You only have to go back a couple of years to see just how vocal cyclists can be when it comes to change. The arrival of disc brakes had the cycling community in an uproar. There was nowhere you could go without hearing the overwhelming disapproval for this new braking technology.
Fast forward to 2021 and things are all a little different. When looking at the world professional road bike teams, 19 out of 20 are now using disc brakes. It is not just the pros (although, not all pros are entirely happy) that are now making the most of this development. These brakes have filtered down to budget bikes and you can easily pick one up for £1,000. So, what’s the difference between disc and rim brakes, and which is better? Let’s take a look.
What are road bike disc brakes?
Disc brakes on road bikes bring them in line with cars and most other wheeled modes of transport. It sees a disc being applied to the wheel and the pressure ensures that the wheel stops turning. Disc brakes are usually fully hydraulic and see the brake calliper is mounted to the frame and fork, close to the wheel axel.
As disc brakes are hydraulic, when you pull the brake lever you activate a plunger that goes into the master cylinder. This pushes fluid through a hose to the calliper that is located at the other end. The hydraulic pressure pushes out the calliper pistons and forces the discs to connect with the rotor. There are cable versions available which are slightly cheaper than the hydraulic models.
What are road bike rim brakes?
Rim brakes have been the standard for road bikes for many decades. What makes them popular is their simplicity and this simplicity helps to keep the cost down too. As the name suggests, rim brakes work by clamping on the rim of the wheel itself.
When pressure is applied to the brake lever, the force travels through steel cables until it reaches the calliper. It then forces the calliper to clamp around the rim of the wheel.
Disc vs Rim Brakes
When it comes to choosing between disc and rim brakes, both of these have their own advantages:
Rim brake advantages
- Weigh less than disc brakes
- Simple system that is easy to repair
- Cheap to replace parts
- Some argue that rim brakes are more pleasing to the eye
Disc brake advantages
- More stopping power
- Less force needed for the same deceleration that rim brakes offer
- Great for steep descents
- Ideal for heavier riders
- Easier to brake more precisely
Given that rim brakes were long the go-to standard when it comes to road bikes, disc brakes have now gained a massive spike in popularity. Off-road riders have long seen the benefits of these and it seems that road riders are now making the switch too. That being said, it is unlikely that disc brakes will see the death of their rim counterpart. There are some riders who will always sway towards the option that allows for easy DIY repairs where parts are cheap and easily accessible.
