Originally Posted by joe@vwvortex

I've been running disc brakes on my MTB since the first Avid's became available - long before hydraulic discs were readily available on MTB's. I'd argue that maintenance on a cable pull is easier - and bleeding - especially with the long run on a tandem can be a PITA as the rear on a MTB can sometimes be finicky. Hydraulics are also not immune to pad drag either.

Are they stronger - possibly - but I've not tried them because I have no need to fix what ain't broke. When we eventually buy a new tandem - they'll come in to consideration. However - as it stands now - there are no triple options and that just kills it for us. With the type of places we ride, steep inclines etc. and the fact that we don't like big jumps in gearing - I'm not inclined to look at double cranksets for the tandem with wide spaced rear clusters. It doesn't suite our riding style and locale.