Disc brakes on road bikes

[rydabent]

If your rims wear out in anything less than several years, there's something lacking in your cycling skills.
Or, as an eminent old cyclist once said, "brakes are for emergencies only".

I have read dozens of reports of long distance cyclist having to replace rims. They usually ride wet or dry, and in the wet, sand and girt get on the rims and wear them down really fast. Rim brakes no longer seem very smart. Researching the subject, to replace a disc cost between $70 and $100, and a new high tech rim $1000!! That right there should end the debate.

 

[AndyRM]

I have read dozens of reports of long distance cyclist having to replace rims. They usually ride wet or dry, and in the wet, sand and girt get on the rims and wear them down really fast. Rim brakes no longer seem very smart. Researching the subject, to replace a disc cost between $70 and $100, and a new high tech rim $1000!! That right there should end the debate.

What's a "high tech rim"?

Because that right there sounds made up.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I have read dozens of reports of long distance cyclist having to replace rims. They usually ride wet or dry, and in the wet, sand and girt get on the rims and wear them down really fast. Rim brakes no longer seem very smart. Researching the subject, to replace a disc cost between $70 and $100, and a new high tech rim $1000!! That right there should end the debate.

You're right that rims can get worn out, especially for a heavy braking big lump like me.

But I can assure you my rims don't cost $1000. I had a worn out rim replaced very recently and the (DT Swiss) rim cost £90. Still not cheap if you factor in £50 wheel building charge. But not $1,000. Although I expect it's probably possible to find rims that expensive if you search really, really hard.

I'm not part of "the debate" either way, but that financial argument isn't the killer you seem to think. It would probably cost me in the region of £2000+ to re-equip myself with a bike with discs to the standard of my current bike. I could buy a lot of rims with that.

 

[brommieinkorea]

I have worn out rims in under a year, and under similar conditions gone through disc brake pads in 6 months. The rim brakes bike required new wheels be built. The disc equipped bike was a 5 minute job involving needle nose pliers.
Aesthetically, I could care less which is "cleaner" looking.
No doubt, if you're not heavy, or in somewhat extreme conditions, rim brakes will work. But, I'd rather change brake pads on a disc, than have to constantly clean a rim and still need new wheels every 5 or 6 years.
And lob knows the Brits like to tinker, so rim brakes enhance that particular joy.

 

[Ian H]

I have read dozens of reports of long distance cyclist having to replace rims. They usually ride wet or dry, and in the wet, sand and girt get on the rims and wear them down really fast. Rim brakes no longer seem very smart. Researching the subject, to replace a disc cost between $70 and $100, and a new high tech rim $1000!! That right there should end the debate.

I am a long-distance cyclist.

 

[Milzy]

I have read dozens of reports of long distance cyclist having to replace rims. They usually ride wet or dry, and in the wet, sand and girt get on the rims and wear them down really fast. Rim brakes no longer seem very smart. Researching the subject, to replace a disc cost between $70 and $100, and a new high tech rim $1000!! That right there should end the debate.

That’s fake news.

 

[rydabent]

That’s fake news.

Not in the news. That is in reports of cross country cyclist that post travelogues. They ride sun or rain, and in the rain, sand and grit tear up rims in short order.

 

[rydabent]

Many cyclist remind me of the railroads. When they went from coal fired trains to diesel engines, the firemen resisted change too.

Change for the sake of change is not good. However the votes are in, and and those wanting discs instead of rim brakes have won.

 

[Dadam]

it’s harder to lock a wheel & go down with rim, as you have better modulation.

The truth is the literal opposite of this comment. Have you ever ridden a bike with hydro discs?

Discs can cause crashes,

Discs should be kept to off road.

You must be trolling

 

[Milzy]

The truth is the literal opposite of this comment. Have you ever ridden a bike with hydro discs?



You must be trolling

Ridden plenty. Rim for road, discs for dirt.

 

[Webbo2]

That’s fake news.

I once did a mountain bike ride over Cross Fell in to the Eden Valley which is a sandstone area. It was wet and by the time I finished I had no brake blocks left on my V brakes. At the time I didn’t give it much thought but now I wonder how much metal I took of my rims

 

[cyberknight]

I was out on a club ride yesterday. 6 riders, so only a small sample, and one of those was an e-bike so doesn't count. Of the other 5, 3 of us had disc brakes, 2 had rim brakes.

Looking at photos of ther club rides, there are quite a few still on rim brakes, although definitely more on discs.
So maybe not as obsolete as you think.

I'm literally the only one I have seen on rim brakes over 2 different clubs

 

[Milzy]

I once did a mountain bike ride over Cross Fell in to the Eden Valley which is a sandstone area. It was wet and by the time I finished I had no brake blocks left on my V brakes. At the time I didn’t give it much thought but now I wonder how much metal I took of my rims

Sounds like a brilliant day out still. I think discs are brilliant for off road. I don’t MTB anymore but by the end of a ride like that the disc pads would be shot.

 

[brommieinkorea]

Many cyclist remind me of the railroads. When they went from coal fired trains to diesel engines, the firemen resisted change too.

Change for the sake of change is not good. However the votes are in, and and those wanting discs instead of rim brakes have won.

Every innovation leaves someone needing a new career.

 

[De Sisti]

I'm not part of "the debate" either way, but that financial argument isn't the killer you seem to think. It would probably cost me in the region of £2000+ to re-equip myself with a bike with discs to the standard of my current bike. I could buy a lot of rims with that.

I did a 'cost benefit analysis' for replacing my three rim-brake bikes for three with hydraulic discs and reached the same conclusion.

The rim brakes work very well, and in wet conditions one just has to be a bit more cautious and perhaps brake earlier.