RIM BRAKES VS DISC BRAKES!

After 40 years on rim brakes, I think I can say that I've never been in a situation where my rim brakes didn't work well enough, or caused a problem. - even when wet.

I ride most of the time in the Alps with big fast descents and hard braking into hairpin bends so my comments are based on this experience: 1. The limit of braking is the adhesion between the front tyre and the road or the point when the back wheel is lifting. This can be achieved on any well maintained braking system unless you have very weak hands. 2. Brake pads on disc brake systems do not last anything like as long as brake blocks on a rim brake and each set costs more. It is difficult to know when the pads are close to the limit without taking them out to check. I get through 3 or 4 sets per summer. 3. Disc brake rotors also have quite a limited life. Especially the lightweight ones used on road bikes which have a very thin steel surface covering an aluminium core. They last one summer for me for the front brake. However, cheaper to replace a rotor than replace a wheel rim. 4. The control (modulation) with a disc brake, especially when easing off the brake when entering a corner, is far superior to a rim brake. 5. Rim brakes on cheaper carbon rims? Forget it! 6. Disc brakes can get very hot and that can result in uneven deposit of pad material on the rotors and this leads to noise. A short period of gentle braking is needed to restore the rotors but it can be annoying and sometimes the braking performance is temporarily affected. 7. For effective disc brakes you need stiff front wheels to transfer the very considerable braking force from the hub to to the rim. Without this the braking performance on the limit can be very bad. Not all wheels being sold are stiff enough.

You can't beat the old foot in the back tyre!

I remember the halcyon days when I was a Postman in the 1980s riding my Pashley steel delivery bike. Memories flood back with the sun warming my face, my blazer gently flapping in the summer breeze. I pulled my Rod brakes making the rubber blocks sound like a skylark dancing in the clear blue sky as they softly gripped the rims, my eyes would gently dilate with the sensation of been at one with the world as I tumbled over the handle bars into a stationary car at the lights.

I think we need reassurance that no lobsters were harmed in the making of this video 🤣

Rim brakes for me, stiffer wheels at a lower spoke count, lighter wheels & I don't have any particular issue with rim brakes.

rim brake wheels can be built way lighter, which likely accounts for the snappier acceleration.

having rim brakes on road bike: ok ok it's fine having rim brakes on mtb: so you have chosen death

So helpful to hear you mention the ease of transport for rim brake bikes. I think that point tipped me over to the side of rim brakes.

After years of being happy with rim brakes I was blown away by the power of discs when I first used them, especially on long descents or in traffic, but agree that they take much more looking after.

This is the most fair video about the disc vs. rim discussion I've seen so far. Thanks for that, love your channel!

Yes this was a good video I like the way you have broke this down about the pros & cons and how each type of brake would be most effective without being biased this is one of the best videos I have watched on this topic thanks a lot, it has also helped me to make up my mind about what to go for 😁👍🏾

Your video is awesome. Finally, someone who gets to the point instead of a super long monologue.

Great video, super informative. Living in really steep Los Angeles I love the feeling on the disc brakes. I feel so safe. I do have both.

You forgot to mention that rim brake is much easier to work with when changing/repairing flat tire. With disc brake you need that special wrench to remove that big bolt and for road cycling that wrench is hard to carry.

I like the looks of the disc aero bikes. The hidden cable look is great in my opinion. The calipers are moved and you have no rim brake track which looks nicer too

Hanging pads are a problem on several discbrakes ! You might not notice that much while on the track, but on the road up hill, it's a pain.

You covered it all! Disc brakes (probably rim brakes also) I think work best with thru axles when you are taking your wheels off frequently. I have skewers on both types and have to use a feeler 0.010" gauge when I remount my disc brake wheels if I am to be sure they won't be rubbing when I lock down the skewer.

RB are tech relics already. The only reasons why we still see them are fashion of older/poorer riders and the price issue.

Ice and snow on rim brakes is mad. Main reason I bought a disk equipped bike, and now a disk equipped fat tire bike. Commuting in Anchorage Alaska is no joke. Cheers!