Road Cycling - using disk brakes

Hi,

I am about to buy a MTB with disk brakes, and although I cycle mostly on the road, we have extremely wet weather conditions here.

I have heard some people say that you have to learn to use disk brakes properly.

What do you really need to learn ?
How much different are they than regular V brakes ?

Justen

What's to learn? The main things that are different in the use of discs vs. V-brakes (that are relevant to the types riding you've been talking about) are:[list=1]
You'll actually stop in wet weather
You'll have a LOT more braking power at your disposal
A GOOD set of disc brakes won't fade anywhere near as quickly as a set of V's
[/list=1]
So basically you'll just need to get used to your brakes working better across a larger spectrum of conditions. In fact, some companies are now starting to spec them on road bikes. Mainly touring for now but one can hope. :D These suckers are getting lighter and more advanced all the time.
My next commuter? http://www.giantbicycles.com/images/_upload_us/bikes/models/zooms/2003/OCR_Touring.jpg http://www.giantbicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?lYear=2003&bikesection=8830&range=138&model=10658

Hi Raiyn,

That is a really cool looking bike !! Are those Hayes disk brakes I see ?
As for disk brakes, I am glad that I decided to go with them instead of just going with another bike with V Brakes. I didn't have any trouble using them on this demo bike but then they weren't really broken in yet. I really like the idea of being able to stop better in wet weather given that we get so much of it here. I guess after the brakes are more broken in, and get more powerful, that I will just have to modulate my braking a little more.

Recently, I have had to adjust my v brakes quite frequently as the rims are wearing out badly and I am going through brake pads like crazy. Can't wait to get my new bike !!

Justen

There is nothing to learn. You squezze the lever and you stop.

However there are differences in desings on brakes. Some hydraulic and some mechanical.

Mechanical uses a cable to pull while hydraulic uses 'liquid' to push the pads in.

Also serviceability on some models is easier than others. So look into that.

Xavier,

That's what I thought but some people were saying, oh..you have to learn how to use them ?
Like how complicated can it be ??!!

Justen

I'll teach you.Pull the lever and stop.How was that?LOL

Well as a shop owner I would warn people. Only because I am in the spot of being sued by not warning people.

Disc brakes do tend to have more power over other brakes.

So if someone was to go over the bars and hurt themselves I can be sued for not disclosing information. Stupid but it can happen.

Similar cases have happened. Like not telling people you need lights to see at night. As a shop we have to tell all buyers thatbuy a bike that they need light to see at night. May seem stupid but we can be at fault for not informing buyers.

It wasn't me who said they were complicated.
I am not sure what these other people were saying when they said disk brakes were hard to use ???

Justen

The ONLY things that come to mind are:

1. The modulation with disc brakes -- particularly hydraulic -- is far more precise than with linear-pull, canti or calipers. You'll quickly learn to adapt to this improvement and precise braking control in virtually all conditions (wet, muddy, dusty, etc).

2. If you grab a handful of brake lever with new disc brakes they will stop the wheel rotation A LOT faster than your rim brakes (remember your first front brake induced endo?). If the disc pads have been worn-in the braking force is even more dramatic as disc brake pads need to be broken in before they perform at their optimum design levels.

3. It is possible to overheat disc brake rotors and calipers but, let's face it, if you rode rim brakes that way they'd fade and then become trashed too.

Setting them up is more work than normal brakes. Especially some models like the Hayes that take a bit longer to bleed.

Just read instructions and if not sure, have a shop bleed them and check them.

Worse is to have the brakes fade and no stoping power.

I am assuming that this is what these people were saying. Re: Disk brakes having more power than v brakes and therefore, you have to get used to them but I am pretty sure I can handle them :-)

I understand that bike store owners have to do the CYA thing with people being so lawsuit happy these days too but some people are just too stupid to be alive. i.e. The people suing MacDonalds because they didn't realize they would get fat if they ate there every day and that nobody told them that MacDonalds food was high in fat - DUH !! Anyway, that is different story altogether.

Justen

Xavier,
Since my disk brakes are mechanical, there won't be any bleeding happening - unless of course I do send myself over the handlebars :-)

I am hoping they do not require much maintenance because I don't want to spend alot of time hassling with these brakes. With average use (i.e. cycling on roads everyday for about 20 K's a day) how much maintenance would they require ? I don't have to clean them after going out in heavy rain do I ? (unless of course they are like horribly dirty).

Justen

Mechanicals thus far as getting better and better. Once set up with nice cable tension you are good to go. Just make sure pads are aligned correctly. Very easy to do with the new mechanical brakes out there.

Just make sure rotors are free of oils and such that may not allow proper braking.

In other words - Common Sense! ;)

You know I ride in all tyopes of weather, And the only time i ever wished for a better brake was during an ice storm. (HEY BUT GOTA SAY THEY SURE LOOK COOL)

I've had my Hayes for about 6 months now. After initial set-up, I haven't touched them. I did have to straighten out a slightly warped rotor that got dinged when I took my wheel off and it fell over. Nothing bad, just a slight rubbing. I straightened it and it's fine!

L8R

I am so sick of having to get my brake cables adjusted and replacing the brake pads etc etc.
Plus, they stop like crap in the rain.

I am so looking forward to the disk brakes after what everybody here has said - Low maintenance, low hassle factor, work great and look cool too !

Justen

Originally posted by Justen
Hi Raiyn,

That is a really cool looking bike !! Are those Hayes disk brakes I see ?
...snip....

Justen Actually they're Avid mechanical disc (road version). Avid, in my ever-so-humble opinion, makes the best mechanical disc brake out there.
Cleaning? only if they get oily