Whats the difference in brakes

[Christopher Brunsdon]

 

 

Disc (cable):  Has a disc that is used for the braking area.  Has good braking power - will bring you to a stop in a shorter distance than a V brake.  

 

 

Not sure I agree with that though? I would think in dry conditions v-brakes will be more effective than disks due to the leverage on the center? The whole torque times distance thing?

 

Disks is definately a better option for mtb as you invariably ride through mud or water which deteriorate v-brakes effectiveness substantiably.

 

 

 

Well good V-brakes are better than mech disc brakes. Since I upgraded to XT V-brakes from my OEM ones and I can see the difference. Then again there is no such thing as a good mech brake.

 

I've also noticed that this year my LBS no longer has mech brake MTBs on his floor. He goes straight from V's to hydrolics.

 

Also' date=' if you damage a rim and have disk brakes, it does not affect your braking capability.

[/quote']

 

Well I had some seriously untrue rims and can say that they ate up my new pads. Still had braking power though - Lourensford!!!

 

[Johan Bornman]

Give the poor oke a break guys.

 

Help me out here.

 

V-Brakes

A bit cheaper.

Good ones work well.

Their biggest downfall is the cable that gets all sluggish and unpredictable after a while.

Simple to maintain.

Quiet

Does wear out the rim eventually (but it takes a long time).

Crappy pads make them unbearable.

Requires a bit more early braking in wet weather.

 

Disc brakes.

Super smooth and virtually maintenance free.

Noisy.

More Expensive

Pads don't last long.

Always rubs.

 

 

Note: Both stop equally well since the weakest link in the chain is traction, not brake grip. With good traction both will launch you over the handlebars is you are stupid enough to grab and squeeze/

[Christopher Brunsdon]

 

 

I've also discovered that descent V-brake pads are worth it. I cannot comment on the price of disc pads, but my next set of V-brake pads will be costing me R270 for 2 sets (SwissStops).

 

GHD ones.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=42655

 

Getting these from my LBS and he keeps a box on his counter,

cbrunsdon2010-01-12 15:38:15

[Capricorn]

?

interesting you mention disc brakes are noisy and always rub. Mine dont rub (unless i'm braking of course), neither are they noisy, except for the initial grab in the wet, which is probably the same thing for v-brakes.

 

?

Capricorn2010-01-12 15:36:42

[Johan Bornman]

  interesting you mention disc brakes are noisy and always rub. Mine dont rub (unless i'm braking of course)' date=' neither are they noisy, except for the initial grab in the wet, which is probably the same thing for v-brakes.   [/quote']

 

Ok, Ok, I'll downgrade to "often rubs" but I will not compromise on the noisy. Even the slightest gght gght gght irritates me. Each time I wash a disk brake bike I'm never sure if that post-wash squeal will dissappear with time or cost me an hour of fiddling.

 

[Capricorn]

 

yeah.. i've had that before. But so far, i've been fortunate to have that squeal go away in a hurry after it's first use following the hose-down. I wonder if the use of organic vs sintered pads makes a difference wrt to noise and wet conditions? I've only ever used the sintered pads.

 

but i still tend to disagree with even often rubs, cos that's not been my experience (again, maybe i've been fortunate 2date) even across three different sets of brakes. I make sure damn sure they dont rub. Sometimes, brand new pads rub a little. A nice long steep downhill run with dragged brakes sorts that and bedding in, in a hurry.

Capricorn2010-01-12 15:50:03

[scotty]

 

 

Super smooth and virtually maintenance free.

Noisy.

Always rubs.

 

 

The always rubs can be  reduced by increased maintenance

[Justin]

I currently use V-brakes. The thing about v-brakes not breaking as good as discs are rubbish. If I squeeze my brakes a bit too hard the wheels lock or I go over!

 

I agree with JB, the traction is what makes you brake faster.

 

 

 

I agree that v-brakes are worse in the wet though. If my rims get when I can still brake, but I have to squeeze a bit harder.Justin2010-01-13 01:43:50

[Eldron]

I currently use V-brakes. The thing about v-brakes not breaking as good as discs are rubbish. If I squeeze my brakes a bit too hard the wheels lock or I go over!
I agree with JB' date=' the traction is what makes you brake faster.

I agree that v-brakes are worse in the wet though. If my rims get when I can still brake, but I have to squeeze a bit harder.[/quote']

 

I agree - most people's braking is limited by their skill/balls and amount of traction rather than by their equipment.

 

I have XTR vees on my single speed and XT discs on my race bike - there is little differene in terms of absolute braking power.

 

The vees get ugly when you ride through dirt though - the scratching of mud/stone of aluminium makes my peopol squeeze shut.