When Use Disc? V-Brake?

Alnamvet

"They are better" is a subjective comment; better all around performance, MAYBE, to a pro, but for the average Joe, I cannot see how he/she can scientifically deduce that discs are better; AND, they are not similarly priced, unless you include the cheap discs, in which case, you have all show, and no go. Discs have their place in Pro downhill, but not needed by amateurs/dilitantes, weekend warriors, or everday commuters.

Hecubus

Are you listening to what your saying? Only useful to a pro? Does that mean that anyone who doesn't have a major sponsor or get paid to ride is not worthy of riding discs? Your coment is the most absurd thing I've ever heard. I don't know how you ride but almost every one I know and ride with is skilled enough, can ride agressively enough to be take some serious advantage of discs. What about everyone who races for fun, are they not good enough either because they are not a s good as Roland Green. Give me a break. Anyone who rides a mountain bike and wants it to stop will be able to take advantage of a disc system pretty much regardless of skill level. Regardless of experience anyone will notice stopping power whether its muddy wet or dry. Anyone can notice that hand fatigue can be drastically reduced since the lever force needed to actuate the levers is much less and you don't need to due a death grip. EVERYONE will appreciate being able to brake with confidence during an extended downhill run where V's will suffer from some very scary brake fade once they overheat. And I'm not talking about downhill racing, just any long downhill section that may be encountered in any normal XC trail. The list can go on.
And yes while discs are still somewhat more expensive depending on what you get there are still options available that are even cheaper than a good set of V's. There are Hayes, Shimano, and possibly even the Avid's that can be had for around $100, maybe even less for BOTH wheels. A set of quality hubs for discs such as XT's or Deore's are not any more expensive than the non-disc versions and Disc specific rims cost about the same.

Alnamvet

You can enjoy biking for what it is, or you can turn it into a money pit...to take perfectly good wheels, hubs, tires, brakes and cables, and change them out to accomodate the latest fad in braking is nonsense. If you buy a new complete bike that comes with discs, does that mean that bike is better braking than one that comes with v's? I think not. There are plenty of pros who do not use disc brakes, and the ones who do, seem to be more apt to be downhillers. A 40lb junker in the hands of a skilled rider will serve that rider well; a $3000+ show bike in the hands of Mr. DeepPockets is just that...show!! Read your own rant..."...long downhill section..." if that's the ONLY type of riding you do, well than blow your wad on discs. I'll stick with what has always worked for me...downhill, uphill, urban assault...V's on a HT

Hecubus

There's a lot of things we don't need. Shocks? Gears? What else? Heck, who even needs V brakes. Hell, we should all be riding rigid single speeds because we really don't NEED everything else. Your argument boils down to showing your just a stuborn person who hates change. If you ever feel the need to give someone who's asking advice on the subject, actually state some real facts as to why you think the way you do. The bottom line is discs are superior to V's PERIOD. This isn't even an argument anymore, its a pretty generally accepted fact at this point. The same stupid argument happened when linear pull (V-brakes) started to replace cantilevers. Look around and see who the hell would still want to run a canti on their mountain bike.
Right now bikes at virtually every price point are comming with discs. Even some sub 700 dollar bikes can come with a good set of brakes from Avid or Hayes. Discs stopped being a fad a long time ago when they actually started to prove to be efficient and reliable.

stevemtbsteve

Hi all,

I'm with hecubus disc's a fad! not even an arguement. I learnt my lesson when I was a sceptic about front suspension forks, but would I ever go back to fully rigid.....NO! (maybe one day I'll come round to full sus, in time?)

the average joe arguement only cuts the mustard when people are talking about shaving a few grams here and there. U only have to ride a trail fast with disc'c to tell the difference. Or try to stop using V's behind someone using discs (only good if u like smelling ass)

I'm as sceptical as the next person when it comes to magazines telling what to use, but when a genuine move forward hits the bike world why shy away from it. Some people will go for disc's, some will go for V's, its a personnel choice not a performance choice. I think I'll just go back to polishing my elavated chain stays

Steve

Alnamvet

If you are riding so close to someone as if you're snorting for truffles, than no brake is gonna' keep you from getting a facefull of E-coli; for me, V-brakes are more than most "bikers" will ever need. If your bike came with discs, oh well. To change for the sake of change, it's your daddy's money. Sad that so few will never know the freedom of cycling when all they can think of is braking...me, I'll just apply the good ol' V's when I have had enough...I'll keep riding while you can keep on braking.

stevemtbsteve

Bit touchy on the subject are you!

there's never much point in argueing with someone who so desperately needs to be right!

v's or disc's it your choice, but there is no point in pretending there are no performance differences.

As for your petty insult, if i used to ride a bike with elavated chain stays I best go and rob daddies pension! tosser

Cheers
Steve

Alnamvet

touchy on the subject? Fail to see it. As to performance differences? well, the point of my arguement is the necessity of keeping up with the latest bike candy for recreational (read non-pro) riders. Yes, cheap bikes are now being sold on the market with FS, discs, etc...the point is, do you HAVE TO HAVE discs when you already have perfectly good V's already on your bike? Is the expense involved justifiable for the masses, or just for the few who ride downhill? BTW, I don't need to be right...I know I already am.