Mountain Bike Disk Brakes Vs Rim Brakes

With the recent inclusion of disc brakes in today s pro peloton the debate between rim brakes and disc brakes has been heating up.

Mountain bike disk brakes vs rim brakes. Bikes with rim brakes tend to be more aerodynamic. Road style caliper brakes can t deal with a build up of mud. The pads squeeze on the rim to stop the bike. Here s another area where disc brakes win.

Rim brakes are the most common on bicycles. You can help your rim brake performance in the wet. That doesn t mean that if you run rim brakes you re going to crash into the first corner you come across in the rain well you might but it isn t because of your brakes. Installing and setting up rim brakes is much easier than disc brakes.

However cantilever rim brakes or v brakes are actually pretty good with gloop. First the rider squeezes the lever on the handlebars and next cable transmits to the pads. They started with the original cantilever brakes went through the dark u brake years and are now known as v brakes. A bike with rim brakes is typically lighter than the same bike with disc brakes.

Disc brakes will offer you better braking in the rain that rim brakes. However if you have your disc brakes set up correctly switching wheels becomes easier rim brakes are typically more affordable. Mountain bike rim brakes have gone through several design changes over the years. This guide highlights the major differences between rim and disc brakes the pros and cons of each braking system and whether the upgrade to disc brakes is worth the pricetag.

V brakes work well in most conditions.