Your next road bike: disc or caliper brake

['Dale]

FYI. Look' ????

 

[GLuvsMtb]

https://www.specialized.com/za/en/bikes/road/roubaix-comp/115635

My next road bike. Are the disc brakes and shock thingies gimmicks? Probably. But if you believe that your ride is more comfortable and faster, then it probably will be. The purists may frown upon such an excessive purchase given the rest of the spec, but for some reason I am quite attracted to this beauty. Ps, what does the purists think of SPD's and 700x33's?

[dave303e]

Nope

Not necessary

Unless I trained in the Pyrenees in the heart of winter

 

Caliper for the win

 

Disk brakes have calipers as well, so calipers for the win means nothing in this context.

 

Personally having ridden only cable discs and normal rim brakes on road bikes. In my opinion due to better reliability in the wet, it is an easy choice and considering how few disc brake injuries have happened in mtb them being 'dangerous' is null and void. The lack of ball ended levers is more dangerous...

[Paul Ruinaard]

https://www.specialized.com/za/en/bikes/road/roubaix-comp/115635

My next road bike. Are the disc brakes and shock thingies gimmicks? Probably. But if you believe that your ride is more comfortable and faster, then it probably will be. The purists may frown upon such an excessive purchase given the rest of the spec, but for some reason I am quite attracted to this beauty. Ps, what does the purists think of SPD's and 700x33's?

Hmm,

 

So I was going to start a separate thread about the new Roubaix. I borrowed a demo version of this from the Cedar Concept store this last weekend and did about 100 kms on it around the cradle.

 

It was the Ultegra specced one with cable shifters and hydraulic discs and had the hard cartridge in the front shock.

 

Disclaimer: And I am 52 years old (53 in January) and not exactly a race snake (more of a Clydesdale/Percheron). I have an older Roubaix Expert as well, and my Colnago C40 (although the Roubaix is my wife's bike now) so i have some things to compare against. I am a more leisure oriented rider than racer TBH. Mostly 50 to 70 kms in the Cradle twice every weekend and some races. I raced road bikes seriously about 10 to 15 years ago though.

 

But believe me I think this bike is a game changer. This bike is truly a new paradigm and an indication of things to come.

 

Its not the discs or the smoothness that was so apparent. They are nice, and yes the bike is very smooth over broken tar - just like a  silky smooth ride. And no you don't notice any bobbing at all. It just gets on with its stuff. i did notice I was less stiff and sore after 50kms compared to my Colnago C40 (which is very stiff).

 

So a tick for fatigue reduction.  Also a tick for smoothness and comfort - it's a bit higher in the front and its a really comfortable ride - your back isnt too flat. If you want that (and I do).

 

But one thing stood out about it.  its the handling.

 

There have been some articles about it already, but its true. As you now have suspension, the wheels stick like dog poo to a blanket even over rough chattery corners. And that means higher corner speeds and a bike that literally feels like it's glued to the tar, that asks to be thrown around and that inspires confidence in the rider. It handles very neutral, it's not skittish and quick to turn, it just sits very stable and gets on with things. 

 

And if there is one thing that  leads to smile factor it's a bike that does this (at least for me). I was coming in to corners really fast to test it, and it just felt completely solid.

 

Now couple that with the discs and you have a package that can brake better than any rim braked bike and carry much higher corner speed, because it has suspension. This is a light bulb moment on road bikes. The first pseudo suspension road bike that doesn't rob you of power - and its really amazing. It must be a bit like the first crude suspension on early motorbikes - there was no going back (look at MTB).

 

Its also different to the Trek  Domane in that it has vertical compliance not horizontal (which in suspension terms in the holy grail)

 

Even the 25mm tires were able to run at about 7,5 to 8 bar as the suspension is now not in the bigger tires, so no need for 28mm or lower pressures. So less rolling resistance and weight if that worries you.

 

And it accelerates quickly - short sprint efforts were no problem.

 

Its like the one Tread article where the guys observed that South African MTBers are crazy to ride the hard core race oriented XC machines they do - and about 80% of the fields would have a better day if they had a longer travel, slacker bike under them (like the Specialized Epic vs Camber debate).  This bike is the same. 80% of the folks out there should ditch their super rigid carbon road machines for something like this - and they will go a lot faster and also feel a lot better. Its that simple.

 

So no you dont need the discs (I have said that somewhere else on this string) and you can ride any road bike with rim brakes forever, it will do the job.

 

But this bike really does change the landscape going forward.

 

Go and test one - you will be in the order queue as well.

 

PS - I reckon Cannondale are dusting off their old Headshock round about now...

[jcza]

2 questions:

 

How much does it weigh?

How much does it cost?

[Jewbacca]

Guys are still looking at the braking power and not the actual benefits when it comes to rim design and tire behavior.

 

Wider rims without a braking surface. Also making tubeless road tires easier to deal with as there is no heat in the rim to mess with the sealant.

 

The benefits of a disc roadie done properly (wide rims, clearance, tubeless etc) are far more than just the braking power.

 

Do I think it's worth it or necessary? No.... But then neither are 3/4 of the 160mm trail bikes guys are riding (and pushing) down fairly basic trails. 

 

The argument is 'it's more comfortable and makes me enjoy it more'....

 

So surely the same could be said for this topic? The wheel setup would make the ride more comfortable, with brilliant grip, great rolling resistance etc..... 

