Disc brakes vs traditional brakes

scottie pippen

I have a mountain bike that was bought for me in Halfords about
2years ago, it’s not bad - but hardly use it at all.

I am thinking of using it to cycle to work, coolock to baggot st.

It has a type of disc brake, similar to the pic. I am a bit weary of it, are they as reliable as a traditional braking system on a bike?

Would it be worth my while getting rid of these and replacing them with a traditional type?

Cheers

DirkVoodoo

That's my avatar!

Disc brakes >> V brakes, loads of stopping power, long life, no risk of bursting a tube through overheating.

Definitely keep them. The only downside for a commuter is it might make your bike more attractive to potential thieves, make sure you have a good lock!

thebouldwhacker

Ironicly disk brakes are superior to pads. They let you ride a wheel with a buckle, less chance of failing due to wet or dirt, they add weight but will stop you as soon as you hit the leaver.
However if you decide to change and are chuckng them I'll take them off your hands;)

RobFowl

I'll second all that. Disc brakes are vastly superior to traditional brakes. Their stopping power esp off road really takes you by surprise the first few times..

scottie pippen

Thanks guys, I thought they were a bit of a gimmick to be honest,
shows what I know about cycling!

Ill taking the bike into the office if I use it to commute

one thing that made me think them as a lesser quality brake, is that the front one rubs a bit and makes a bit of a squeal.

Perhaps I just need to try adjust the wheel, loosen one bolt, and tighten the other to compensate?

cheers

Gavin

scottie pippen wrote: »

Thanks guys, I thought they were a bit of a gimmick to be honest,
shows what I know about cycling!

Ill taking the bike into the office if I use it to commute

one thing that made me think them as a lesser quality brake, is that the front one rubs a bit and makes a bit of a squeal.

Perhaps I just need to try adjust the wheel, loosen one bolt, and tighten the other to compensate?

cheers

Try loosen the two bolts that attach the caliper to the fork. Then squeeze the front brake lever. This sets the caliper into a position parallel with the rotor. Then tighten the bolts and release the brake lever. If you've no luck with this, have a look at the caliper and try to see if the rotor is constantly aligned to the left or right. If so, then some washers to re-align the caliper should help. If the rotor moves in and out, it's bent and easiest to replace, or you could have a lash at bending it straight. Tough to get right though. If still squealing, get new brake pads.

monkeypants

Disc brakes are the business. If the front is rubbing a bit, it's probably the caliper that needs adjusting rather that the wheel, although do make sure that the wheel is secure also. There are normally a couple of Allen head bolts holding them; loosen them, pull and hold the front brake and then tighten them again. That'll sort out the caliper positioning.

scottie pippen

Gavin wrote: »

Try loosen the two bolts that attach the caliper to the fork. Then squeeze the front brake lever. This sets the caliper into a position parallel with the rotor. Then tighten the bolts and release the brake lever. If you've no luck with this, have a look at the caliper and try to see if the rotor is constantly aligned to the left or right. If so, then some washers to re-align the caliper should help. If the rotor moves in and out, it's bent and easiest to replace, or you could have a lash at bending it straight. Tough to get right though. If still squealing, get new brake pads.

thanks Ill give that a shot.

cheers

thebouldwhacker

Dont pull the brake while the disk is out of the calipers though.

Karma

re the rubbing, are they cable disc brakes? if so, very few use the two pistons behind the pads, and the resulting action warps the disc from the first use onwards. if hydrolic, the 2 bolts holding the brake to the bike are your best and easiest way to adjust the positioning. if you still have problems, send me a pm and i will have a look for you.

zil

Karma wrote: »

re the rubbing, are they cable disc brakes? if so, very few use the two pistons behind the pads, and the resulting action warps the disc from the first use onwards.

Correct me if I'm wrong but from the picture posted it looks that those discs are floating rotors which if set up correctly should be able to eliminate rubbing even with a slightly warped disc.