Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Auzeville-Tolosane, Midi-Pyrénées
Bikes: Redline Carbon Conquest Team, Colnago X-Lite (Wrecked, Stripped, Wal-Arted), Ibis Hakkalugi (STOLEN!!!), Bianchi Imola, Bianchi San Jose, Soma DC DC
I usually always ride my cantis with disc wheels sans discs. I built my wheels with CK/WI hubs on regular Mavic Open Pro rims. They are the standard road rim with a brake track. One disc wheelset is very versatile. I've even had the front on my 29er with a 203mm disc and it's still as true as the day it was built.
But recently I built a road tubeless wheelset, and I've spent a lot more time with those on the bike.
In my opinion the cantis are better than the discs, because of available options. And more so, for serviceability. I went on a couple 500km weekend tours this past Summer, and both times, in very remote locations, I had serious mechanicals. Hopped a razor shop piece of fallen granite on a sketchy fire road downhill, caught 2mm of the rock, didn't even hit the frame, and severed the rear hydraulic line beyond repair. That was 40 miles to a bike shop for a very generous late Saturday fix. The next time another rider came across, very Freddily unaware, and destroyed two spokes. I luckily had one spoke, and even with 27 of 28 spokes, the disc had a lot of play and was just terrible. That was a Sunday. Tried to make it but wheel went out of true and was useless after an hour of easy riding.
But these are all stupid anecdotes from my life. But that's my opinion, cantis first, but discs are much better, look cool, and play like a video game. Cantis practical. Discs awesome.
Also, don't dissuade yourself from going back and forth between disc and canti. But keep in mind there are only some frames with that provision.