Disc or V?

[notobe]

I was just wondering what are the real advantages of disc brakes over v brakes? If you get good v brakes both make you stop straight away. Are disc brakes really worth the extra money? And what makes Hydro disc brakes better than mechinical disc brakes? ta.

 

[bryn]

yeh and why are 8 inch rotors better than 6 inches ? how can it make you stop better with an 8 when with 6 you stop straight away anyway ?

 

[Jordy]

hydraulic discs are way better then vee's.... plus discs work when there wet compared to vee brakes that go all squeeky (if thats how you spell it ?)

 

[bryn]

that didn't really answer our questions

 

[Gonzo]

Discs are better because you have a larger surface area in contact between the pad and the rotor( or the rim). Disc brake pads are about a square inch each as opposed to rim brake pads which are smaller.


8 inch rotors are better than 6 inch rotors because the braking force is being applied further away from the middle of the wheel. If you can remember your high school physics then you should find an answer why that is better, i have forgotten all mine.

8 inch are also better because they stay cooler than a 6 inch rotor under equivalent conditions.

 

[chandler_mate]

8 inch rotors work better because theres more leverage

 

[Rik]

Disc advantages: consistent all weather stopping, usually higher braking power
Hydro disc advantages: even more power than cable, set-and-forget maintainence

that said, I'm more than happy with V's for the stuff I do, I can put myself over the bars with one finger if I wanted. Not much stops better than ceramic rims with cheap shitty pads

 

[Gonzo]

yeah also hydro's are better than cable because there is no delay between pulling the lever and the brakes coming on.

With cables when you pull the lever first the slack in the cable has to get taken up then the cable will stretch a little and finally the brake will start to work. (please note i am exagerating slightly here)

with hydraulic lines (assuming they're bled properly) you do not have to wait for the force to be transmitted along the line like with cables. the difference is not huge and most people won't notice it it's mainly trials riders that really need hydro brakes. that is why magura's are so popular with trials riders.

 

[notobe]

Looks like its disc brakes for me.. not hydro ones though. me = poor.

 

[Rik]

There is a small delay between hydro disc pads hitting the rotor, but no more than a well-tweaked set of V's.

 

[matty_2004]

If your rim is bunged discs still work and v's dont

 

[LTR]

disk pads last something like 13 times longer or something.... :wink:

 

[Adi]

8 inch rotors work better than 6 inch rotors because the braking force is being applied further away from the axle; try this, spin your front wheel and now try stopping the wheel spinning by trying to slow down the spokes near the centre of the hub (don't shove your fingers in all the way in and get them ripped off!), now do the same thing, but this time attempt stopping the wheel spinning near the rim. The force required is much lower.


What is better? Vees or Discs? Depends on what kind of riding you are doing. I'd rather a good set of vee brakes than low quality discs.

 

[Rik]

Shit yeh Adin! This is the problem though, in discussions like this, noone is really specific about the quality we're talking about. An average set of V's will flog the pants off an average disc system, but that said, a good disc will outbrake a good v. Then you go and throw Magura rim brakes into the equation and it stuffs everything up :lol:

 

[lupine128]

If your rim is bunged discs still work and v's dont

and if your disc is bunged, you can't let the cable off and ride home anyway. plus if you damage a hydro disc out on a ride, theres no chance of people having spares with them. i've riden home on a v brake hooked up with the front derailier cable before now.
if you are doing DH runs, maybe look at get discs, if you do more trail/XC type riding, invest in some good v's.

 

[wombat]

Or just go with some cable disks, good ones that is, like the Avid's. Great power without the worries of hydro complications.