Rim brakes | Icon Cycles

I am often asked “When buying a bike should I have disc brakes or standard rim brakes?”. This is a question that has brought up a fair bit of debate in the industry so I thought I would talk about the advantages and disadvantages of each variation.

There are two types of disc brakes available on the market, your budget will play a part in what type you chose

Mechanical Disc Brakes

Mechanical disc brakes use a standard lever to operate a cable that pulls the calliper to engage the disc rotor.

Advantages

Lower cost to purchase
Easy to adjust
No specialist tools needed
Perform well in wet conditions

Disadvantage

Less powerful compared with hydraulics
More maintenance compared with hydraulics
Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Hydraulic disc brakes

Hydraulic disc brakes use a lever filled with hydraulic fluid that is pushed down a hose in to a callipers pistons that then press together to engage the disc rotor.

Advantages

Powerful braking system
Often self adjusting
Low maintenance
Perform well in wet conditions

Disadvantage

Higher cost

Disc rotors come in a few different common sizes 140, 160, 180 and 203mm. They also have other uncommon sizes available on the market but are rarely seen on a standard bike. Generally the bigger the disc rotor the more stopping power.

Rim Brakes

Rim brakes are any braking system that engage the rim of the bike. Common types include V brakes, U brakes, cantilever brakes, pivot brake and horse shoe brake, all of these braking systems work by using a standard lever to operate a cable that pulls the calliper to engage the rim. Each brake is used for different styles of bikes however the V – brake is becoming the norm on many of today’s bikes.