Disc Brakes Needed?

[Grun]

Are disc brakes needed for an electric bike?

[Zeuser]

No. But this depends on the weight of the system. My Bionx is so light it doesn't really need disc brakes, even though I do have disc brakes on mine.

[Grun]

No. But this depends on the weight of the system. My Bionx is so light it doesn't really need disc brakes, even though I do have disc brakes on mine.

Good idea. I will get disc brakes then. Thanks.

[Lowell_]

After you get used to riding hydraulic discs, you'll wonder how you ever used crappy rim brakes for so long...

[HalfLifeT1]

I also have to agree. I have a bike with mechanical disk brakes and i like it alot better then v brakes.

[Garandman]

We're easing up to it with our project (48V dual speed rear hub motor). We're putting the bike together first on an old Giant mountain frame with no suspension and standard brakes. That's because we wanted to show the bike at an event in early September.

Once we get it assembled (this week!) and do some testing, we'll look at retrofitting a front suspension and especially, a front disc brake.

[JeanCoutu]

I've recently gotten to ride around a Norco w/disks front & rear, a buddy dropped it off at my place so I could fix up his wheels and other stuff, it has Hayes MX, mechanical disks. Just from riding it shortly in the streets, these things suck compared to V's w/Kool Stop pads, they have less power and modulation is worse. Shame on Hayes for having ever sold such craptacular gimmicky brakes, I get the impression their sole purpose is to add bling.

Morality: Type of brake says nothing about if they're gonna be good.

[Lowell_]

Skip the mechanical cable junk. If you're going to have discs, may as well use hydraulics.

http://mtbr.com/reviews/disc_brake_system/index_byrating.shtml

Hayes MX get very average reviews.

[pengyou]

I am guessing that disk brakes will be more reliable in wet weather because the disk is going to be out of the water during rain - at least hopefully! Rims are constantly immersed in water so likely to affect stopping performance.

[Lowell_]

I am guessing that disk brakes will be more reliable in wet weather because the disk is going to be out of the water during rain - at least hopefully! Rims are constantly immersed in water so likely to affect stopping performance.

Not only that, but replacing worn out rims due to the pads grinding through the walls gets pretty tiresome. So while entry level mechanical discs may not stop as well as the best V brakes with good pads, they won't eat through the rim, and will stop in the rain.

[karma]

After you get used to riding hydraulic discs, you'll wonder how you ever used crappy rim brakes for so long...


i cant stop with rim brakes safely:) i do love mine. im also amazed how hot thay get