Originally Posted by
3speed
I know you said the LHT doesn't fit your intended riding style, but personally, if I were buying a new touring bike, LHT or something else, I would go with disk brakes. No question. I know the old styles of brakes have been around forever and they do stop a bike, but ride some disks if you haven't before and you'll see that they are a huge improvement. There is a reason lots of touring bikes are showing up with them now. I only own my current touring bike(91' Trek) because I got the frame for cheap and it was cheaper for me to build up than buy new, but I'd swap to a disk fork in a second if I knew of one with the unlikely combination of requirements it would need(1" with mid-fork braze-ons).
The reason disc brakes are showing up on touring bikes is people are convinced new is better and that they need more stopping power, i.e. the companies are looking to sell you an upgrade you don't need. Disc brakes are over rated, I've never wanted for stopping power with decent cantilevers that are dialed in right, and I'm a big Clyde who can't pack lightly to save his life. Even on an heavily loaded bike while touring, descending, I've got enough braking power. Disc brakes on tourers is adding a weight penalty for no real benefit.