CompleteStreets

My current bike has V-brakes. I'm content with their stopping power, and I like that the pads are relatively inexpensive to replace. However, I wore through the rim of the rear wheel requiring me to purchase a new wheel after just 7,000 miles of riding.

I live in Portland, OR where the roads are wet for several months out of the year. With all the moisture and grit that gets on the rims, the brake pads wear out fairly quickly. Occasionally I do clean the rims, but I'm kind of lazy and forgetful about this tbh.

My main concerns about disc brakes are:

1. How often do they have to be serviced (replacement of parts as well as any adjustments)?
2. Is servicing expensive? How much can I expect to pay on maintenance per year? (4,000 miles/year)
3. Will I be able to do the servicing myself?
4. How likely is it that they will squeal as I brake?

Mobile 155

1: The servicing on my MTB isn't much more often than when I had rim brakes. But I don't live where it is wet and my rims don't get as much abrasion as yours do. If you have hydraulic brakes they only need bleeding if there is a problem otherwise I have them checked once a year. Only because where I service my bike has carpet.
2: Once again I have only had my brakes serviced once and I got a complete tune up at the same time. Cost me about 35 bucks.
3: Yes you can service them yourself. Park Tool has a great site to read about doing it. The internet has a lot of video sites to show you how it is done.
4: they more than likely will squeal at times. Like a car the pads can glaze.

Kiridmi

Here are my 2 cents:
1. If we are speaking about hydraulic brakes, then bleeding the system should be necessary only if the system gets damaged (the air gets inside). Otherwise bleeding the brakes shouldn't be a procedure you do often, some people have used their brakes for 3 or 5 years without the need to bleed them. As for replacement parts - rotors and brake pads, well it depends on how much you brake.
2. Can't say anything about the prices in your location. Where I live bleeding costs €10 per brake, pads cost ~€6 and rotors can cost from €7 per disc for Shimano Acera to €47 per disc for Shimano XTR.
3. Yes you can service them yourself. You need a bleed kit and the brake liquid specific for the model of your brakes. If you are going to have Shimano Centerlock hubs you will need a cassette tool to install the discs.
4. They squeal when the rotors or pads are dirty, there are special cleaning agents and a lot of videos on YouTube on how to fix it.

Maelochs

I'd say you are in the perfect environment to benefit most from discs.

rydabent

Disc brakes dont wear out the rims. If a rim breaks from wear you are on foot. They dont over heat rims and tires on long steep down hills. Rims for bikes with disc brakes can be made more aero, stronger, and lighter. They give better braking in the wet. Whats not to like.

Leebo

Mechanical disc brakes are very easy to maintain, easy as rim brake pads to change. Mine last 1-2 years depending on miles and seasons used. Got a bike that can take discs?

idiotekniQues

This.

Oh and I had entry level shimano mechanical discs on my first hybrid and now Avid BB7 Mechanicals on my 2nd hybrid. Both sets would always start rubbing so I am saving to upgrade to Deore XT Hydraulics. If you ride a lot I'd go with good quality Hydraulics - they modulate better. too.

Scooty Puff Jr

You should check out the TRP Spykes, they are fantastic mechanical type brakes, I'd say they're as efficient as hydros when used with compression-less cables, and much easier to maintain too. Nothing against hydros, but mechanical brakes are getting much better, just my 2¢

Hypno Toad

1. How often do they have to be serviced (replacement of parts as well as any adjustments)? - I get 4,000 miles with pads, and I use my bikes in some extreme conditions.
2. Is servicing expensive? How much can I expect to pay on maintenance per year? (4,000 miles/year) - I typically do my own service, or the LBS takes care of it when I'm in for bigger projects.
3. Will I be able to do the servicing myself? - Yes.
4. How likely is it that they will squeal as I brake? - Don't touch the rotors with your hands and clean the rotors with rubbing alcohol when they squeal.

I've had three bikes with mechanical disc brakes (10 years and over 25,000 miles with these bikes). I like them for MTBs and bikes that I use in adverse conditions (rain, snow, ice, gravel, ...).

IMHO, disc brakes are great for bikes used in harsh conditions; however, for typical road riding, I use rim brakes and I'm very happy.

idiotekniQues

I'll take a look at those. My lbs told me a couple mechanicals to check out which are excellent. I think one was the name Paul components. Brakes called the Klamper. It was the same price as a pair of deore xt hydraulics ($180) so tentatively decided to go with those so far.

mongol777

Paul's stuff is usually top notch but Klampers are new product. I did not see any in depth/long term reviews yet. Check mtbr forums as well - someone likely already used them in real life conditions
And are you sure they are 179 for the pair? I thought it is for one caliper and no rotor. Xt hydros will come with levers and you will need levers for Klampers (or can use your existing ones)

idiotekniQues

oh you are right, it's $179 per caliper. ouch

way out of my price range. I can get xt front and rear for $88 each (Amazon via Bike Nashbar or direct from JensonUSA) and then 2 XT rotors for $50 or 2 XT ice-tech rotors for $60. I do prefer the simplicity of mechanicals in case something goes wrong while riding - although the feel of hydraulics are super nice.

I primarily ride my whip in new york city so am never too far from a bike shop or a subway line to get to one in case anything falls apart brake-wise. My LBS owner does love mechanicals but he did say the newer Deore hydraulic brakes are super reliable. Said they use a fraction of the mineral oil the older ones used to use so have far less issues.

CompleteStreets

I've read through everyone's comments. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Very informative.

idiotekniQues

Just ordered the XT brakes. I'll order the rotors next week and then report back on the difference between them and my current BB7 Mechanicals

Robert C

For commuting I started with steel rims --- in the rain it was just plain scary.

I then replaced the rims with aluminum --- that was a lot better.

I then got a commuting bike with disc brakes --- now I can rely on the brakes to actually stop the bike, pretty much the same, in nearly all conditions.

TenSpeedV2

Huge question that seems to have been overlooked so far.

Will the frame/fork/wheel accept a disc brake?

LaughingLots

Reading comprehension is key. And your question is ridiculous.

"Considering getting a bike with disc brakes"

MuddyBikeRider

I have disc brakes. I love them. I could never go back to V.

NicoleJS

unless you were stopping with only the rear brakes, AND the shoes were worn down to the steel, there's literally no way the drum-in-hub was worn out in 7000miles. Sounds like an unscrupulous, (or worse, incompetent) mechanic misdiagnosed.
You don't say anything about the bike you'e riding, or the bike you're considering... or what a "V-brake" is. So it's going to be pretty hard to answer your questions.

fietsbob

Portland has 100 bike shops go to some .. , make up your mind , yourself.

LaughingLots

He doesn't have a drum-in-hub. He has v-brakes.

If you don't even know what a v-brake is then you're one of the last folks that he should pay attention too.