Hydro disc brakes and cold weather
09-27-06, 09:55 AM
#1
No one carries the DogBoy
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Hydro disc brakes and cold weather
When I think hydro I think oil. When I think oil and cold I think sludge. Does anyone have any experience with cold rides (-5 to 5 F, -20 to -15 C) and hydro brakes? I'm wondering if they get sticky or have other difficulties or if its just fine.
I'm contemplating a bike purchase and one option is mechanical disc brakes, the other hydraulic.
I'm contemplating a bike purchase and one option is mechanical disc brakes, the other hydraulic.
09-27-06, 10:27 AM
#2
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My olde Hayes with DOT brake fluid felt the same as in the summer... at least as much as I could tell with thick gloves on. The avids with mineral oil seemed a bit more vague-feeling, but that could have been in my head. Lots of stopping power. I haven't had the XTs (also mineral oil) out below freezing yet.
09-27-06, 11:05 AM
#3
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My Avid juicy's with DOT fluid work fine all winter long. it rarely gets below 10 degrees f here though. i haven't had a problem with mechanicals either though.
09-27-06, 11:50 AM
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No problem. I have ridden -20 C and the brakes work wonderfully. They do tend to squeak more in the cold weather.
Hockey
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09-27-06, 06:25 PM
#7
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I used to believe that hydraulics would be a bad idea in cold weather. I've been informed since then that both mineral oil and DOT fluid experience very little viscosity change in wintry conditions. DOT might be a little bit better, but the hydros may actually be more reliable than cables, which are prone to sticking and freezing.
