Are you happy with your disc brakes?

[tombrogan]

I've read the discussions here and on many other sites debating the merits of V-brakes vs dics brakes, so please lets not do that again. What I would like to know is for those of you that have disc brakes or use to have disc brakes are you : 1. Extremely happy, disc brakes are awesome? 2. Satisfied but think they are sometiimes a hassle? or 3. Would go with V-brakes if I could have a do over?

[humunuku]

I vote for:
1. Extremely happy, disc brakes are awesome


if you want to know why:
-superior stopping power - wet/dry/whenever
--easier to set up AND as the pads wear down you can adjust them without tools. new pads can be put in without tools too! (at least on avids)
- if you bust a spoke-your breaks work the same - no chance of tearing a sidewall of your tire either
- rims won't wear out from braking - tires don't heat up either

If you think about safety...rims brakes just don't stop well in the rain (esp when loaded up on a long DH) - discs work.

[chiroptile]

I have Disk Brakes on my mountain bike.. It's a heavy bike, and picks up momentum like nobody's business.. Never had trouble stopping it. Very responsive, very grippy. Perfect for rain/snow/mud, because they keep the braking surface away from the elements. I am extremely happy with the way they perform. Having said that, disk brakes are definitely more complex and expensive to maintain. They can be cable-pull or hydraulic. I prefer cable for ease of maintenance. Disk brakes require a stronger (heavier) fork and wheel. They can wear the hub more quickly than a rim brake. Oh, wait.. I'm listing merits. I'm very happy with my disk brakes. I would not use them on a tourer.

[MIBIKER]

I like my disc brakes.  If you are thinking about using them on a long tour I would use the cable type because they are easier to service.

[Tourista829]

I like disc brakes on long descents. No more worries about heating up the rims and blowing a tire. I also like my Arai Drum brake. On long descents, which I have on my tandem, I set the resistance and do not have to hold or alternate the brakes. I use an older thumb shifter and can set it to any resistance % I need. The only negative is it is on the heavy side, but on a tandem it is ok.

[tombrogan]

For those interested in this topic, I aslo asked the same question over on CGOAB  http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum/board/message/?o=RrzKj&thread_id=209814&v=W&page=1&nested=0

At this point it seems most responders are happy with their disc brakes.

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

I vote for:
1. Extremely happy, disc brakes are awesome


if you want to know why:
-superior stopping power - wet/dry/whenever
--easier to set up AND as the pads wear down you can adjust them without tools. new pads can be put in without tools too! (at least on avids)
- if you bust a spoke-your breaks work the same - no chance of tearing a sidewall of your tire either
- rims won't wear out from braking - tires don't heat up either

If you think about safety...rims brakes just don't stop well in the rain (esp when loaded up on a long DH) - discs work.

Ditto, almost word for word. I would just add "mechanical" instead of "hydraulic".
Ride safe,
Hans

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

I'll also add, my Safari has mechanical disc brakes. They are great. Both my next road bike and next MTB will also have similar brake systems.

Ride safe,
Hans

[sackcycle]

I'll also add, my Safari has mechanical disc brakes. They are great. Both my next road bike and next MTB will also have similar brake systems.

Ride safe,
Hans

Wish I would have waited a year before I bought my LHT, and got the Jamis Aurora Elite w/disc brake would have moved the shifters to bar end.

[Clem]

I bought a Salsa Vaya frame last year and built it up with Avid Road BB7 mechanical disk brakes. They seem to be working very well. This is my first experience with disk brakes for bikes and I am pleased.

[waynemyer]

Another extremely happy disc brake user.

I will add, though, that pad and rotor selection are just as important as caliper selection.  In my opinion and experience, there is only one mechanical caliper to use: Avid BB7. For road/touring use, sintered pads are critical: longer life, better resistance to scorching, and better performance in poor conditions. And the Avid G2/G3 rotors beat the roundagon rotors, hands down.

[Mark Manley]

Another thumbs up from me, I have Hope hydraulic discs on my bike and they work well wet or dry and do not wear or heat up the rims, spare pads take less space than blocks when touring.

[Wayne00001]

Had some Avid bb7's put on my Rans Stratus XP and actually tweaked the fork twice.  Bad enough to make the pads rub.  Pro bike mechanics explanation not mine.  Loved the stopping power.  Loved the fact that they work wet.  Wouldn't do it again.  Can't think it's a good thing to keep bending one of the fork legs.  I weighed 260#'s at the time,  so they were slowing done alot of me.