Originally Posted by
waterrockets
More powerful brakes would mean more accurate braking pressure control. If you think about what it takes to get your rear tire to skid on a road bike (when you're in the saddle), it's a fair bit of brake lever force. So, how do you go just 5% less force and prevent the lockup? Well, it's a lot tougher when you're pulling so hard to get the right finger pressure. If it requires less pressure, you can more accurately select braking force, maximizing stopping power w/out locking up.
Also, w/out calipers, there's less flex in the braking system, so you end up with a more normal progression as you reach maximum force. So, the lever travel more closely follows braking pressure, which makes it easier to control.
are we really attempting to justify disc brakes by touting a slightly more accurate braking modulation? look, i understand that there may be some slight increase in precision in dry condtions. i think that it is VERY slight. no matter which system you chose, you are going to have to find that 5% limit somewhere. whatever the slight improvement, my bet is that more people end up locking the wheels because they have access to more brake power and people tend to grab a ton of brake in an emergency situation, no matter the modulation.
i think one of the side effects of being as detailed obsessed as cyclists are is that we often seek solutions for which there is no problem. out of every crit i have ever done, how many of them has braking been an issue - zero. mountain bike or cyclocross - yeah, there are braking issues there even with disc brakes.