Winter Cycling - Fed up with rim brakes (rear)

This winter I really had to decide what to do regarding my winter bikes, with regards to rear brakes. If there's water (from rain or melting snow/ice) I get a whole lot of crap onto the rear rim. The problem is, I have to ride through dirt/gravel on my commutes. And the fine dirt covers the rim, and then the dirt and water gets under the brake (a little is enough) and presto, my rear rim is covered with dark grey (almost) black mass composed of sad dirt, water and tiny aluminium shavings. And that's when the stopping power starts to get bad.

Solution: thoroughly clean the rim after EVERY ride.

Consequence: me being royally pissed off after a while. F*ck this ****, I had enough!!

So I put a wheel with a Shimano Nexave hub (not a gear hub, just normal cassette freehub) which can be fitted with a Nexave rollerbrake. And a small Nexave rollerbrake (has a very small cooling disc, just to try it). This is the cheapest rollerbrake you can get - not sure if Shimano even makes them anymore, all the ones you can buy nowadays have much larger discs.

Anyway, the thing simply rocks. NO MORE cleaning the rim, no more cleaning the brakepads (oh yeah, before anyone asks: Koolstop salmon), no more buying new pads, no more rim wear, no more weakening of stopping power. And no more dirty black grime on the rim.

I'm replacing the second winter bike's wheel today.

Hmmm, that sounds like a great idea! My commuter has a disc front, but no rear disc brake mount, and I'm sick of the excessive rim and pad wear. I didn't know there were roller brake cassette hubs.

Hmmm, that sounds like a great idea! My commuter has a disc front, but no rear disc brake mount, and I'm sick of the excessive rim and pad wear. I didn't know there were roller brake cassette hubs.

Yeah, I was a bit surprised when I learned, too. Here are some models:
http://www.thecyclepeople.com/productdetails.asp?id=1617
http://www.ultimatepursuits.co.uk/products/details.aspx?ref=14224&pRef=32837&vertical=1&v=


I do have a disc hub wheel as well, but I equally detest the difficulties I had every time I inserted my wheel, to have it aligned correctly so the disc brakepads don't touch or are not too far from the disc. And they are a bit too attractive for thieves. The rollerbrake is much less conspicuous and it even makes stealing the rear wheel more difficult.
Sadly, the nexave-splined rear hubs are getting hard to acquire. Will buy at least one more, to store away.

This is the kind of rollerbrake I am going to install:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-Nexus-Multi-Rear-Rollerbrake-Internal-Hub-Brake_W0QQitemZ300196248524QQihZ020QQcategoryZ27949QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p16 38.m122#ebayphotohosting

What's the cable pull for the roller brake? Same as V-brakes?

Yes, in fact, I think you can do with much less even. I never have to pull more than halfways to get total blockage. Maybe it's how I set it up (a bit tight), but I believe a lever with less pull (road?) would be sufficient. V-brake levers will give you plenty.

You use your rear brake ?

Yes, in fact, I think you can do with much less even. I never have to pull more than halfways to get total blockage. Maybe it's how I set it up (a bit tight), but I believe a lever with less pull (road?) would be sufficient. V-brake levers will give you plenty.

For the bike I would use it on, I have levers that pull cable enough for V-brakes. Dia-Compe 287-V.

You use your rear brake ?

Much more than the front brake, in the winter. On some hills when they are frozen, the front brake is unsafe at any speed. I am answering in good faith that you are not a troll. Otherwise, maybe I should have just ignored you?

For the bike I would use it on, I have levers that pull cable enough for V-brakes. Dia-Compe 287-V.

Uh-huh, the Dia-Compe 287 V are going to work like a charm! They are on my must-buy list, by the way.

Much more than the front brake, in the winter. On some hills when they are frozen, the front brake is unsafe at any speed. I am answering in good faith that you are not a troll. Otherwise, maybe I should have just ignored you?

No not a troll. My winters dont involve much snow, just cold rain. As such i rarely use my back brake. I forget that others dont have quite the same conditions :)

Sand or gravel on a smooth road surface will be as hazardous as ice, if not more so, and that can be found even when it's a hundred degrees out!

I recently put some Eagle Claws on the front. What a difference. I'm going to get a pair for the rear next. I first saw those on Sheldon Browns website concerning brake pads.

I use my coaster brake. But have koolstop salmons up front, and I do clean my front rim once I get home.