Originally Posted by
urbanknight
The bike is made up of mechanical devices. Some work better than others. As Stedalus said, a flimsy arm will affect it, as would the pivot point. It's just like car brakes. They are all strong enough to lock up the tires, but the better ones give you better precision, which in the end allows you to stop better (provided you know how to use them).
Most of that in cars/motorcycles comes from pads/rotors... There are also hydrolics involved, so a tad more complicated then road brakes.
Originally Posted by
Psimet2001
Yes - there are differences between brakes....just because one doesn't notice or understand doesn't mean those differences don't exist. Thinking along those lines we should all ride the same frame, components, wheels, etc.
Big difference in brake design is response - modulation - to weight. Some lightweight brakes lack modulation - so when you pull the brake they almost lock full on. Others allow so much modulation they seem telepathic and allow you to totally control everything going on. Flimsy arms make for squishy and not as responsive brakes.
Head into a crit corner at 30mph with 60 of your closest friends and watch the junior lock his brakes up....
Effective performance and racing is as much about proper braking as it is about conditioning. Ask any motorsports person and I am sure they feel the same about their sport.
I did say weight is one of the differences, but I don't believe it effects the performance. The response and modulation is more of a function of brake pads, and hand control. Although I admit never used super duper light weight after market brakes, so maybe you have a point there.
Yeah the junior should learn to use the brakes, then again some of the older gents could also benefit from it. From what I have seen in crits.
