rudi-h Posted March 20, 2016 Posted March 20, 2016 after 10 years of riding my raleigh RC3000 it's time for a new road bike. my bike buying philosophy is to save up until I can afford the bike that I really want, so i'm thinking of a mid-spec carbon bike with a 105 or similar groupset and a carbon wheelset (second hand wheelset is fine if it needs to be). hope that i can get all this for around R30k. at this expense i need something that will last me 10+ years problem is the brakes. I'm pretty sure that in 5 years from now hardly any new bikes will be sold with caliper brakes, so buying a road bike with caliper brakes now would be similar to buying a top end 26er marathon bike 5 years ago... I've been to cycle lab recently and didn't see any disc brake bikes on display. didn't have time to ask around, but i'm gathering that it's not readily available yet... My options the way I see it: 1) First prize is to find a bike shop that stocks or at least gives an option of disc brakes. any pointers? 2) Wait for 2 to 3 years for disc brakes to filter down through to mid spec bikes. 3) Buy a cyclocross bike but replace the wheelset with normal road wheels? How much difference is there between a good cyclocross frame and a road frame from a geometry / weight / aero-ness perspective?
StevieL Posted March 20, 2016 Posted March 20, 2016 problem is the brakes. I'm pretty sure that in 5 years from now hardly any new bikes will be sold with caliper brakesI wouldn't be too sure about that...My advice would be to forget about the disc brakes...
Frosty Posted March 20, 2016 Posted March 20, 2016 R30K can get you what you need/want, in 105. I have a 2015 105 groupset on my steel bike and those brakes are much better than my DA 7800 on the carbon bike. "Dual pivot points"
rudi-h Posted March 20, 2016 Author Posted March 20, 2016 I wouldn't be too sure about that...My advice would be to forget about the disc brakes... it's only a matter of time... the pro peleton will be changing to discs in 2017. cyclists buy what the pro's ride, that's just how it is.
J∆kk∆ls Posted March 20, 2016 Posted March 20, 2016 Yip 105 is the work horse of any groupset. Calipers are way less maintenance and don't get hung up on carbon wheels if you want something that is going to last 10years. Get a decent carbon frame with great aluminum wheels and you'll be styling.
andydude Posted March 20, 2016 Posted March 20, 2016 it's only a matter of time... the pro peleton will be changing to discs in 2017. cyclists buy what the pro's ride, that's just how it is.They will? Where did you read that? Honestly just curious.
2wieltjies Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 little bit off topic, but not set in stone one of the reviews was that the focus point this year will be disc brakes for road bikes. Check bicycle reviews or one of those channels. (UK channel on youtube) back on topic, my guess a new bike for 30k you should be ok for at least 7 years. Worst come to worst buy 5 sets of brake pads that should last 3 years or more
Patchelicious Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 I would wait until disks are the accepted norm before committing to them. This point is usually indicated by the manufacturers incorporating it into their more affordable ranges eg 105/Rival/Veloce etc. by then the tech is also refined and reliable. For R30k you could get a nice Carbon frame, with some good Carbon wheels (Darkhorse type stuff) with 105 and you will have a bike that is faster and better than most.
Cav' Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 The pro peloton may use them 2017, they're not forced to use them. 90% of the pro's are against riding with discs. So in essence, I would advise you to get a bike with normal brakes.
Clint. Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 Disc brakes are nice to have, but they not very popular at the moment. I don't see the point to put things on hold until disc brake technology filters down. Build your carbon bike without disks and enjoy every moment you get to ride it. You could always sell and upgrade your bike to disc brakes in the next few years if and when they become industry standard.
dev null Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 Disc brakes for a road bike that are just twice the weight of current rim brakes will be stupidly expensive. Forget about seeing them anytime soon on your middle of the line consumer road bikes. It just do not make any sense at the moment for Joe Soap. You must remember that a road bike can move at a much higher speed downhill than a MTB, and the materials technology to handle the heat generated and be super light at the same time, will be out of the wallet reach for most consumers. I just can't see such a disc brake system to cost less than 20k. It is different for cyclo-cross, that is why for those bikes it is a viable option.
lechatnoir Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 a few things I've learned about riding a road bike with discs... Braking is better than calipers. Modulation is better, but on my bike I need to keep pads and discs in tip top shape and I feel the braking through the frame. a LOT! But it doesn't last long because I'm stopping faster. But, is it necessary? no, it's not. a well set up caliper system will stop plenty well if used properly. The other issue is wheels... You can't put a set of road wheels on... Brakes will need to be discs. Rear spacing will need to be right for your frame - mine's 135mm, but the new 'standard' is said to be thru axle, 142mm. But that's ok, you can fit a set of 29er wheels. Just make sure you get the right widths and you'll be fine. And yes, there are awesome ones. The other thing I like about a disc bike is the lines... no messy calipers getting in the way. and that could be the main reason i ride it...
eccc whippet Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 Technology will change a lot in 10 years...unless you are planning on doing a little off road...why would you want disc brakes?
Eugene Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 Disc brakes haven't really caught on. Only a hand full of manufactures have put discs on their high end racers and i have yet to see one on the road. I doubt they are going to be mainstream any time soon. There are selected events that allow disc brakes in 2016, would be interested to see which these are and which pro teams actually opt to use them. I suppose next year will be the acid test. If the pro teams use them, then more individuals may buy. My personal opinion is that pure race bikes are about low weight and aerodynamics. Disc brakes mess with both of those. There is also talk that the 6.8kg weight limit is falling away, manufacturers will be even more interested in dropping weights. Discs won't be conducive for this.
Brickleberry Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 I too would skip the disk brakes. I have ultegra 6700 and have never lacked braking power. If fact if you hit my front brake too hard you will still crap yourself. I would take my 30k online and have a look at swifts offerings , you will get a well specked attack 105 for about 22 and have change to buy some nicer wheels.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.