Cyclocross - disc brake frame?

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View Full Version : disc brake frame?


PoorBiker
10-05-10, 04:32 PM
I am shopping for a new CX Bike, is it a good idea to get a bike that is disc brake ready, because I read regulation will start to allow it, would more CX bikes come out with disc brake frames starting next year?
the reason I am asking, I don't want to get something that would be obsolete because of the disc brake tabs missing. As for practical use, I plan on using the bike off road and also in wet conditions so I am interested in disc brakes.


Andy_K
10-05-10, 05:19 PM
For racing purposes, I don't know if disc brakes will become important. You rarely need that much braking power, and even when you do the traction of your tires is usually more of a limiter than the power of canti brakes. The modulation of disc brakes is nice. The down side is that everything gets heavier when you switch to disc brakes (hubs, fork, frame, brakes).

mr.smith.pdx
10-06-10, 12:51 PM
As a Clydesdale, I would argue with Andy about how much braking power you really need. The advantage to a lot of breaking power is that you can go full speed longer, crush the brakes, turn, then get up and power out of a turn. Also, if you go down a steep hill, are 220 lbs, and need to turn at teh bottom, big braking power would be a plus. I have a 2005 Fuji Cross pro (with the ridiculous electric blue paint and weird yellow hook-like highlights) that has disc brake tabs. Unfortunately, it has 130mm rear dropouts, and based on the scarcity of 130mm spaced disc hubs, I haven't gotten around to switching to a disc brake. It would also mean I would have no set of backup wheels and no help in the neutral pit that we have here at the Cross Crusade.

To the OP: I think if you are worried about obsolescence...Don't be. There will be cantilever brakes on cross bikes for a long time. (just my opinion)