The demand for bicycle disc brakes on cycles has recently increased among cycling enthusiasts, including beginner riders. Learn the benefits and drawbacks if you are contemplating switching from rim brakes to disc brakes, 

Over the past decade, manufacturers have shown an inclination towards disc brakes by supplying them in their mountain bikes and fitting disc brakes on many road and other bikes. However, some rim loyalists still resist the anti-disc brake, but when you buy your next cycle, you need to deliberate on the brakes.

How do rim brakes and disc brakes vary?

Brakes work by laying bicycle brake pads against the exterior of a wheel. How you apply the braking force differs in the rim and disc brakes. With a rim brake, the braking is on the outer edge or at the rim of the wheel, while in a disc brake, you apply force on a rotor towards the middle of the wheel.

Difference between hydraulic and mechanical disc brakes

The two types of disc brakes, i.e., hydraulic and mechanical, have pistons that push brake pads onto a rotor. The disparity is how the pressure applied on the brake levers transfers to the brake rotor. Mechanical disc brakes like rim brakes come with a steel cable to move the pistons, while hydraulic disc brakes has a fluid-filled system so that when you press the braking lever, a plunger pushes fluid into the calliper that forces the brake pads onto the rotor to slow or stop the bike.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of both types of disc brakes

Pros of disc brakes

1] Better braking power - Bicycle disc brakes induce far more power than standard rim brakes. It means you don't need to apply full pressure on the brake levers, especially on long downhills where you constantly check your speed. It helps in reducing muscle tiredness

2] Consistent braking - Pushing the lever of a rim brake will not always give you the same level of braking equal to the force you have applied, but braking force is much more consistent with disc braking. Thus, it enables you to evaluate more accurately the force you must apply to the brake lever to get the desired braking.

3] Lesser risks in wet weather - Compared with a rim brake, a disc brake functions much better in the rainy and winter seasons. A disc brake instantly slows or stops when braking, but the rim brakes have to dispose of water from the rim before grinding on the surface.

4] A quicker ride - With more trust and braking power, you can ride faster with disc brake bikes. You can spend more time travelling at higher speeds and apply brakes later, which is not the case with rim brakes. T

5] Lesser wear and tear on wheels - Rim brakes inevitably cause depletion on the rim surface, especially when combined with grit and dirt in winter, meaning that wheels will wear out far quicker than those on a disc brake-equipped bike.

6] Brakes durable even when the wheel is not proper - You might be aware that a damaged rim on a wheel can damage the rim brakes, which will require alignment or the wheel straightened to prevent them from snaring the rim. You will not have this problem with disc brakes as they work effectively even if the wheel is slightly out.

Drawbacks of disc brakes:

1] Heavy Disc brakes weigh more - When road cyclists look for bikes as light as possible for speed reasons, the disc brakes add weight to a bike. Hydraulic disc brake systems, are heavier than rim brakes.

2] Expensive - Disc brakes are more expensive at initial purchase and maintenance. Although disc brake pads are more durable than rim pads, they are pricier to replace and can be as much as three times the cost of equivalent rim pads.

3] Maintenance - Hydraulic disc brakes do not require much maintenance as they are sealed, but if a problem arises, it is challenging to repair. Disc brakes may need oozing when an air bubble gets trapped in the system.

4] Not transportable - You cannot fix disc brakes onto your road bike if you presently have rim brakes. You will have to change the frame and the wheels, as the wheel hubs for the two are different.

5] Disc brakes can be dangerous - If you are riding in a group where some of you are riding using a mix of disc and rim braking systems, it will mean that some can brake with different force than others. Some reports claim riders have been injured by a disc brake during race events.

Conclusion:

The choice of brakes ultimately comes down to personal preferences. Many riders are happy with rim brakes and may not shift. A rim brake has advantages, like being cheaper, lighter and giving you the braking you desire.