Dawes with disk brakes
- Thread starter Wardy
- Start date
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OP
OP
Wardy
Active Member
Why do you say that?
stephenjubb
Über Member
This is like the steel v aluminium debate. All the pros and cons of disk v rims can be found here
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?page_id=8174
I would think dawes would have overcome the disadvantages, but check to make sure.
I'd agree with Bodhbh however and the reason is simplicity. The simpler the bike the easier it is to repair and get spairs and thus less hassle.
Your own priorities, thoughts and tour requirement will guide you as to whether you want disks or not.
Me I like simplicity, the ability to repair myself and get spairs anywhere. Makes for less to think about on tour if there are any issues which means a better tour to allow your mind to wander to other stuff.
And it ultimately normally means a hassle free tour. No need to source complicated requirements though there are arguments about this as well that say you can take spares, get everything sent out but again not as simple as nipping into a LBS and getting a bog standard replacement.
stephenjubb
Über Member
also have a look at these reviews
http://www.ctc.org.uk/sites/default/files/file_public/bike-test-disc-braked-tourers.pdf
http://www.ctc.org.uk/sites/default/files/file_public/bike-test-disc-braked-tourers.pdf
Bodhbh
Guru
Sorry I'd had a few and was being mischievous. I have hydraulic disk brakes on my tourer. I'd probably go for cables if I was building one from scratch or heading off across Africa - however as they've never gone wrong there's not much point changing them for the sake of it. Regarding any specific problem with the brakes on the Dawes I have no idea.
Just a bit
OP
OP
Wardy
Active Member
Thanks guys. Having read both reviews, one wonders exactly what Dawes has done to counter the additional stress disks will place on wheel/fork. I'm probably less inclined to go down the disk path now, but having owned several drop-bar bikes over the years (my old 70's Super Gal being one), I've always been aware of the less than satisfactory braking ability of rim brakes, especially in the wet. No doubt, changing a new Super Galaxy to rim braking would be rather expensive, so it looks like I shall have to find a 2012 model!
OP
OP
Wardy
Active Member
Thanks Stephen. The Ultra is tempting!
Ticktockmy
Guru
- Location
- Crawley, West Sussex
Personally having used V and disk brakes for touring, my feelings are either will do the job, both have good points and bad points. but from my experience, buy the best you can afford, which means in the case of V brakes good quality rims and pads. Likewise for disk brakes buy the best you can afford, in my case when touring, I enjoy the thrill of fast downhills, and as I normally have front and rear panniers camping kit etc, brakes are important to me. So I use Hydraulic disk brakes as to me they feels more positive in action.
OP
OP
Wardy
Active Member
Good advice Ticktock. As I've got older I've tended to dwell more on the thought of cherry-red rims as I descend at speed so I thought disks were the way to go. I wonder what the Tour de France guys use as they certainly loose altitude far faster than I would. There again, I guess their nerve is somewhat stronger than mine so they probably spend less time braking!
OP
OP
Wardy
Active Member
Yesterday, I emailed Dawes Cycles and asked what changes to build had taken place to counteract the stresses imposed by disk brakes. Their reply today stated "The frames and the forks on the Super and Ultra Galaxy have been specifically designed to accomodate mechanical disk brakes".
In case anyone is interested they said the weight of the 2013 Super Galaxy is 15.4 kg and the Ultra is 14.6 kg and said that their website is being updated to include "all weights of our range".
vernon
Harder than Ronnie Pickering
- Location
- Meanwood, Leeds
I have a bespoke Woodrup tourer and had it fitted with Shimano XT V brakes.
I was swayed by the test ride that I had on the prototype when I applied the brakes with the force that I have used with cantilever brakes and was brought to a halt far faster than I'd planned for. They are reassuringly efficient when I ride fully loaded with four panniers and my 23 stone carcase.
Don't let the 'What if disaster strikes?' scenarios cloud the issue e.g.
Aluminium vs steel
Disc vs rim
Hub vs derailleur
Buy what you can comfortably afford and make sure that you can buy your way out of trouble if disaster strikes i.e. carry a credit card.
I've bought my way out of trouble with
Two frame failures (steel frames by the way, both of the Dawes Galaxies, both at the rear drop out.) One repair in England one complete replacement bike in France.
Two wheel failures. New rear wheels: one in Scotland and one in France.
If you set off on tour to cope with all eventualities, your spares and toolkit would leave little room for clothes and camping gear.
FWIW I have yet to read about anyone inconvenienced in a major way with disc brake problems while on tour.
I was swayed by the test ride that I had on the prototype when I applied the brakes with the force that I have used with cantilever brakes and was brought to a halt far faster than I'd planned for. They are reassuringly efficient when I ride fully loaded with four panniers and my 23 stone carcase.
Don't let the 'What if disaster strikes?' scenarios cloud the issue e.g.
Aluminium vs steel
Disc vs rim
Hub vs derailleur
Buy what you can comfortably afford and make sure that you can buy your way out of trouble if disaster strikes i.e. carry a credit card.
I've bought my way out of trouble with
Two frame failures (steel frames by the way, both of the Dawes Galaxies, both at the rear drop out.) One repair in England one complete replacement bike in France.
Two wheel failures. New rear wheels: one in Scotland and one in France.
If you set off on tour to cope with all eventualities, your spares and toolkit would leave little room for clothes and camping gear.
FWIW I have yet to read about anyone inconvenienced in a major way with disc brake problems while on tour.
BigonaBianchi
Yes I can, Yes I am, Yes I did...Repeat.
- Location
- Iskele TRNC & Mordor UK
I'd need convincing on disc brakes on my tourer, my experience of American bike shops on the transam was that there aren't many at all and those there are I suspect would be extremely unlikely to be able to fix/replace disc brakes while you wait, or even while you wait a few days.
I'm not sure whats wrong with simple old style brakes and bar end shifters...they work, they are simple, and if I cant fix them for any reason most bike shops can do while you wait.
I'm not sure whats wrong with simple old style brakes and bar end shifters...they work, they are simple, and if I cant fix them for any reason most bike shops can do while you wait.
puch
Regular
A proposition that's difficult to fault. As a newbie, I was initially impressed by discs but, further research has uncovered a surprising indifference to discs by cyclists & mechanics who know what they're talking about. I'm in for a new tourer and it will probably have V or regular cantilevers.
