#1
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Disk brakes?
I am looking at getting a MTB at around the Deore LX level. Many bikes at
this level use disk brakes. A number of years ago the general consensus seemed to be that these where heavier, more complicated, put extra strain on wheels, and did not work as well as cantilevers except in very muddy conditions. Has this changed to any degree since? Sticky |
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#2
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Disk brakes?
I am looking at getting a MTB at around the Deore LX level. Many bikes at this level use disk brakes. A number of years ago the general consensus seemed to be that these where heavier, more complicated, put extra strain on wheels, and did not work as well as cantilevers except in very muddy conditions. Has this changed to any degree since? Sticky Not really. However (I love that word!), the extra weight is small, the extra complication relates mainly to the vulnerability of the disk to bending or warping. Modulation is generally better with rim brakes unless you go with hydraulic actuation, but that adds a little extra vulnerability because its more difficult to attempt a repair in a remote location. A small consideration, really. Removing the wheel can provide the opportunity for screwing up the pads if the brake lever is pulled, resulting in overextension of the pads. The extra strain on wheels is by and large a red herring. If the extra torque is a problem, then the wheel is marginal for riding anyway. A hub brake does preclude the radial spoking that some owners find cool. A disk brake does eliminate a major source of wear on the rim, and doesn't heat the rim, tire and tube. Excessive heat can be a problem in some situations. -- Ted Bennett |
#3
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Disk brakes?
Ted Bennett wrote:
I am looking at getting a MTB at around the Deore LX level. Many bikes at this level use disk brakes. A number of years ago the general consensus seemed to be that these where heavier, more complicated, put extra strain on wheels, and did not work as well as cantilevers except in very muddy conditions. Has this changed to any degree since? Sticky Not really. However (I love that word!), the extra weight is small, the extra complication relates mainly to the vulnerability of the disk to bending or warping. Modulation is generally better with rim brakes unless you go with hydraulic actuation, but that adds a little extra vulnerability because its more difficult to attempt a repair in a remote location. A small consideration, really. Removing the wheel can provide the opportunity for screwing up the pads if the brake lever is pulled, resulting in overextension of the pads. The extra strain on wheels is by and large a red herring. If the extra torque is a problem, then the wheel is marginal for riding anyway. A hub brake does preclude the radial spoking that some owners find cool. A disk brake does eliminate a major source of wear on the rim, and doesn't heat the rim, tire and tube. Excessive heat can be a problem in some situations. I was a retro grouch too but having gone to disc brakes I'm a total convert. No noise, no worn rims, no problems and they WORK! Best thing I ever did. I use Shimano XT. Friday |
#4
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Disk brakes?
On Jan 26, 10:56 am, Sticky Wicket wrote: I am looking at getting a MTB at around the Deore LX level. Many bikes at this level use disk brakes. A number of years ago the general consensus seemed to be that these where heavier, more complicated, put extra strain on wheels, and did not work as well as cantilevers except in very muddy conditions. Has this changed to any degree since? Sticky Nope..LX level Vbrakes are better than their discs. If ya gotta have discs, get hydraulic..which has it's own set of 'issues'. |
#5
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Disk brakes?
"Sticky Wicket" wrote in message ... I am looking at getting a MTB at around the Deore LX level. Many bikes at this level use disk brakes. A number of years ago the general consensus seemed to be that these where heavier, more complicated, put extra strain on wheels, and did not work as well as cantilevers except in very muddy conditions. Has this changed to any degree since? Sticky There was a long discussion about how a boutique alloy skewer is not strong enough to counter the massive downward force a disc brake causes on the front wheel, potentially causing the front wheel to fall off the fork ends. Whether or not it's true, it did contribute to my already retro-grouchy dislike for disk brakes. It's a shame that suspension fork nowadays (and mtb frames) don't even come with brake studs. There is a reason I haven't bought a mountain frame or fork newer than '04. V's have a plenty of stopping power for me. |
#6
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Disk brakes?
