While I agree that disk brakes are not absolutely necessary... They sure are nice to have. In fact for me I wouldn't even consider buying a bike without disk brakes, make that hydraulic disk brakes, but that could be just me... I've had mine for 12+ years, never ever needed to adjust or fix them in any way, changed brake pads 2X in the over 30,000KMs I used them, and the difference in consistency for stopping wet or dry is unbeatable compared to other types, no contest for modulating and power applied compared to effort with any other type of brakes...