does Anyone Prefer Rim Brakes Over Discs?

Does anyone prefer rim brakes over discs.

My take is that they each have their advantages/disadvantages, but i am leaning towards rim brakes because of their ease to adjust them and less maintenance, less costly to fix/replace if needed.

I'm not so sure I can claim to prefer rim brakes over discs. I however am satisified with my rim brakes as they do the job without too much fuss whereas changing over to discs would require quite a bit of investment for what would probably not be a quantum gain. I may do it eventually though.

, but i am leaning towards rim brakes because of their ease to adjust them and less maintenance, less costly to fix/replace if needed.

You would be a fool to choose rim brakes for those reasons. I don't see how my BB7's are less costly to fix/replace than rim brakes or need less maintenance.

Choose rim brakes if you are a weight weenie, retro grouch, ride xc only, and never ride in the rain, and are cheap. Other than that, there are no valid reasons.

The biggest reason that I choose disks over rim brakes is if you wheel is a bit out of true it wont effect your braking unlike with rim brakes....and they preform better in every way (and weather) and I find that with mine it's actually less maintenance.

V brakes are much stronger when set up properly and tar is rubbed on the rims.

Get some of these:
http://www.velo-direct.ch/41_fotos/magura-hs-33-gelb.jpg

The maguras are not v-brakes, you mean rim brakes.

I have v-brakes, and although they aren't the best (xtr.. crap) I have no intention of getting discs in the near future.

I think bikes that are selling for under $1000 should not use discs because they could put the money into better components or frame, and because of maintenance issues that a beginner doesn't want to deal with. I think just putting discs on an inexpensive bike is a marketing ploy.

Under $1000 you'll get BB5's which, as far as ive experienced, stop me very well (even in the mud) and have been maintenance free. No plans to upgrade them in the near future.

The maguras are not v-brakes, you mean rim brakes.

Read again. I didn't refer to the magura's as V brakes, I just told him to get some. :p

Does anyone prefer rim brakes over discs.
http://www.observedtrials.net/vb/images/smilie/momaru.gif

Honestly, I've seen no reason to spend the money.

well seeing as how my MX2's are crap.. maybe but I still prefer my firends BB5 and BB7's over rim brakes.

jeez everyone seems to get all worked up, I was just wondering because it seems on budget bikes around the $700-$1200 range the disc brakes seem to be low end anyways and with rim brakes on the same priced bike you get nicer forks. Example: Specialized Rockhopper pro disc is like $1100 and has disc brakes but ok forks, whereas stumpjumper has fox 90mm forks and rim brakes. I would prefer the stumpy.

Does any one run one rim brake, in front and a v-brake at the rear wheel? Just wondering (sorry to hijack your post dude) but my frame does not have disc braze-ons ('93 Merlin) Suppose I could install new forks and I would be 1/2 way there... or half way stopped... Anyway, there is no such thing as a dumb question except maybe a dumber one... Thanks for any answers & don't get all worked up! When V-brakes came out people were kissing the feet of v-brakes, don't you have a sense of history?
jt

Hmm, V-Brakes can be nice with some good pads and proper rim and system setup, good levers and good cables also help tons, however, they are no match for a good disk brake system (especially hydraulic ones), not even hydraulic rim brakes like Magura's HS-33 pose a threat to hydraulic discs.

not even hydraulic rim brakes like Magura's HS-33 pose a threat to hydraulic discs.

I strongly disagree. A well setup HS-33 locks much stronger than a Hydraulic disc brake. That's why it's seen as the best trials rear brake, and for trials, a strong lock is needed. That's why you seldom see hydraulic disc brakes on the rear of a trials bike.

I can see the definate need for downhill, but for trail riding / aggressive trail riding rim brakes will work just fine, correct?!

I strongly disagree. A well setup HS-33 locks much stronger than a Hydraulic disc brake. That's why it's seen as the best trials rear brake, and for trials, a strong lock is needed. That's why you seldom see hydraulic disc brakes on the rear of a trials bike.

Yes exactly, I forgot to mention that, the only place where Magura HS-33 are ever seen as the brake of choice are trials because they do provide a stronger lock but stronger lock does not mean better, modulation and power is what is needed for most other applications, HS-33s work better for Trials application, but for every other MTB discipline, be it cross country, freeride, downhill, dirt jumping, whatever you can think of but trials hydraulic discs are better because they provide better stopping power, better modulation and work better under heat from constant use which is a must in everything but trials not to mention they have a clear advantage over rim brakes when you factor in weather, out of true rims AND brake pad selection and wear.

HS-33s are great for trials because they lock the wheel so damn good, modulation is not needed in trials, just a darn good lock-up, since the brakes are not as used as much the pads never get as hot as on disc brake systems and you can make rim brakes grippier by making modifications to your rim like grinding it, so yes, HS-33s are godsends for trials and disc brakes are obviously not as good but not for other applications, in which case hydro discs work much much much better.

So yeah, I won't be caught dead with rim brakes on a XC, FR, DJ, DH, etc bike unless its a cost related issue but you'll definitely see me sporting some nice HS-33s in my Trials bike...

Yes exactly, I forgot to mention that, the only place where Magura HS-33 are ever seen as the brake of choice are trials because they do provide a stronger lock but stronger lock does not mean better, modulation and power is what is needed for most other applications, HS-33s work better for Trials application, but for every other MTB discipline, be it cross country, freeride, downhill, dirt jumping, whatever you can think of but trials hydraulic discs are better because they provide better stopping power, better modulation and work better under heat from constant use which is a must in everything but trials not to mention they have a clear advantage over rim brakes when you factor in weather, out of true rims AND brake pad selection and wear.

