Originally Posted by
Happy Feet
I tend to agree with this.
I've had the opportunity to use hydro brakes on FS mtbs and there is a time and place when they are more helpful. Sometimes, descending a steep track I would think.. wish I could stop better. Or, on a long sustained section.. wish my hand wasn't cramping so much (especially in the winter when it numbs out the fingers).
But touring I don't have those thoughts with mechanical disc or even well set up canti's. At times I think other things like.. wish I had a lower gear or wish I were more aero but not that I could stop better. Mechanical seems to meet the thresh hold of acceptable performance that way.
For me, cable discs stop easily enough most of the time but once in a while require uncomfortable amount of grip. But upgrading to hydro is too expensive for something that is only going to help in rare situations so I'm sticking with cable disc for now. In the future though I think hydraulic brakes will become common on touring bikes, just like how cable discs have become standard.