Thu 2 Sep, 2010
I have loved using my mountain bicycle for more than a decade. Over time it would qualify a lot more as a hybrid bicycle a result of the modifications I’ve made to add a lot more comfort to the ride. This becomes more important to us as we get older.
One area where I thought it was continually lacking was the brakes. Although they are Shimano center pull caliper brakes, they just don’t perform well in damp weather or muddy conditions. I really was pleased when I recently borrowed a friends bike with new disc brakes. Among the key advantages of bicycle disc brakes is the fantastic all-weather performance. An additional point I truly like is there’s no maintenance required as opposed to the standard adjustments required on cable activated standard brakes. Once you install the disc brakes, setup the calipers it is possible to merely ignore them.
Needless to say should you opt to upgrade to disc brakes you will find them more expensive then conventional rim brakes. But their functionality is so great that most will gladly pay the price. One other negative would be that the disc brake assemblies and rotor do add a little bit of weight to your bicycle. Again, you must evaluate if considering your riding habits, this is suitable. In most cases to switch to bicycle disc brakes you may need new wheels also. Disc rims cannot be installed on regular hubs used with standard rim brake wheels.
Though it will require some effort and additional cost to upgrade to bicycle disc brakes, if you need much better and consistently improved brake overall performance in most conditions, disc brakes are a good investment. But you need to determine if the cost is worthwhile. Truthfully speaking, not everybody actually must upgrade to bicycle disc brakes. Many riders are very very pleased with their rim brake and ride in an natural environment where rim brakes handle the job such as in flat and dry land. However as you take to more steeper trails and wetter conditions, disc brakes become best. An additional point to consider is if you’re a 200 lb rider as i am, you will truly appreciate the improvement in braking power.
I have tried the Shimano disc brakes and as with all Shimano bicycle parts, they performed flawlessly under almost any conditions from mountain trails to riding through creek beds.
Besides Shimano, in line with reviews, Avid disc brakes, Hayes disc brakes, and Tekro disc brakes are all obtainable in kits and as individual components making it possible to suit almost any application needed.
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