 

Dunno.... I still ride steel hardtails everywhere but the benefits of the disc roadie for the average rider seem pretty good, provided you are in the market for a new bike and not just buying one 'because'

[BeegMig]

My next bike : Delta's please

[Barend de Arend]

Disk brakes have calipers as well, so calipers for the win means nothing in this context.

 

Rim brakes are technically disc brakes.  Your rim is a 622mm disc.

 

Yes, they're cable actuated disc brakes.  There are only a few hydraulic options available.

[Barend de Arend]

Would you consider buying a road frame with disc brakes?

Would the extra weight associated with disc swing your vote to a caliper brake frame?

Is it better to wait till the UCI finalizes its decision on the use of disc brakes?

The market is really pushing hard with bike manufacturers launching more and more disc frame models and Shimano leading the way with road discbrake groupsets becoming more popular.

 

What do you use your road bike for?  Racing in tight bunches or commuting in bad weather?  Do you have spare wheels?

 

So let's break it down to the risks and benefits:

• Discs usually perform better (or at least, more consistent) in wet and muddy weather.  This is because the brake surface is further from the road.
• Rim brakes perform better in contaminated conditions.  They're much more forgiving of diesel contamination.  (rubber pads)
• Disc brakes modulate better (this is actually true of hydraulics, but hydraulic rim is scarce as hen's teeth.)
• Rim brakes are much more forgiving for mis-aligned wheels (spare wheels, race wheel swap, ...)
• Rim brakes on aluminium rims have better heat dissipation, since the rim is basically a 622mm disc.  This means they're better for long, fast descents.  Road bikes will do >100 km/h on mountain descents, and the energy required to stop goes up with the square of the speed.
• Disc brakes on carbon rims are much more predictable, since carbon struggles with heat dissipation, and behaves vastly worse in wet weather.
• Any brake is only as good as the tyre traction.  Take this in consideration when using road wheels with 700x23 or 700x25 tyres.  It's not a 2.5 inch wide MTB wheel.
• Disc brakes will still be aligned with a broken spoke, so your brakes won't rub.
• Rim brakes won't collapse your wheel with a broken spoke (disc brakes transmit brake power through the spokes, so a broken spoke weakens the brake; probably only an issue on weight-weenie wheels.)
• Rim brakes are much easier to service.

 

Some of these will apply to you, and some of these will be more or less important depending on your racing and riding habits.

 

Unless, of course, you're rich enough, and you'll buy one of each.

 

Contrary to popular belief disc brakes do not stop you quicker.  If they did, the manufacturers would have published some data on this.  It's easy to test, and disc brakes on cycling wheels have been around for more than a decade.  It would also make their sales easier.

 

Me, I'll skip the early adopter stage, and wait a bit longer.

[carbon29er]

Would you consider buying a road frame with disc brakes?

Would the extra weight associated with disc swing your vote to a caliper brake frame?

Is it better to wait till the UCI finalizes its decision on the use of disc brakes?

The market is really pushing hard with bike manufacturers launching more and more disc frame models and Shimano leading the way with road discbrake groupsets becoming more popular.

All the experts and the others with their wrong opinions had their say here: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/159298-open-letter-by-vents-regarding-disc-brakes-graphic-photos/

[carbon29er]

Contrary to popular belief disc brakes do not stop you quicker.  If they did, the manufacturers would have published some data on this.  It's easy to test, and disc brakes on cycling wheels have been around for more than a decade.  It would also make their sales easier.

 

Really? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHFSSXOSnxs

 

As much as GCN talks as much rubbish as we see on threads like this they conclude that discs DO ACTUALLY STOP YOU QUICKER is almost all conditions.

 

Have you ever used a road bike with disc brakes in different conditions?

[jcza]

Discs definitely provide better stopping power but when you're loafing in the bunch at 40km/h and the guy ahead of you goes down brakes won't help you.

 

I'm not sure where the "stopping power" will be of any use.

[Eugene]

Disc brakes for bicycles have been commercially available for 10 + years

There's a reason why it's taken so long to filter down to road bikes and I don't think it's anything to do with technology or progress...... more to do with necessity?

The marketing departments have been riding on the lightweight and aerodynamic themes for too long. They needed something fresh to sell bikes.

[Barend de Arend]

Really? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHFSSXOSnxs

 

As much as GCN talks as much rubbish as we see on threads like this they conclude that discs DO ACTUALLY STOP YOU QUICKER is almost all conditions.

 

Have you ever used a road bike with disc brakes in different conditions?

 

Did you have a decent look at their body positions?

 

GCN doesn't do science.

[Mongoose!]

Discs definitely provide better stopping power but when you're loafing in the bunch at 40km/h and the guy ahead of you goes down brakes won't help you.

 

I'm not sure where the "stopping power" will be of any use.

 

jip - was also wondering about this.

 

Guess marketing strategies will came more from the lighter rim angle. 

[carbon29er]

jip - was also wondering about this.

 

Guess marketing strategies will came more from the lighter rim angle. 

Not really true though.

 

I recently bought 55mm rims for my tandem which of course benefits hugely from disc brakes. Not having a braking surface makes about 15g difference on a 500g rim. Now I know these were not designed from the ground up as disc brake rims but we're never going to see where the rim, the rotor, hydraulics and calliper is lighter than a rim brake version with just the calliper.

 

Weight is not the selling point. Modulation and consistency is the selling point. And not wearing through pads and rims. And no heat build up.

 

Edit: typos