Disc brakes worth it?
#51
Older than dirt
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,342
Likes: 2
From: Winchester, VA
Bikes: Too darn many.. latest count is 11
A good set of V-brakes is more than adequate.
If you ride through rain and mud. Then yes, disc brakes have an advantage. Actually I don't even know you need rear disc for a commuter. The front brakes handles most of the stopping. With a commuter that has rear discs, the rear rack choices are reduced significantly. Not to mention added weight.
If you ride through rain and mud. Then yes, disc brakes have an advantage. Actually I don't even know you need rear disc for a commuter. The front brakes handles most of the stopping. With a commuter that has rear discs, the rear rack choices are reduced significantly. Not to mention added weight.
Sorry, this is the type of response that I always expect from someone that's never owned them.
#52
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 15
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
The Road and CX forks are available with 1" steel threaded or threadless steerers, and the road fork is available with a 1" carbon steerer. (For the sake of completeness, all are available with an 1-1/8" carbon steerer.)
#53
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 6
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Wound-Up's carbon road, cyclcocross, and tandem forks are available with a disc brake option.
The Road and CX forks are available with 1" steel threaded or threadless steerers, and the road fork is available with a 1" carbon steerer. (For the sake of completeness, all are available with an 1-1/8" carbon steerer.)
The Road and CX forks are available with 1" steel threaded or threadless steerers, and the road fork is available with a 1" carbon steerer. (For the sake of completeness, all are available with an 1-1/8" carbon steerer.)
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
#54
Señior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Honestly, i don't care much one way or the other, my bike is totally fugly and I don't even wash it much so I don't care what it looks like. I run discs because they work better. They're far easier to adjust, require adjusting much less often, work better in all conditions (including ice and heavy rain), are cheaper to maintain (after you buy them) and they don't destroy rims.
I have rim brakes still on the back of my bike and the rim is a bit over a year old and it looks like I'll have to replace it before next winter, it's already over 1/2 worn through. My ride is over quite a bit of gravel road (either 4 of 11 miles or 10 of 14 miles, depending on my route) and if it's raining, the entire bike including the rims and brakes get encrusted with clay/sand mix which makes excellent abrasive. It doesn't bother the disc brakes at all.
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#55
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Yet disc brakes excel, and the rear rack choices aren't hindered on any of the numerous bikes that mount the caliper in the chainstay/seatstay area. Rest you just use a disc specific rack.
Sorry, this is the type of response that I always expect from someone that's never owned them.
Sorry, this is the type of response that I always expect from someone that's never owned them.
Regardless, I don't disagree with anything wunderkind posted. You make wunderkind's point in your own post. Yes, "numerous" bikes have better rack mounting options, but all the rest don't, including plenty of "commuter" models. Then you say to use disc-specific racks for the rest, which would reduce your rack choices, which is what wunderkind said. As far as V-brakes being adequate for commuting, this is obviously true, and not a "diss" on discs. Discs are great, and a well maintained set will outperform rim brakes in the worst conditions, and save wear on your rim. That doesn't make them the right choice for everyone.
#56
Actually,I think the rack and fender points are just straw man arguments. Just because a bike has rim brakes doesn't mean any rack or fenders will go on;I've read lots of posts from people having mounting issues.
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C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Brompton S6L/S2E-X/M6L-X/S12 T Line


C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Brompton S6L/S2E-X/M6L-X/S12 T Line

#57
Just my 2c - I have a Trek Valencia and a Specialized TriCross Comp. In my experience, the stopping power on the Valencia's disc brakes is noticeably better than the stopping power on the TriCross's canti brakes. I'd retrofit the TriCross with disc brakes if it was economically feasible. Honestly, when I switched to a more road-style bike for commuting, a lack of any options with disc brakes was one of the downsides.
#58
You can swap your canti's for V's if you install Problem Solver's pulleys. I did this to my old Fuji Cross Comp,and a friends wife has these on her Terry.
Also,if you want drop bars and discs,there is a pretty good selection out there. There's even a thread about it:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...&highlight=peg
Also,if you want drop bars and discs,there is a pretty good selection out there. There's even a thread about it:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...&highlight=peg
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C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Brompton S6L/S2E-X/M6L-X/S12 T Line


C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Brompton S6L/S2E-X/M6L-X/S12 T Line








