Originally Posted by
grolby
Your opinion that disc brakes are no better than cantilevers or v-brakes is certainly valid (wrong, but valid
), but believing that people prefer discs merely because they are inexperienced is misguided. There are many very experienced and mechanically savvy people out there who have found they prefer disc brakes. They wouldn't have taken over in mountain biking if this were not the case. In my experience, mechanical discs are only marginally better brakes than good rim brakes under most circumstances, so I can understand the hesitation to embrace them. Hydraulics, on the other hand, are so superior as brakes, it amuses me that anyone even tries to argue otherwise.
To be fair, define "superior".
1) More braking power, agreed
2) Better modulation, it depends
3) Better brake "Feel", I don't think so but YMMV
4) Weight, typically not.
It's tough to argue they are superior when many of the top CX guys, including the current World Champ, are still using Cantis in the mud, sand, rain, snow etc. I prefer the feel of a well set-up Canti, not sure why, just do.
With that said, I run discs on most of my bikes, especially my MTB and CX. If I had a mechanic to dial in my ride after every race I may be back on Cantis.