I'm running mechanical disc brakes for the first time this winter, and I am 100% sold. To prevent excessive moisture from getting in, I am using full-length brake cable housing for both front and rear, with inline barrel adjusters to take up the slack from cable stretch. I have no problems with sticking whatsoever, and I haven't done anything to it since I installed everything in the fall, other than adjusting the cable tension twice. Our temperature range has been from -30C to +20C during that time, with everything from mini dust storms to major snowfall and lots of salt on the roads. I'm going to put Avid BB7s on my wife's bike over the summer so she has better stopping power next winter.