I have a few minutes spare so I'll chime in. Old bike (stolen, alas) had rim (v-) brakes. Highish-end setup: XTR cables, Avid adjustable levers, TRP CX-9 brakes. New bike (replacement) has highish-end disc brakes: XT 8100 flat-mount calipers/XT 8100 levers, ice-tech (?) rotors.
Rider profile: old man (now 72) w/arthritic hands (which are getting worse). I'm slow, and not 'competitive' in any sense, but have decent endurance. Always ride alone, now mainly on paved surfaces (used to mountain bike; not any more). Just 'like to ride' ... a lot, both 'out in the country' and in the city. Typical longer ride is 50 to 70 kms.
Brakes? Both perfectly adequate for the riding I do. Had no trouble at all 'maintaining' v-brakes; have no trouble at all 'maintaining' disc brakes. Changed the pads a few times on the v-brakes; changed the cables twice iirc. Cleaned the brake track on wheels periodically. I've changed (renewed) the disc brake pads once (no problem at all), and occasionally clean the calipers/rotors -- again, easy-peasy. Don't think I'd tackle a brake bleed if one became necessary, but that's because I'm mechanically inept.
V-brakes were fine in the rain (pads cleared the brake tracks pretty quickly); disc brakes maybe noticeably a bit better in the rain, but not much in it in my experience.
Biggest difference,
for me (which is all that matters)? The disc brakes require less 'hand pressure.' Over time, and specifically e.g. on long descents, this adds up for an arthritic geezer; my hands don't get as sore.
That's about it. Would I still be riding Old Bike if it hadn't been stolen (
) ... probably. Hypothetically, would I have deliberately discarded Old Bike for New Bike because disc brakes? Don't think so. Am I happy with New Bike? Absolutely. Why did I buy one with disc brakes? Because at the 'level' I wanted that is the new normal, and I'm perfectly fine with that.
No idea how representative my experience is here on teh Biek Formz, but I would call myself a 'dedicated recreational cyclist.'
Old Bike:
New Bike:
