Disc brakes on road bikes

[Accy cyclist]

I went to a local bike shop the other day just browsing around. Naturally the owner tried to talk me into buying one of the end of season road bikes on sale. To cut a long story short he showed me the catalogues for next years bikes, Quite a few Williers had disc brakes fitted. He said that eventually disc brakes will be accepted in competitions and "they are the way forward"! Is this so, and are disc brakes far better than the traditional method?

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Yes

 

[ColinJ]

We don't need more powerful brakes because conventional brakes are already perfectly capable of locking wheels but disk brakes should work better in the wet, and will fix the problem of rim wear.

 

[downfader]

Colin is right.

The benefit of discs are also that the ceramic pads can last ages (got a set to last over a year).

However I dont see them becoming a competition regular - the UCI has dithered on this for a very long time already, chances are they'll want EVERYONE in a competition to have the same brake. The last thing you want is for a competitor upfront to brake on discs and the rider behind to catch up - rim pads and discs have different bedding in times upon pulling the lever - the disc tends to be a bit more direct, rims have a little deceleration as the pads slide before locking. Especially in the wet

 

[smokeysmoo]

We don't need more powerful brakes because conventional brakes are already perfectly capable of locking wheels but disk brakes should work better in the wet, and will fix the problem of rim wear.

^ this is my opinion too.

If you commute in all weathers then discs are definitely beneficial in terms of wear, just ask @ianrauk

However, I don't commute so excessive wear has never been am issue for me, and personally I don't like the look of discs on a road bike.

Horses for courses and all that innit

 

[Accy cyclist]

Would it be possible to fit disk brakes on a road bike that has conventional brakes? If so would it be expensive and difficult?

 

[ianrauk]

Would it be possible to fit disk brakes on a road bike that has conventional brakes? If so would it be expensive and difficult?

Unless the frame has disc brake mounts, then no.

 

[the_mikey]

I suppose it has to be proven in road racing, I don't relish the prospect of dealing with bent or warped rotors but the braking generally "should" be better.

Would it be possible to fit disk brakes on a road bike that has conventional brakes? If so would it be expensive and difficult?

You'd need new forks and the option to include it already on the frame.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Colin is right.

The benefit of discs are also that the ceramic pads can last ages (got a set to last over a year).

However I dont see them becoming a competition regular - the UCI has dithered on this for a very long time already, chances are they'll want EVERYONE in a competition to have the same brake. The last thing you want is for a competitor upfront to brake on discs and the rider behind to catch up - rim pads and discs have different bedding in times upon pulling the lever - the disc tends to be a bit more direct, rims have a little deceleration as the pads slide before locking. Especially in the wet

If a rim brake can lock the wheel with it's power what would be the problem with some riders using discs while others used rim brakes? When discs first appeared on GP motorcycles their take up was not instantly universal and it caused no problems. People miss the point of powerful brakes, their main benefit is to allow you to apply the same force with a much lighter touch giving far better feedback and making it easier to adjust the pressure you are applying. I rarely if ever lock the wheels on my car and haven't done for years. Back in the days of drum brakes it was a regular thing to hear someones tyres screeching because to get any real stopping power into them you had to press so hard you lost all sense of feel.

Rim brakes should have been consigned to the Ark years ago.

 

[mustang1]

I recently bought a MTB with hydro disks.

Yes, I think disks will be better on road bikes too.

 

[MacB]

it's also a money progress thing so expect it to happen

 

[cyberknight]

Unless the frame has disc brake mounts, then no.

And most disc brake bikes have a 135 mm rear hub , not 130 mm like a standard road spacing .Yes i know there are a few 130 mm wheels but most afaik are the wider standard .

 

[nappadang]

Surely disc brakes will be heavier?

 

[MacB]

Surely disc brakes will be heavier?

I was under the impression that they already had to put weights inside frames to bring them up to race legal weights. If that's correct then the weight wouldn't be a factor.

 

[brand]

1 bikes has disc brakes the other has rim brakes. Prefer disc as an old bike with disc front and rim brake on the back wore out 4 rims albeit over 12 years. but the bike with rim brakes front and rear has ceramic pads with a type of ceramic rim. It is not ceramic coated but the ceramic bit is fired at/into the metal?
Either way the seller had done a 20,000 km cycle ride and the rims appear to have no wear at all. I am not sure but I think he said the brake pads are original as well.
And the Brooks saddle is soo broke in!