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The Benefits of Disc Brakes

Road bikes are taking a hot twist in 2016 with the introduction of disc brakes. That’s right, no longer will you have to pull hard on your levers and wait for your brakes to scrape the rims to a stop – disc brakes are quick, effective and a lot more powerful!

Since the UCI announced that they are legalising the use of disc brakes in the professional road racing calendar in 2016, the cycling world has taken on a new phenomenon and we are very excited at PBK.

Disc brakes are one of the biggest developments in road bike technology with innumerable benefits that combined, will enhance your performance as a road cyclist – if they are good enough to take to the professional peloton, then they are good enough for us (and you)!

What are Disc Brakes?

Bike disc brakes are typically used in mountain bike disciplines with Shimano being one of the best disc brake manufactures in the world and renowned for the top class performance. There had been talk for many years that disc brakes would come to road bikes and finally Shimano have brought this to us.

Many years ago mountain bikes used rim brakes, but as things developed and terrain proving too difficult for the calliper brake, due to the mud and the wet making it difficult for the brake pads to perform, disc brakes were introduced for a more effective, sharper, safer braking system.

Positioned on the outside of the hub of your rear and front wheel, bike disc brakes function by either hydraulics or cable braking, with the former being the far better option. Hydraulic disc brake systems have improved power and modulation as well as automatic pad wear adjustment.

What is available at ProBikeKit?

  • Shimano Clincher Rear Wheel

Both the front and rear wheels are available at ProBikeKit. These wheels have a 24 mm high profile aluminium rim for improved aero dynamics and an easy to use Centre-Lock rotor mount for use with disc brakes.

 

  • Fulcrum Racing Sport Clincher Disc Brake Wheelset

This Fulcrum Racing Sport Disc wheels are a great all round wheelset. You can use them all year, even when the weather turns very wet. Being disc brake specific, they offer greater versatility and much better braking performance. These are a fantastic value wheelset.

 

  • Fulcrum Racing Quattro Carbon Clincher Wheelset

This Racing Quattro Carbon incorporates an extremely advanced carbon fibre rim which allows for less rotational weight and thus increased reactivity in addition to an overall lower weight and an aerodynamic shape that reduces drag.

 

  • Shimano Hydraulic Disc Brake 

Sold in a pair, Shimano’s Di2 Hydraulic Disc Brake  use the di2 shifting technology with the hydraulic brakes built in. This is the ultimate in braking and shifting performance.

  • Shimano Carbon Laminate

With both front and rear wheels available, the Shimano Carbon Laminate Clincher wheels suit both amateur and professional riders wishing to gain an advantage.

Benefits of Disc Brakes

The performance benefits of disc brakes are substantial as they have many attributes that will make you the best in the peloton. Here are a collection of reasons why the switch to disc brakes in 2016 road cycling is a great development to the road disc movement:

  1. They Don't Wear Rims Out

    With roads getting wetter, muddier, and grittier, the need for disc brakes have become ever more popular, especially in the winter. For most, its quite an appealing thought to have the confidence in knowing your rims remain untouched and therefore won’t wear out.

  2.  They have Better Stopping Power

    Stopping power is much more reliable when using disc brakes. Braking distance can be reduced by up to 50% with a hydraulic brake system, which is favoured over cable systems, giving you – the rider – more confidence in tricky situations and long steep fast descents.

  3. They Offer Great Modulation

    Disc brakes offer a fantastic modulation which creates the opportunity for the rider to control braking forces much easier. The rider will be able to access the range of braking evenly giving them fine control over how fast or slow the rider wants to stop offering a precise feel of control.

  4. All-weather Efficiency

    Bike disc brakes in general give a constant performance in all weather conditions – this is not just limited to one discipline. Braking in the rain is much better and more reliable and they don’t fade in the wet weather, giving you much more confidence in riding in adverse conditions – great news, you can now ride your carbon wheel in the wet!

  5. Less Maintenance

    If you think that disc brakes are more maintenance, then think again! They come with a lot less maintenance than expected.

    The brake pads are longer lasting than a standard dual pivot calliper brake and also with the added longevity of your rims makes your wheels last longer.

  6. They are Safer

    Safety is another factor, especially with the rise of carbon rims on road bikes. Bike disc brakes dissipate heat without overheating the rim and in some cases causing brake failure.

  7. Confidence in your Ride

    With all of the above benefits combined, bike disc brakes give you a lot more confidence in your ride!

What’s your opinion on the introduction of disc brakes to road bikes this year? Let us know in the comments!



Elizabeth Demetriou

Elizabeth Demetriou

Editor

I'm a runner at heart but since shin splints became a big part of my life, I turned to cycling as a form of cross training. I love riding track and am a regular on the Manchester velodrome; on the road I ride a Trek Lexa and I call it Toby.


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