Originally Posted by
Athens80
It won't matter if neither system stops the bike and rider before colliding with the bike and rider four inches in front.
With the same system, each rider knows what the limits are of that system. But with different systems, different limitations.
With the example you keep citing, the disc brake rider now thinks he can get by with 2 or 3 inches instead of 4. Maybe he can. But the rider behind him on the rim brakes still needs at least 4. So every time that disc rider hits the brakes, he has another rider in his jersey with him.