Fully loaded 18% grade downhill thrill!
05-13-09, 04:49 PM
#26
eternalvoyage
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I've gone down steep grades on winding roads at night in the rain, with heavy loads, with a car coming up the hill and blinding me with the headlights and reflections off the wet road. The rims brakes I was using did not perform adequately at speed in these situations.
At first, I became enthusiastic about what seemed like a great solution for future situations like this -- powerful disc brakes.
Now, other solutions seem more promising.
One aspect is the fact that there is no need to do this. I have no need to ride down steep grades at night, at speed, in the rain. If I ended up in that situation (rare), I would just slow down or, if necessary, walk it (this would not be necessary, even with so-so rim brakes and good pads, if speed were kept low).
Another aspect is that ceramic rims can help.
Another is the fact that some rim brakes perform much better than others.
And then there are these: https://www.comcycle-usa.com/ProductInfo.aspx?id=4362599
https://www.magura.com/en/products/ri...d/hs-33-1.html
They are heavier than most rim brakes, but they could be mounted on the front wheel only.
Someone who had them on his bike said that they had great feel, modulation, and power.
The idea and mechanism are basically the same as hydraulic discs, but the rotor is much larger. They may have even greater power than most disc brakes.
Combined with ceramic rims, these brakes seems like they could make for a great system.
They would probably be easier on the hands than other rim brakes.
Then again, most of us do not run into that problem very often; and there are other solutions to it -- besides discs -- as well.
At first, I became enthusiastic about what seemed like a great solution for future situations like this -- powerful disc brakes.
Now, other solutions seem more promising.
One aspect is the fact that there is no need to do this. I have no need to ride down steep grades at night, at speed, in the rain. If I ended up in that situation (rare), I would just slow down or, if necessary, walk it (this would not be necessary, even with so-so rim brakes and good pads, if speed were kept low).
Another aspect is that ceramic rims can help.
Another is the fact that some rim brakes perform much better than others.
And then there are these: https://www.comcycle-usa.com/ProductInfo.aspx?id=4362599
https://www.magura.com/en/products/ri...d/hs-33-1.html
They are heavier than most rim brakes, but they could be mounted on the front wheel only.
Someone who had them on his bike said that they had great feel, modulation, and power.
The idea and mechanism are basically the same as hydraulic discs, but the rotor is much larger. They may have even greater power than most disc brakes.
Combined with ceramic rims, these brakes seems like they could make for a great system.
They would probably be easier on the hands than other rim brakes.
Then again, most of us do not run into that problem very often; and there are other solutions to it -- besides discs -- as well.
Last edited by Niles H.; 05-13-09 at 05:46 PM.
05-13-09, 06:16 PM
#27
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Nice pics.
I lost my mountain bike V-brakes on a wet clay trail once. Took out my (and everyone else that I was riding with) breaks about 3/4 through. Like sand paper. Ended up looking for the smallest tree I could to crash in to to break my fall. Lesson learned.
I lost my mountain bike V-brakes on a wet clay trail once. Took out my (and everyone else that I was riding with) breaks about 3/4 through. Like sand paper. Ended up looking for the smallest tree I could to crash in to to break my fall. Lesson learned.
05-14-09, 03:14 PM
#28
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Bikes: LeMond Buenos Aires, Trek 7500, Scattante CFR, Burley Hudson
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Niles,
I like your thoughts on this issue. I have experienced much shallower descents than 18% that put a cramp in my arms keeping my speed under control (sand covered switchbacks). Although power disc brakes might have more stopping power, I am not ready to switch to such a complicated system.
I like your thoughts on this issue. I have experienced much shallower descents than 18% that put a cramp in my arms keeping my speed under control (sand covered switchbacks). Although power disc brakes might have more stopping power, I am not ready to switch to such a complicated system.
