full-throttle
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I'm creating this thread so we can have a discussion about various brake systems without polluting other threads.
I'll start off with a couple of points and add more later
Cable actuated rim brakes
Pros:
Light (50-100g lighter than equivalent disc brake)
Cheap to buy
Don't require specific tools to service - can be maintained on the track/road
Don't require a specific hub
Strong in the dry
Cons:
Inconsistent (the difference between wet and dry is significant)
Require constant adjustment
Can be expensive on a long run (see Note1)
Wear the rim
Require special rim (see Note2)
Poor modulation (force at the lever vs braking force)
Prolonged use can burst the tyre off the rim
Cable needs to be well looked after
Untrue wheel compromises brake performance
Hydraulic disc brakes
Pros:
Consistent performance (wet, dry, muddy)
Excellent modulation
Easy to set up
Excellent power (see Note 3)
Require less force at the lever
Low maintenance
Easy wheel change comp to using rim brake (everything else kept the same)
Cons:
Braking surface can be easily contaminated by oil
Prolonged use can overheat the system IF not used correctly (every now and then the lever has to be released for the fluid to equalise)
Excessive line abrasion can result in total brake loss (rare)
Require disc-specific rims and non-radial lacing
Shorter spoke life??
Hydraulic rim brakes
Pros:
Don't require a specific hub
Strong in the dry
Excellent power
Require less force at the lever
Cons:
Inconsistent (the difference between wet and dry is significant)
Wear the rim
Require special rim (see Note2)
Prolonged use can burst the tyre off the rim
Untrue wheel compromises brake performance
Prolonged use can overheat the system IF not used correctly (every now and then the lever has to be released for the fluid to equalise)
Excessive line abrasion can result in total brake loss (rare)
Cable actuated disc brakes
Pros:
Similar to hydraulic disc brakes
Line damage less likely to result in brake failure
Don't require specific tools to service - can be maintained on the track/road
Cons:
50~100g heavier than equivalent hydraulic unit
Cable needs to be well looked after
Require disc-specific rims and non-radial lacing
Shorter spoke life??
Drum brakes
Pros:
All-weather
Good performance acc to Philistine (read below)
Long intervals between service
Cons:
Heavy??
Minor wheel building issues
Cannot be used with a hub motor (not so bad if regen braking is avail)
Require disc-specific rims and non-radial lacing
Shorter spoke life??
Regenerative brakes
Pros:
All-weather
Charge the battery 2~10%
Maintenance free
No additional weight
Can be combined with other systems
Cons:
Direct drive only
Controller failure results in brake compromise (unless combined)
Higher controller duty cycle
Poor modulation (on-off)
Note1: Rim brakes require professional set up and adjustment to get best results.
Note3: Disc brakes phased out rim brakes on most vehicles. Here are some interesting reads (you can find a lot more)
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/disc-brakes-the-future-for-all-bikes-32770/
http://www.bikeradar.com/blog/article/disc-brakes-have-a-bright-future-in-cyclocross-32157/
I'll start off with a couple of points and add more later
Cable actuated rim brakes
Pros:
Light (50-100g lighter than equivalent disc brake)
Cheap to buy
Don't require specific tools to service - can be maintained on the track/road
Don't require a specific hub
Strong in the dry
Cons:
Inconsistent (the difference between wet and dry is significant)
Require constant adjustment
Can be expensive on a long run (see Note1)
Wear the rim
Require special rim (see Note2)
Poor modulation (force at the lever vs braking force)
Prolonged use can burst the tyre off the rim
Cable needs to be well looked after
Untrue wheel compromises brake performance
Hydraulic disc brakes
Pros:
Consistent performance (wet, dry, muddy)
Excellent modulation
Easy to set up
Excellent power (see Note 3)
Require less force at the lever
Low maintenance
Easy wheel change comp to using rim brake (everything else kept the same)
Cons:
Braking surface can be easily contaminated by oil
Prolonged use can overheat the system IF not used correctly (every now and then the lever has to be released for the fluid to equalise)
Excessive line abrasion can result in total brake loss (rare)
Require disc-specific rims and non-radial lacing
Shorter spoke life??
Hydraulic rim brakes
Pros:
Don't require a specific hub
Strong in the dry
Excellent power
Require less force at the lever
Cons:
Inconsistent (the difference between wet and dry is significant)
Wear the rim
Require special rim (see Note2)
Prolonged use can burst the tyre off the rim
Untrue wheel compromises brake performance
Prolonged use can overheat the system IF not used correctly (every now and then the lever has to be released for the fluid to equalise)
Excessive line abrasion can result in total brake loss (rare)
Cable actuated disc brakes
Pros:
Similar to hydraulic disc brakes
Line damage less likely to result in brake failure
Don't require specific tools to service - can be maintained on the track/road
Cons:
50~100g heavier than equivalent hydraulic unit
Cable needs to be well looked after
Require disc-specific rims and non-radial lacing
Shorter spoke life??
Drum brakes
Pros:
All-weather
Good performance acc to Philistine (read below)
Long intervals between service
Cons:
Heavy??
Minor wheel building issues
Cannot be used with a hub motor (not so bad if regen braking is avail)
Require disc-specific rims and non-radial lacing
Shorter spoke life??
Regenerative brakes
Pros:
All-weather
Charge the battery 2~10%
Maintenance free
No additional weight
Can be combined with other systems
Cons:
Direct drive only
Controller failure results in brake compromise (unless combined)
Higher controller duty cycle
Poor modulation (on-off)
Note1: Rim brakes require professional set up and adjustment to get best results.
Note2: Disc brake components are more popular than rim brake equivalent. The economy of scale favours disc brakes. Examples: Shimano doesn't make any rim brake compatible components in the highest groupsets (XTR, XT, SLX, Saint, Zee) Online retailers offer much broader range of disc compatible components. Strongest rims are for disc brakes only. There are virtually no high end MTBs with rim brakes.Chalo said:The young guy in the shop is apt to do a much better job setting up a pair of pre-bled hydraulic discs than high-performance rim brakes, because there isn't very much to it.
Note3: Disc brakes phased out rim brakes on most vehicles. Here are some interesting reads (you can find a lot more)
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/disc-brakes-the-future-for-all-bikes-32770/
http://www.bikeradar.com/blog/article/disc-brakes-have-a-bright-future-in-cyclocross-32157/
BikeRadar said:Finally, chew on this: every other high-performance wheeled vehicle uses disc brakes, from car, to motorcycle, to racing lawnmower, to mountain bike. Is it time for ’cross and road bikes to step up? We think it is.
Once component manufacturers start to offer integrated hydraulic setups and frame companies start optimizing designs for discs, we'll be left asking why it took so long. It's only due to legacy that we've all come to accept that squishing a couple of little rubber blocks against a carbon or aluminum rim is something other than ludicrous