HS-33s are great for trials because they lock the wheel so damn good, modulation is not needed in trials, just a darn good lock-up, since the brakes are not as used as much the pads never get as hot as on disc brake systems and you can make rim brakes grippier by making modifications to your rim like grinding it, so yes, HS-33s are godsends for trials and disc brakes are obviously not as good but not for other applications, in which case hydro discs work much much much better.

So yeah, I won't be caught dead with rim brakes on a XC, FR, DJ, DH, etc bike unless its a cost related issue but you'll definitely see me sporting some nice HS-33s in my Trials bike...
Yes, I agree with this. But you shouldn't have been so vague before.

Yes, I run V-brakes in back (Deore LX), and disc up front (BB7). It was mostly due to fitting a rack on the frame. Now that I found affordable disc compatible racks, I might go back to rear discs.

DECENT rim brakes can be extreamly good, and in some cases better then poor disk brakes. The advantage to disc brakes for me isn't the power, you can get great power in rim brakes. Its the fact that your wheel can be bent and you can still ride your bike! Thats the best thing about a disc brake. Hydraullics have a better feel and modulation and greater stopping power, but whether you need them is another issue. Then again many people like discs for 'looks' aswell...nothing wrong with that either.

:)

Yes, I run V-brakes in back (Deore LX), and disc up front (BB7). It was mostly due to fitting a rack on the frame. Now that I found affordable disc compatible racks, I might go back to rear discs.


I ran this set up for a year or so also. For me it was all I needed and I use the front brake mostly anyway. I had no disc tabs on the frame and wasn't going to get a cludgy workaround.

I don't know where I first heard it, but it is referred to as 'The Mullet' braking system

I tried cable disk brakes on a few low end bikes, with the same force on a typical V brake setup used on the mech disk setup the v brake won... V brakes slowed me down buch faster, with the mexh disks i had to grab brake lever and grip too hard for any use full stoping power. But hydros (disks) CRAZY alot of stoping power with similar forces on the v brake setup...

Honestly, I've seen no reason to spend the money.

+1

I have a nice wheelset right now and it's not disc compatable. My v-brakes are working fine and I "need" other stuff before messing with brakes. If I ever wear out my wheels, I may go to discs but I'm not in a hurry. I love the feel of discs at the lever.

Once you enter that world you may never leave.....

If I had it my way, all my bikes would have them. I am now a dedicated Hydro girl..........

Does anyone prefer rim brakes over discs.

My take is that they each have their advantages/disadvantages, but i am leaning towards rim brakes because of their ease to adjust them and less maintenance, less costly to fix/replace if needed.

I choose to buy two Giant XTCs at the time because they still used rim brakes and I prefer simplicity in mechanical devices if possible.

Since riding a Kona with hydraulic disc brakes I can now feel much greater stopping power.

Anyway for other personal reasons my next bicycle will be a Kona and they use disc.

the ONLY reason i could justify rim brakes is a monetary one. this is completely respectable. notice i NEVER take stabs on this forum at people that own department store bikes or low quality forks, etc....

everyone else on here with other reasons are Cutting off their nose to spite their face. sad thing is, they don't even realize it. weight is not a reason. the lightest disc set-ups are very close.

oh...and to you trials riders (you know who you are), this is a mountain bike forum ;) some of us are well aware of Mag hs33 and their most useful purpose.

(you trials guys...don't take the above comment against you at all! i love trials and can't wait to get a trials bike one day soon i hope. the stuff they do is amazing:) ...but what works in trials doesn't mean some of the DHers, FRers, or XCers should start grinding their rims, drilling holes in their rims, tarring their rims, or retro fitting hs33's on their bikes :D i know you guys are already aware of this, so no need to yell at me.)

incidently, to those of you discussing water as fluid in your lines, there is a current thread going here regarding this very topic. www.observedtrials.net

http://www.observedtrials.net/vb/showthread.php?t=21205

No mx weight IS a factor. Its a factor becasue people do not have lots of money sitting around to get super light disc brakes! Stopping power is questionable, but the simplicity of v-brakes does appeal to some people.

In my opinion is mainly a cost factor, extreemly high end v-brakes, or mid end mechanical disc brakes.

And No, i'm not cutting off my nose ;).

No mx weight IS a factor. Its a factor becasue people do not have lots of money sitting around to get super light disc brakes! Stopping power is questionable, but the simplicity of v-brakes does appeal to some people.

In my opinion is mainly a cost factor, extreemly high end v-brakes, or mid end mechanical disc brakes.

And No, i'm not cutting off my nose ;).
than you agree with me. boils down to money! you just said what i said:D

obviously weight is not too bad or Lowcel wouldn't use them! :p

well, i must be a ****** then because my canti's are 10 times more of a pain in the a$$ to set-up than my discs ever were. they are dirty, a pain to try to get the toe-in right, a pain to get uniform and symetrical on both sides, make my rims all grimy....i could go on and on!


to top it off, all the ladies laugh at me as i coast by with rim brakes. they never point and giggle when i flaunt my Hopes

obviously weight is not too bad or Lowcel wouldn't use them! :p

Thats a solid point right there.

Thats a solid point right there.
hahahahha...i knew that would seal the deal!