Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Hi everyone, need quick input on a new project.

Hi guys,

this wont take long and i appreciate your time and input.

I am a young product design engineer and have been giving a specific project at university to design a new braking system for a performance bike. I know this may sound vague how ever i would appreciate your input. i would like to know what types of brakes you use, and what type of cycling you do mountain , road etc and most importantly any problems or things you like or dont like (to do with price, or performance, or any other reasons) what brand brakes you use to would be helpful

i appreciate your input, although this is vague its just to carry out some primary research from you guys who know your bikes more than anyone else and can provide me with some valuable opinions.

many thanks

You should design a search system. That's what this site really needs don't you think?

Shouldn't someone who knows something about BICYCLES be assigned this task? Brake systems are a vital componant, not a "product" to be designed. This approach to design is flawed from the get-go IMO

It's a good idea to have a student sort this out in the space of one semester. I don't think any companies have fully staffed R&D departments working on this problem.

every component on a bicycle is a product which has been specifically designed, the person who developed/designed the product might not necessarily love bicycles just might have a sound engineering/design background , i dont pick what we are tasked to do but i thought i would get some helpful information as part of some primary research on here.

every component on a bicycle is a product which has been specifically designed, the person who developed/designed the product might not necessarily love bicycles just might have a sound engineering/design background , i dont pick what we are tasked to do but i thought i would see if I can get someone else to do the work for me.

PRIMARY research is getting on a bicycle. Not asking strangers what they do.

How about an anchor? When you want to stop, throw it overboard.

so far i am disappointed at this forum and the members and input within this thread, i was hoping for some help not arrogance. Can i have just have genuine sincere feedback. i am open of my lack of knowledge of bicycle brakes brands, pros and cons , there for require opinions of those who have

You should learn everything you can about current brake systems, by doing research. Once you have a solid foundation to build on, come up with a few initial design ideas. Come back here and ask for opinions at that point and you will probably get better feedback.

The whole " hey guys, do my assignment for me on this forum so I can take the easy way out" approach is how this comes across and that is probably why you're getting an 'arrogant' response. It's not supposed to work that way.

There's tons of reviews online of current products on the market, maybe start there

thank you for you input .i am not adopting a "easy way out option" i will be under going this as a year long project starting from research all the way through to conceptual designs to physical prototyping and manufacturing. i have done research however would like to gather first hand research from potential customers,users (yourself) of existing products you have used.it is more evidence i have gathered information from users...

++ I've got my own homework to do. Asking a bunch of dudes on the internet ain't the same thing.

lol, and why the ssfg forum? and not the mechanics forum? Did you try there?

arrogance aside, youre gonna find that a lot (maybe most) people in this forum dont use brakes

We can't stop, nor do we want to.

*sigh*

Here you go: http://sheldonbrown.com/brakes/index.html

You know, you probably would have gotten nicer and more useful answers if it had looked like you'd done some ground studies first, gone with some more specific questions.
As it is, anyone going for something real helpful is facing a massive write-up.

And to top it all, improving bikes are real difficult. If it isn't UCI rules limiting development, it's the sheer maturity of the technology making it difficult.
Basically every current brake system is powerful enough to throw the rider over the bars, if properly maintained and and adjusted.
In terms of sheer power, the brakes aren't the limiting factor, the rider is. Get your positioning wrong, and physics and anatomy will send you tumbling long before the brakes come up short.

I dunno really.

Drop bar shifter/brake levers that are compatible with hydraulic discs would be neat. If they also could take cross/interrupter levers it'd be a great commuter/touring setup.
All the stopping power one could ever use, needing only a finger or two. Great modularity as well. That would tempt me, if the price was right.
Maybe a bike-ABS, if the price is right, and it's posible to get it simple and rugged enough. Reduce front braking at rear wheel becoming airborne, or front locking up. But it'd have to be just as unobtrusive on the bike as the ABS is in the car.
Right now what'd tempt me the most is a complete speed-swap system.
I'd like to have ONE bike, with several wheelsets. Ideally the wheels should sit on stub axles, one side exposed. It should allow the swap between wheel sets w/o any further adjustment needed on either brakes or shifters.

dabac, thank you for your words. it is these "want" opinions i would be looking for in order to develop something with reasonable price and performance.

