Originally Posted by
Nigeyy
So I'm changing my stance on disc brakes a little -if you have a very hilly tour, go with discs, they are worth it! (though if you are on a relatively flat tour then traditional brake setups should be fine.)
I've toured in the Rockies and the Appalachians and found rim brakes quite adequate. I am convinced that technique is as much a factor as anything. I have descended many steep multi mile descents without the rims getting too hot to touch. I tend to apply the brakes fairly hard in bursts rather than continuously. If necessary I alternate between front and back brakes. Also if it gets too bad you can always stop to let them cool, although I have never needed to.