On Fri, 26 Jan 2007 19:18:26 +0000, Ted Bennett wrote:
I am looking at getting a MTB at around the Deore LX level. Many bikes at this level use disk brakes. A number of years ago the general consensus seemed to be that these where heavier, more complicated, put extra strain on wheels, and did not work as well as cantilevers except in very muddy conditions. Has this changed to any degree since? Sticky Not really. However (I love that word!), the extra weight is small, the extra complication relates mainly to the vulnerability of the disk to bending or warping. Modulation is generally better with rim brakes unless you go with hydraulic actuation, but that adds a little extra vulnerability because its more difficult to attempt a repair in a remote location. A small consideration, really. Removing the wheel can provide the opportunity for screwing up the pads if the brake lever is pulled, resulting in overextension of the pads. The extra strain on wheels is by and large a red herring. If the extra torque is a problem, then the wheel is marginal for riding anyway. A hub brake does preclude the radial spoking that some owners find cool. A disk brake does eliminate a major source of wear on the rim, and doesn't heat the rim, tire and tube. Excessive heat can be a problem in some situations. I put Avid BB7 Mechanical Disks on my Rockhopper and haven't regretted it. I get a little brake squeel once in a while but that doesn't affect their stopping power which I feel is superior to rim brakes especially in wet weather. From what I've been told the BB7's modulate as well as hydraulic disks. I'll have an opinion on that soon as the bike I have on layaway is equipped with Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic disks. and changing brake pads is a lot easier than on rim brakes. One other small plus is not having to wipe your rims down after each ride. If you ride in wet and/or muddy conditions discs are the way to go. I'll never use rim brakes on my mountain bike(s) again. |
#7
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Disk brakes?
Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 wrote:
There was a long discussion about how a boutique alloy skewer is not strong enough to counter the massive downward force a disc brake causes on the front wheel, potentially causing the front wheel to fall off the fork ends. Whether or not it's true, it did contribute to my already retro-grouchy dislike for disk brakes. Not true, at least on most US-market bikes. The reason is the "lawyer lips" that are designed to keep the front wheel attached even if the QR is flipped open. 15 years ago I could flip the front QR and the wheel would fall right out the drops--but now, aside from the "laywer lips", a couple bikes I've bought have arrived with the fork blades spayed outwards a few mm--making inadvertent disconnection even more unlikely. You have to flip open the QR and then you still have to fight the fork blades to unscrew the QR for a bit. --I'm not certain US needed both these "features" but we are getting them anyway. :\ I haven't tried a big disk on a MTB [hard-use] fork however; disk brakes came along just as I was losing interest in hardcore MTB riding. Back then a disk brake was a $500 custom-shop gadget that would only mount to a $700 Manitou fork.... ~ |
#8
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Disk brakes?
"Sticky Wicket" wrote in message ... I am looking at getting a MTB at around the Deore LX level. Many bikes at this level use disk brakes. A number of years ago the general consensus seemed to be that these where heavier, more complicated, put extra strain on wheels, and did not work as well as cantilevers except in very muddy conditions. Has this changed to any degree since? Sticky Plus points for discs (principally hydraulics): No rim wear work in wet/mud don't eat pads in a single wet ride better modulation than Vs less/no adjustment as pads wear no 'cable' adjustments (open systems) potentially fewer problems if you buckle a wheel possibly easier routing for rear brake on full-suspension frames Plus points for Vs: cheaper lighter no nasty hydraulic fluids Possibly simpler to fix in the field (I can't actually remember the last time I had to do major brake surgery in the field though) Here in the UK (it rains) discs are very popular. Plenty of shops doing a good trade in converting bikes from V to disc. Hope seem to be doing very nicely! Skippy E&OE |
#9
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Disk brakes?
Sticky Wicket wrote:
I am looking at getting a MTB at around the Deore LX level. Many bikes at this level use disk brakes. A number of years ago the general consensus seemed to be that these where heavier, more complicated, put extra strain on wheels, and did not work as well as cantilevers except in very muddy conditions. Has this changed to any degree since? Sticky stop listening to retrogrouches and try them. if you're not prepared to put up with better braking, better wear in the wet, better bent wheel tolerance, better performance in the wet and [with hydraulics] better modulation, then yes, cantilevers are for you. |
#10
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Disk brakes?
On Sat, 27 Jan 2007 06:50:53 -0600, DougC wrote:
Not true, at least on most US-market bikes. The reason is the "lawyer lips" that are designed to keep the front wheel attached even if the QR is flipped open. Is there a Specification for the lawyer lips in the USA? The UK, and I think ISO, Spec reads: "9.4.4.2 Wheel retention with open quick-release With the quick-release mechanism fully open and the brake system disconnected or released, the wheel shall not detach from the fork when a force of 100N is applied to the wheel radially outwards and in line with the drop out slots." To save you reaching for your calculator, 100N is 22.5lbf, or less than the weight of most bikes. So the lawyer lips are not intended to hold against the weight of the bike, let alone the forces created by braking. Mike |
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