Disc brake or not?

[Heigue'r]

Good afternoon guys,a post on behalf of my brother.He is riding regular 70mile spins with 5000ft of climbing in all conditions.he has decided to upgrade his bike and is going for a carbon synapse.The difference in price between the disc braked version and standard version is €1000!.Seems like alot to me but given the conditions and area he is cycling in,mountains,probably 300 days of the year it rains there (connor pass)southern Ireland,I would be leaning towards the disc version,what do you think?

 

[Wafer]

I like discs but I don't think I'd pay THAT much extra for them....

 

[Torvi]

not worth it. get different bike with discs as standard

 

[Heigue'r]

So a bit more info,the disc version is ultegra,the other is 105,That wasnt made clear to me earlier.

 

[Torvi]

still not worth it, maybe 300-400euro difference would be normal but 1k? that's stupid

 

[djb1971]

you need to compare the full specs, wheelset, tyres, chainset, hydraulic brakes?

if its got a few upgrades over the 105 I'd get the disc version

 

[MichaelW2]

Disc brakes are worthwhile, but according to cannondale, you can get them in 105. The capability for bolt-on mudguards is a wise choice.

 

[Wafer]

Ah yeah, if you're comparing rim braked 105 to disc braked ultegra, there's more than just a disc difference!

Still, I think if I was buying the carbon Ultegra disc, I'd want better wheels than it has....

 

[jowwy]

Also the 105 version is alloy and cable disc

The ultegra version is carbon with hydraulic discs

So yes €1000 difference is correct

 

[Wafer]

I think he meant the 105 carbon frame with rim brakes and cheaper wheels compared to ultegra carbon. Alloy 105 to carbon Ultegra is about £1500!

 

[Heigue'r]

Yes it is the 105 carbon,not alloy.My first post was unclear,he is still undecided so Ive told him to test ride both and see what he thinks.thanks for replies

 

[Mike!]

If I was doing a lot of climbing I wouldn't want the extra weight of discs, we've managed perfectly well without them in rain and on descents for a few years now...

 

[jowwy]

Discs are not that much heavier than caliper brakes, so shouldnt be an issue when climbing lets be fair we are prob talking 200grammes at the most

 

[Globalti]

If he can afford it, the carbon frame, 11 speed Ultegra with that massive cassette (11-32 I think) and hydraulic discs are definitely worth having, especially for big miles on wet mucky Irish roads.

Also some of that difference will disappear in the form of discounts when he gets to try his Irish charm on the dealer!

 

[Wafer]

I dunno. Upgrade from 105 to Ultegra, Hydraulic disc brakes and the other component changes that requires and wheels that cost about £80 extra?
Sounds a lot of money for that to me. If the discs on the alloy 105 were better I'd suggest looking at that as well, but it's an area I think that model falls down on.