kato12

I bought a new bike,a tarmac pro disc,and was wondering whats everyones thoughts on disc brakes,good and bad,first time owning a bike with them,thanks

Willbird

I think they are fine really.

They add weight, but they usually bring 32 spoke wheels with them. Wheel lateral truing might matter more with rim brakes than disks.

They limit your aftermarket wheel selection presently (not nearly as many choices), but that will change. First new bike in decades was 2014 Fuji Sportif 1.5 which has them, was not seeking them but it was in stock at LBS, second new bike is Cannondale Evo...does not have them, and that is fine too.

Bill

TrojanHorse

If you are buying your first bike, they're fine. If you already have a bike(s), now you have another standard to worry about and limited interchangeability of parts / wheels etc.

They're ugly too, IMO.

Velocivixen

I'm a vintage bike chic, but like to have modern too. Just bought a modern bike, first one with disc brakes. Awesomeness so far.

rkg64

I hope to like them as they're coming on our Giant Defy and Liv Avail bikes.

jimc101

If you look back at MTB history, were in a similar position to them in deployment of discs as they were back in about 1999/2000, back then MTB's were just stating to get discs as standard, within a few years all of them did, apart from the the low end; having seen the photos from Eurobike 2015, suspect that by 2020 rim brakes will be rare to non-existant below Ultegra, and possibly 105 level with hydraulic, and mechanical below.

Good choice in bike.

Rotten

I have used every type and close to every brand of bicycle brake over time. Even a set of roller cam brakes on a (for its time) top of the line mountain bike. Which leads me to say that disc brakes are awesome!

For my weight of 275# discs were a welcome safety factor enhancement. It is not difficult to keep them adjusted and working properly and truthfully I find it easier to keep my disc equipped bikes brakes adjusted properly than any type of rim brakes. I only use manual discs on my personal bikes but even the good hydraulics aren't that hard to keep tuned. There are plenty of how to videos to walk you through maintenance, just study up a little ahead of time to familiarize yourself with them incase you encounter any issues while out enjoying your awesome new ride.

Giant Fuji

I like the ones on my MTB. My road bikes still sport the old brakes, but I don't ride in the rain if I can help it.

Jarrett2

Did you buy this one?

Specialized Bicycle Components

Looks like it comes with a fine set of disc brakes. Did the sales person not mention them?

volosong

I just purchased a new frame that is disc capable. I wanted it for the additional stopping power, especially on lengthy descents where I've become 'chicken' in my old age and afraid of heat/fade with rim brakes. The only concern I have is that I won't be able to adjust and maintain them easily.

DrIsotope

I love my disc brakes. They're easy to adjust, quiet, and are not affected by out of true wheels. My personal belief is that the quality of the rotor is the most important part of any disc setup-- because my ICE Techs are flawless in all conditions (never faded them once) and though expensive, are worth every penny.

rideorglide

On my MTB I have only had to had them serviced once in years -- when the disc brake on the front seized up over winter.

I don't like the idea of maintenance out of my skill set, but I would not hesitate to buy disc brakes on a cyclocross bike if I was to buy one. Or even a new road bike. I love the stopping power -- of course on a road bike stopping power is one thing, skidding is entirely another thing. You have the extreme stopping power but you need to be aware of how much of that power you can use in a given set of road conditions, sandy, wet, gravelly, etc. and we get a lot of sand on our roads around here, being near the coast.

chaadster

I've had discs on my 700c commuter for ten years now, and wonder what all the fuss is about, because they're rockin' bombproof. And nowadays, when you can easily have an 18lb disc equipped roadie, I don't see there being any real downside left to complain about. I mean if you gotta have the absolute lightest ride, yeah, skip 'em, but if you want awesome breaking that's virtually maintenance free and clean (esp. If you ride in the wet), well there you go. Want great breaking with all carbon rims? Bam! Disc brakes.

jsigone

They are great!! If you group ride allot keep in mind that everyone else stops slower than you so be careful. Enjoy the new bike

Joe Minton

Hydraulic disc brakes are better in practice. They 'feel' better in use. They are usually more powerful and easier to modulate. They require less maintenance and are simpler to maintain to boot; they adjust themselves. One only has to learn how to change pads, otherwise, they are almost maintenance-free. They're gonna win, just as disc brakes have with cars and motorcycles --- we bikers are just late to the party.

Joe

kato12

Jarrett2,i bought the one with the UDI2 in the orange color,thanks for all the responses back.

gjhsu

Practically, they are wonderful. Stop great, feel great. But if you use quick releases with them..... they are pretty frustrating when you need to remove your wheel and remount, as that can mean extra minutes spent making sure they don't rub.

A lot of the newer disc bikes are coming with through-axles that are supposed to really help with that, though.

sdmc530

They are great stops you fast better in elements too

andrewbp

GCN's video is what sold me on disc brakes since they stopped I think an avg of 12ft shorter and no fade in heat or wet conditions, which florida has both of.

bassjones

Most of the opposition amounts to traditionalists opposing new technology. Hydrolics are better than mechanical discs and even with mechanical discs, stepping up in quality makes setup and adjustment easier. The new CAAD12 disc models are actually lighter than the rim brake models too, so weight isn't even a real concern anymore.

StephenH

kato, I've got about 46,000 miles on my Raleigh Sojourn, about 22,000 miles on my CoMotion Primera, both have disc brakes. I've read about two dozen threads about disc brakes versus rim brakes. After all this, I can't think of any really good reason to use them or to avoid them. There's advantages, there's disadvantages, people have positive and negative experiences with both, and it just all turns into a Ford-vs-Chevy type of argument. If you've got 'em, ride 'em and feel good about it, if you don't, don't feel compelled to rush right out and buy them either.

Willbird

Frame/fork weight is lighter on caad12 disk vs caad12 rim, but the complete disk bike is heavier, around a pound according to a thread in the 41, and could be 1/2 lb of that is rotatating weight too.

Bill

Willbird

More like 2.25 lbs on the Ultegra

dr_lha

I don't have them and have never used them. However I ride with two guys who recently converted to them, one on a $8500 S-Works Roubaix, and they both regret getting them, which I found interesting.

indyfabz

Too bad this thread wasn't started in the Road forum. The entertainment value would have been priceless.