Do You Need Bicycle Disc Brakes?
I’ve loved using my mountain bicycle for upwards of ten years. In recent times it would qualify much more as a hybrid bicycle as a result of modifications I’ve made to add much more comfort to the ride. This grows more necessary to us as we mature.
One place in which I believed it had been continually lacking was the brakes. While they are Shimano center pull caliper brakes, they just do not perform well in damp weather or muddy conditions. So I was pleased when I recently borrowed a close friends bicycle with new disc brakes. One of many key benefits of bicycle disc brakes is the fantastic all-weather operation. An additional point I really like is there isn’t any maintenance needed in contrast to the regular adjustments required on cable activated standard brakes. When you install the disc brakes, setup the calipers it is possible to just ignore them.
Of course should you choose to upgrade to disc brakes you will find them more expensive then conventional rim brakes. But their functionality is so great that many will happily pay the purchase price. The other negative is that the disc brake assemblies and rotor do add some weight to your bike. Again, you need to decide if considering your riding habits, this can be acceptable. Generally to switch to bicycle disc brakes you may need new wheels also. Disc rims can not be mounted on standard hubs used with standard rim brake wheels.
Even though it will require some effort and extra cost to up grade to bicycle disc brakes, if you need far better and consistently improved brake overall performance in all conditions, disc brakes are a good investment. But you must determine if the cost is worthwhile. Truthfully speaking, not everyone really has to upgrade to bicycle disc brakes. Many riders are quite very pleased with their rim brake and ride in an natural environment where rim brakes manage the job such as in flat and dry ground. However when you decide to try more steeper trails and wetter conditions, disc brakes become most valuable. An additional issue to think about is if you are a 200 lb rider as i am, you will truly appreciate the improvement in braking power.
I have tried the Shimano disc brakes and as with all of Shimano bicycle parts, they performed flawlessly under any kind of conditions from mountain trails to riding through creek beds.
Besides Shimano, in line with reports, Avid disc brakes, Hayes disc brakes, and Tekro disc brakes are all available in kits and as separate parts making it possible to suit almost any application desired.