Road bikes with discs

[vickster]

If anyone is interested, Whyte have road bikes in their new range with disc brakes (as well as the CX models). More commuter roadies than race bikes

http://www.whytebikes.com/2013/section.php?xSec=121&xPage=1

 

[ianrauk]

I have been looking at these.
Having commuted on a disc brake roadie for the past 15 months. It's the way to go. Won't go back to normal rim brakes for a commuter.

 

[Kies]

I don't get road bikes having disc brakes. Can someone explain the rationale?
Surely a disc brake system will add more weight to a road bike which kind of defeats the idea of a race machine? Also most disc machines have a alu/steel fork as a carbon fork doesn't cope well with the extra loads put upon it by the increased braking ability?
.... Or have I got it completely wrong :confused:

 

[vickster]

As I say, it's a commuter bike - practical, flat bars, disc brakes...not a carbon racer

My disc braked Whyte has a carbon fork

 

[ianrauk]

I don't get road bikes having disc brakes. Can someone explain the rationale?
Surely a disc brake system will add more weight to a road bike which kind of defeats the idea of a race machine? Also most disc machines have a alu/steel fork as a carbon fork doesn't cope well with the extra loads put upon it by the increased braking ability?
.... Or have I got it completely wrong :confused:

The carbon fork on my bike seems to cope very well.

The technology for discs brakes is getting better and they are getting lighter. Avid have bought out a BB7 road version which is lighter then the normal BB7's.

The weights of some of the bikes are not that far off from the UCI weight limit. You just have to look at the Colnago bike for example.

As with electronic gear shifting systems I think that disc brakes will soon become the norm on road bikes..

 

[fossyant]

Frames have to be beefed up. For a commuter is saves rim wear as I go through a set every 18 months, but I can rebuild my wheels for £90 for the rims plus spokes. Discs will last longer.

Personally, I will stick with rim brakes, but I can see the attraction for commuting or cross. Not road bikes for weekends though, where rim wear is never a big issue.

 

[Amack]

I saw these Whyte bikes a couple of weeks ago, they give the commuter who wants to use a road bike all the useful options, rack and mudguard mounts and of course disc brakes. They're nice looking bikes, Specialized have added an extra disc version to their Secteur range though its a bit dearer

http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/pr...s&product=Secteur Elite Disc - 2014 Road Bike

There's also a nice 105 equipped Alloy Synapse coming from Cannondale with disc brakes, about £1300 I think. It would be my disc equipped commuting road bike of choice......if I had £1300!

 

[Mallory]

Disc brakes for commuting are a no brainier. I have BB5 and although they are a PITA to keep true at least I know I will stop in all conditions. They are also better at modulation.

I really notice the difference when riding my roadie and the real lag in braking performance.

 

[Moodyman]

For year round commuting in a hilly area or with lots of urban stop start riding, discs are miles better. They save rims and the pads and discs last much longer.

 

[VamP]

I guess I'm a luddite, but I am not embracing discs or electronic shifting for that matter. Not for road racing, not for commuting and not for cross.

 

[ianrauk]

I guess I'm a luddite, but I am not embracing discs or electronic shifting for that matter. Not for road racing, not for commuting and not for cross.

Good for you.
Would you have said the same about STI's, threadless headset's, derailleurs or clipless when they were invented?

 

[fossala]

Good for you.
Would you have said the same about STI's, threadless headset's, derailleurs or clipless when they were invented?

I think every new thing isn't good, but I love disc brakes on commuting bikes. I do prefer downtube/barend shifters over sti's though, plus I'm sick of talking about "sti's" in public, my misses has to remind me what I'm saying.

 

[ianrauk]

I think every new thing isn't good, but I love disc brakes on commuting bikes. I do prefer downtube/barend shifters over sti's though, plus I'm sick of talking about "sti's" in public, my misses has to remind me what I'm saying.

I get what you're saying.
I wouldn't have that leccy stuff either. But too pooh pooh everything new is just a bit silly when everything was new once. It's called innovation.

 

[VamP]

Good for you.
Would you have said the same about STI's, threadless headset's, derailleurs or clipless when they were invented?

Might have done if I'd just sunk many thousands into the 'outdated' technology. For me it's a way of keeping my sanity. I spend several thousand every year just keeping all my bikes tip top. Replacing with new, possibly marginally better, technology to address pain points I'm not feeling just doesn't make sense.

I guess if I wanted a dedicated commuting bike I might consider looking at discs, but I prefer to commute on my race bike. All in I have 11 road and cross wheelsets at the moment. That's a major transition block for me right there.

 

[Sillyoldman]

Whilst I am happy with my simple steel framed bike and decent canti brakes I do like innovation. Electronic shifting looks so exciting and one day I am sure I will go that way. I also think SRAMs hydraulic rim brakes look pretty fine too. Can you fit them to a Surly cross check , if so better start saving.