Are you trying to come up with something new? I think the topic of brakes is pretty exhausted.

Hi guys,

I'm a young guy who does stuff and I've been commissioned by someone else to do something. I know this sounds crazy, but call me maybe? I would like to know what kind of things you do and most importantly what type of things you dont do (hobbies, activities, tap dancing, eating competitions or other stuff) what things you like to use (or not use) while doing (or not doing) these things would be helpful

I hope you will do all the research for me so all I need to do is write it all down and take the credit.

many thanks ha

Just had lunch.
http://i.imgur.com/Dq1yG.jpg

Can't find a decent cheesesteak in this ****ing town.

Can't find a decent cheesesteak in this ****ing town.

You see that bad boy? 6 bucks. came with a cup of soup too.

amazing. The sqrl's sandwich(also in the picture) was $4.50. I love that place.

Name of restaurant? In san fran?

Nick's Family Restaurant
San Leandro

Open 24hrs.

Have used the following braking systems in 40+ years of bicycling:
Center pulls; sidepulls; U-brake; V-brakes (with and without enhancers); disc brakes (both hydraulic and cable activated); cantilevers and coaster brake.
Suggest you get on bikes and try/test many brake systems; see what you can do to change/improve on them.
New brake system??
Next may/could be electronically activated brakes (like electronically activated shifters from Mavic, Shimano and Campagnolo).
Good luck!
Pedal on!
Rudy/zonatandem

P.S.!
Also add drum brakes.
All brakes I've listed worked very well if properly set-up/adjusted.
Pedal on!
Rudy/zonatandem

Maybe a bike-ABS, if the price is right, and it's posible to get it simple and rugged enough.

Done and done:





http://www.cambriabike.com/images/product/large/shim_power_modulator.jpg

A bionic foot that tedshreds the **** out of your front wheel and sends you OTB.

Invent it.

Hi guys,

this wont take long and i appreciate your time and input.

I am a young product design engineer and have been giving a specific project at university to design a new braking system for a performance bike. I know this may sound vague how ever i would appreciate your input. i would like to know what types of brakes you use, and what type of cycling you do mountain , road etc and most importantly any problems or things you like or dont like (to do with price, or performance, or any other reasons) what brand brakes you use to would be helpful

i appreciate your input, although this is vague its just to carry out some primary research from you guys who know your bikes more than anyone else and can provide me with some valuable opinions.

many thanks

This is an insanely vague question.

One of the biggest hurdle in braking these days is all carbon rims delaminating on big descents.

Figure out how to make a hydraulic line brake converter for cable brakes (STIs/brifters) that isn't the size of a VHS tape and you might have a novel product.

Figure out how to make a hydraulic line brake converter for cable brakes (STIs/brifters) that isn't the size of a VHS tape and you might have a novel product.

And keep us posted.

Most modern braking sytems are capable of exceeding the traction available to the tires (road and mountain). The carbon rim delam enquiry is a dead end, because, it's a matter of months before disc brakes will be the primary road braking system.

The current impediment to road disc brakes is the lack of hydraulic brifters. I'm sure Shimano and SRam are feaverishly working on this as we speak. That would be the most likely area for you to design something that would have relavence and actual marketability.

But, posting this in the ssfg forum was pretty daft. Unless, of course, you're just having a nice little troll.

Have used the following braking systems in 40+ years of bicycling:
Center pulls; sidepulls; U-brake; V-brakes (with and without enhancers); disc brakes (both hydraulic and cable activated); cantilevers and coaster brake.
Suggest you get on bikes and try/test many brake systems; see what you can do to change/improve on them.
New brake system??
Next may/could be electronically activated brakes (like electronically activated shifters from Mavic, Shimano and Campagnolo).
Good luck!
Pedal on!
Rudy/zonatandem


have used the following brake system in the last 2 years:

my legs