Discs on a road bike, any converts?

[jamiebae]

I went out for a ride this morning, part of it involved a very twisty descent through a town, between 8 and 18% gradient for about 1km with junctions all over the place. The modulation and sheer power of the Avid BB7 road discs is unbelievable coming from caliper brakes. Although you can get enough power to lock a wheel with rim brakes it's so much easier to judge where the limit is with discs so there's none of the 'will it or won't it' feeling.

Yes, they're heavier, and yes they're probably overkill, and yes you can't race with them, but for a recreational rider of limited to middling ability I think they're just fantastic. I sense my next bike purchase might be a Genesis Equilibrium disc frame to build up as a commuter and replace my Volant.

[dome]

I've just built up a flat barred road bike to commute on-it uses a Boardman Hybrid Pro frame but I've put skinny wheels and 25c tyres on. With mechanical discs it's got loads of confidence inspiring stopping power but not too much to overcome the tyres in normal use. Only commuted on it but looking forward to longer rides in the lighter evenings.

[TheFungle]

Aside from the aesthetic issue I can't really think of a reason not to use discs, especially if you ride in all conditions all year long.

[thetrash]

I agree, my future winter bike purchase will have them. What are peoples ideas on ones to go for for 1k-1.5k?

[jamiebae]

I want one of these:

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/sportive-...

But I'd probably buy the frame and build up a cheaper version as a winter bike rather than the 105 equipped version here though. Proper tyre clearances and mudguard/rack mounts are ideal for a winter bike too.

I have an Eastway RD 1.0 which is carbon, with SRAM Force and I paid less than the bottom end of your budget, but that was a tax free export price from Wiggle, who don't sell them in the UK. RRP is £2k but maybe there will be discounts to be had at UK sellers as it's a 2013 bike.

[Yatesy350i]

I've been mountain biking for years. But only started RD biking resently. The first time I had to brake with any urgency I was horrified how crap rim brakes are compared to disc brakes.

However I think they are just different. If you know what you are doing rim brakes are fine. Look at the pros covering massive distances at insane speeds they are mostly still on conventional brakes.

If you are like me and one of the real size riders 14 and a bit stone. Disc brake wouldn't do any harm

For all you fit skinny blokes rims brakes are more than ok. (I'm still on rims by the way but as weight is no issue wouldn't mind some real brakes especially in the wet)

[Dammit]

[jamiebae]

I'm 186cm and 61kg so pretty skinny, and I still notice the difference on discs rather than rim brakes. Yes, the pro riders manage fine on old fashioned brakes but one of the main issues preventing discs being used in UCI races is the massive difference in stopping distances if some riders convert and others use caliper brakes which will cause accidents.

[daddy cool]

I have Ultegra brakes on my road bike, and in the dry they are great - nearly did an endo when I had to do an emergency stop last week. In the wet, hopeless.
Im very seriously considering a Boardman CX as a winter/commuter bike.

In other disc brake news, just back from my first MTB ride for months, in the dark, in Swinley. First time using my newly fitted SLX brakes. Even though they aren't bedded it there was masses of stopping power. Think they are a good upgrade over the Avids...

[Ponk]

I'm first in line for these when they become mainstream (I.e. Once the UCI say oui).

Love the look of the Roubaix SL4 with discs but my next bike will be racier than a Roubaix.

[bakerstreet]

I took out my first ever disc equipped bike today (Planet X CX Bike). I recon my SRAM Force brakes have more power and feel in the dry, but as others say, its in the crappy damp conditions where the discs will be more predictable compared to caliper brakes.

The other major benefit is that they aren't wearing out expensive rims

Not sure I would ever go for full on disc road bike.

[thetrash]

bakerstreet said:

I took out my first ever disc equipped bike today (Planet X CX Bike). I recon my SRAM Force brakes have more power and feel in the dry, but as others say, its in the crappy damp conditions where the discs will be more predictable compared to caliper brakes.

The other major benefit is that they aren't wearing out expensive rims

Not sure I would ever go for full on disc road bike.

Has it got mudguard eyelets?

[Alex Langheck]

Ponk said:

I'm first in line for these when they become mainstream (I.e. Once the UCI say oui).

Love the look of the Roubaix SL4 with discs but my next bike will be racier than a Roubaix.

I don't know what the problem is; the UCI are even worse than the FiA for heads in the sand.

If they sell them in the shops, then you should be able to race them. MTB, CX have them, so why not the Road??

[bakerstreet]

thetrash said:

Has it got mudguard eyelets?

No it doesn't, but this really shouldn't be a deal breaker! Its designed as a race frame with cage bolts as a token gesture (pukka CX race frames don't have cage bolts)

I shall just get the SKS race blades fitted.

[TheInternet]

TheFungle said:

Aside from the aesthetic issue I can't really think of a reason not to use discs, especially if you ride in all conditions all year long.

Weight? Last time I checked it was about 1/2 kg penalty, might be better now.

[Seight_Returns]

TheInternet said:

Weight? Last time I checked it was about 1/2 kg penalty, might be better now.

Yep. People get obsessive about weight on road wheels - no-one is going to blow £400+ on a 2.5kg wheelset.

The reality is that whilst rotational mass undeniably has a significant effect on the feel of a road bike, it's the distribution of weight and the rotational moment of inertia that makes the difference, extra weight close to the centre of rotation isn't the end of the world - particularly when it brings the compelling advantages that disc brakes bring, even more so if despite making the wheel heavier overall if lets you use a lighter rim.

[shouldbworking]

I went with discs on my commuter (boardman cx team). combination of all weather stopping ability and not wearing out wheels made it a no brainer.