Disc brake options

Brian L

2006-07-20

In my experience being hydraulic or mechanical does not make a noticeable
difference in squealing probablility. With mine the squeal never lasts
long. As far as adjustment, the hydros should automatically center around
the rotor. (Well, that's the theory. I've had stuck pistons before.) You
need to make sure the caliper body is centered on the rotor though.

I only have discs on my mountain bikes, but I like hydraulic because I can
use one finger and the modulation with the shimanos is very good. I
switched from the Avid mechanicals because they required more force and I'm
delicate. And for winter riding I don't have to worry about the hydros
getting gunked up. I never had problems with locking up with either the
Avids or Shimanos. Like I said, I'm delicate.

Note that many people I know love mechanical (Avid) because they are less
complex and can probably be fixed on the trail, whereas if the hydros lose
the seal you're screwed. And unless you use mineral oil (like shimano),
you'll need to call HAZMAT.

This is all from the mtb perspective, but I hope it helps.

-brian

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of KG
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 10:22 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Disc brake options

I put a cheap mechanical Tektro on the front wheel of my commuter and have
been reasonably content. I'm looking at changing to hydraulic for two
reasons: Mechanical requires (almost) too much grip force. And it squeals
with the right conditions. If I can add on to your question:

Do most disks squeal some of the time? Does anyone have disks that never
squeal? Does anyone make a caliper with a floating piston (like a car) that
don't require adjustment? Tx, Kyle

----- Original Message ----
From: "Long, Steve"
To: Craig Austin ; obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 10:04:44 AM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Disc brake options

Opps, I should have added that they will be used mostly on the road for
commuting and winter training. :)

_____

From: Craig Austin [mailto:austinc@exponent.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 10:03 AM
To: Long, Steve
Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] Disc brake options

If you're planning to use drop bars or even mustache bars, you're probably
limited to mechanical (cable actuated) discs. Hydraulics aren't available
with road levers to my knowledge. As for how they work, I've use the Avids
and Hayes mechanicals, and Avid Juicy Seven hydraulics. The hydros are a bit
nicer but both work fine and are a big improvement over cantis or v-brakes,
especially in mud. Mechanicals are easier to set up, don't require bleeding,
and work with a variety of levers (you can also use inline top-mount levers
if you wish, which you can't do with hydros). Hydraulics are more powerful
and a bit smoother, but for 'cross they aren't necessary.

Craig

_____

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Long, Steve
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 9:57 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Disc brake options

Hi all.

All your, appreciated, comments on my Redline question have raised another
issue I'd like to have your opinions on.

Since I haven't used discs before, I don't know how these things feel.
Some have said that hydraulic brakes modulate better but require more
maintenance than say the Avids, which are pretty trouble free but don't
modulate that well (maybe locking up the wheels???).

Are they things pretty easy to get used to?
Which do you prefer?

Thanks for your patience with all my newbie questions here.

Steve Long
NRR

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I put a cheap mechanical Tektro on the front wheel of my commuter and have been reasonably content. I'm looking at changing to hydraulic for two reasons: Mechanical requires (almost) too much grip force. And it squeals with the right conditions. If I can add on to your question:

Do most disks squeal some of the time? Does anyone have disks that never squeal? Does anyone make a caliper with a floating piston (like a car) that don't require adjustment? Tx, Kyle

----- Original Message ----
From: "Long, Steve"
To: Craig Austin ; obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 10:04:44 AM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Disc brake options

Disc brake options Opps, I should have added that they will be used mostly on the road for commuting and winter training. :)

From: Craig Austin [mailto:austinc@exponent.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 10:03 AM
To: Long, Steve
Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] Disc brake options


If you're planning to use drop bars or even mustache bars, you're probably limited to mechanical (cable actuated) discs. Hydraulics aren't available with road levers to my knowledge. As for how they work, I've use the Avids and Hayes mechanicals, and Avid Juicy Seven hydraulics. The hydros are a bit nicer but both work fine and are a big improvement over cantis or v-brakes, especially in mud. Mechanicals are easier to set up, don't require bleeding, and work with a variety of levers (you can also use inline top-mount levers if you wish, which you can't do with hydros). Hydraulics are more powerful and a bit smoother, but for 'cross they aren't necessary.

Craig

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of Long, Steve
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 9:57 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Disc brake options


Hi all.
All your, appreciated, comments on my Redline question have raised another issue I'd like to have your opinions on.
Since I haven't used discs before, I don't know how these things feel.
Some have said that hydraulic brakes modulate better but require more maintenance than say the Avids, which are pretty trouble free but don't modulate that well (maybe locking up the wheels???).
Are they things pretty easy to get used to?
Which do you prefer?
Thanks for your patience with all my newbie questions here.
Steve Long
NRR
_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org


Long, Steve

2006-07-20

Opps, I should have added that they will be used mostly on the road for
commuting and winter training. :)

________________________________

From: Craig Austin [mailto:austinc@exponent.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 10:03 AM
To: Long, Steve
Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] Disc brake options

If you're planning to use drop bars or even mustache bars, you're
probably limited to mechanical (cable actuated) discs. Hydraulics aren't
available with road levers to my knowledge. As for how they work, I've
use the Avids and Hayes mechanicals, and Avid Juicy Seven hydraulics.
The hydros are a bit nicer but both work fine and are a big improvement
over cantis or v-brakes, especially in mud. Mechanicals are easier to
set up, don't require bleeding, and work with a variety of levers (you
can also use inline top-mount levers if you wish, which you can't do
with hydros). Hydraulics are more powerful and a bit smoother, but for
'cross they aren't necessary.

Craig

________________________________

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Long, Steve
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 9:57 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Disc brake options

Hi all.

All your, appreciated, comments on my Redline question have raised
another issue I'd like to have your opinions on.

Since I haven't used discs before, I don't know how these things feel.
Some have said that hydraulic brakes modulate better but require more
maintenance than say the Avids, which are pretty trouble free but don't
modulate that well (maybe locking up the wheels???).

Are they things pretty easy to get used to?
Which do you prefer?

Thanks for your patience with all my newbie questions here.

Steve Long
NRR


Long, Steve

2006-07-20

Hi all.

All your, appreciated, comments on my Redline question have raised
another issue I'd like to have your opinions on.

Since I haven't used discs before, I don't know how these things feel.
Some have said that hydraulic brakes modulate better but require more
maintenance than say the Avids, which are pretty trouble free but don't
modulate that well (maybe locking up the wheels???).
Are they things pretty easy to get used to?
Which do you prefer?

Thanks for your patience with all my newbie questions here.

Steve Long
NRR