Nope. Single pivot sidepull brakes work just fine.

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...psodky5juk.jpg

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps7lvggphg.jpg

Brakes are important for those that want to go slow.

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps3temx8g2.jpg

I think at least some of the issue is what you are accustomed to using. Dual-pivot, linear pull, and disk brakes can be more powerful, but I've never had a problem with single-pivot side-pulls (I have plenty in use here, from Campagnolo, Gran Compe, Zeus, even some old stamped steel Raleigh side-pulls). But if you've become accustomed to the lower hand effort needed with modern brakes, the extra effort vintage side-pulls need can be disconcerting. But rest assured, they do work fine, else none of us would have lived to reproduce. :)

anyone whos riden a bike with steel rims will find any braking system adequate tbh. I grew up with steel rims, rode cheap bikes etc. Now I run alloy rims and my single pivot sidepulls feel really strong.

When my wheels need to be replaced I may consider disc. As others said I have never had issue with side brakes. They are easy to maintain, very simple. I don't like riding in the rain so I don't see much advantage to disc. If TdF pros managed to climb mountains, descend mountains, ride in rain and snow w/o disc past 100 years, I think I can do it also on my leisurely fun rides. Probably get disc when shimano stops making cantilevers.

These days even budget mtbs have hydro disc brakes. Im convinced the trend will carry over to road. Even Tiagra has a hydro option now. The road crowd is however very conservative and Im sure side pull will be around for the next 50 years anyway :-)

I was told bikes with disc brakes cannot be stored upside down, hanging from hooks in a garage. Was a non-starter for me...side pull was the way to go.

I have a pair with Kool Stops & they will stop on a dime, & flip you over the bars. I get the feeling though you'd say Crampys speed adjusters are far superior though...

I think some cyclists are like me, don't see a reason to switch. The single pull or dual pivot pull brakes are effective. I know if I want to brake hard enough and flip over the bars, I can, they are quite powerful. Maybe if I was descending a lot of mountains I could consider it? Maybe if I was a competitive racer and wanted every edge I could, I would? As someone who doesn't want to bring his bike to any bikeshop, I really like the old standards. BSA english threaded BB for example, so easy to install, easy to regrease, never any issue with creaking etc. The brakes, so easy to replace pads, clean, lube etc. It's just so damn easy and they work.

I also really like the simplicity of a bike. Same as the way I like mechanical watches. So much of my life revolves around equipment that has a chip, bluetooth, wifi etc. I rather like keeping my bike gears, pivots and steel cables, nothing more. No hydraulics, brake pads, batteries, encrypted wireless system, etc etc.

It's not that I don't think the latest bikes with eTap and hydraulic disc aren't cool, they seem to have lost some of the charm of a simple mechanical machine using human power. Probably why even though I have no plans to ever buy a steel bike, but steel bikes seem most true to a simple machine. They are just awesome.

If I had 4 hands I'd give you 4 thumbs up. But for now 👍🏻👍🏻

No bicycle technology is EVER obsolete. It just fades from favor, then bides its time until some company's marketing department decides that it's the "latest new thing!"

(see also, press fit bottom brackets. Obsolete in the 30's. Latest new thing, decades later.)

Perhaps the ONLY obsolete bike technology that I haven't seen resurrected in my lifetime is wood rims. Everything else? What once was old (or obsolete) will eventually be new again.

Whoever told you that was wrong .

I have two bikes with hydraulic discs. I'll never buy another sidepull bike again. YMMV.

Agreed. Why would anyone. It's like a step backwards.

You know what I hate about rim brakes? How they make wet rides so messy!

If I lived in the mountains, I'd be on discs for my main roadie for sure at this point.

As it is for me, living in rolling terrain and rolling with alloy rims, rim brakes are fine enough, although discs would make removing and installing the big tire-d wheels on my gravel bike a lot easier.

Discs are sweet.

Hydro-disc.

S**t sounds cool!

This! :thumb:

Guess again!

Cerchio Ghisallo Wood Rims - Wheelbuilder.com

Within the next 5 years, this will be the new norm...

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...mp-disc/106300

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...isc-di2/106251

Synapse Carbon Cannondale Bicycles

Domane S 6 Disc | Trek Bikes

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/sh...defy-advanced/

I stand corrected.

There is nothing new under the sun. And no bike technology is EVER rendered obsolete. It just sits in somebody's desk drawer, waiting to be rediscovered as the "latest new thing."

I agree 100% :thumb:

This company is betting that rim brakes won't become obsolete any time soon.

TRP

Of course they are hedging their bet:

TRP

http://www.trpbrakes.com/ppic/8kook0zre9171u0.jpg
Indeed!

Looks familiar:

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SBjN-XfIB...600/deltas.png

When are downtube shifters making a comeback?

You can buy them on at least two 2017 Bianchi models. Granted, they are intended to be retro-look models, but brand new downtube shifters are at your dealer now!