Disc brakes on road bikes

[gearmeister]

Any thought for discussion on this topic? Are disc brakes the way of the future or are they considered too dangerous from a heat and slicing perspective to be considered safe on the road racing circuit?

[firerescuefin]

Search function will provide you lots of opinions

[dustyrider]

Oh boy!

[bargainguy]

I think the jury's still out on this one. Perhaps the technology is too much in its infancy at this point. Might become mainstream if innovative ways are found to work the bugs out. I believe Magura has been doing extensive work here and found a lot more obstacles than first thought.

[FlashUNC]

[TimD]

[William]

That would make night rides some fun now wouldn't it?!







William

[KidWok]

Definitely a "wait and see" thing for me. In two years' time when people start raving about how awesome it is and it appears there aren't any problems, maybe I'll get some. In the meantime, very happy with current brake technology on my road bikes and happy with mechanical disc brakes on my commuter.

Tai

[10-4]

I obviously have a road bike with road calipers on it, Dura-Ace 9000 to be exact. They work amazingly well.

I also have a bike with SRAM Red Hydro discs. They work way better than I expected.

The lever pressure needed on the hydro is nice, light, smooth.

Discs are here to stay, like it or not. They are way better than cantis, but I don't feel leaps and bounds above road calipers.

But, what do I know?

[VA-Scooter]

I have a CX bike with disc that I use mostly on the road. I agree they are better than canti's but probably not any better than good road brakes. But I like running wide tires so they are great for me.

[bewheels]

I think this falls under the "it depends" category. It depends on what type of riding you plan on doing with a "road bike". Racing on a paved road circuit, no they are not better. Cross, dirt roads, touring, etc with fatter tires and/or bad weather they provide improved stopping power and feel in my opinion.

[jpw]

I watched the recent F1 race at Monza. the TV coverage used a thermal imaging camera to show the heat in the discs of the cars.

I'd like to see something similar on twisty Tdf mountain descents to see how much heat builds up on rim walls.

Seeing them scream down the Poggio might be interesting too.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by gearmeister

Any thought for discussion on this topic? Are disc brakes the way of the future or are they considered too dangerous from a heat and slicing perspective to be considered safe on the road racing circuit?

I have road discs. 622mm rotor, rubber compound disc brake pads..works great.

Can't wait to see neutral service cars swap out wheels for disc brake bikes at the Grand tours..gonna be comedy central.

[corky]

disc rub will drive roadies nuts....

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by corky

disc rub will drive roadies nuts....

not if they don't use them............................................!!