5 Advantages of Hydraulic Disk Brakes on Mountain
Hydraulic Disk Braking System Advantages for Mountain Bike Riders by Eddie Aguilar
Disc brakes for mountain bikes have been used for years and have proven to have the upper hand over conventional pad braking systems. Today, disc brakes are used on mountain bikes, road
bikes, and hybrid bikes. They consist of
a metal disc which is attached to the wheel hub at the center of the wheel in
such a way that they become part of the wheel and rotates with the wheel. Disc
brakes function by squeezing the pads together causing the wheel to slow down
and eventually stop. Compared to the more traditional rim brakes, disc brakes
are quite superior. They produce a greater braking power while being rim
friendly and they are consistent in their power regardless of the weather
conditions. Not to mention, they can quickly and easily be
configured for different wheel types and sizes, and have an improved mechanical
functionality. Although they may be quite expensive, disc brakes are highly
effective, reliable, and durable. They are worth using especially in serious
mountain biking events like racing where you might need brakes to avoid a crash.
Strength,
Braking Power and Improved Modulation of Braking Power - Disk
brakes are made of metal rather than rubber making them stronger and more
durable than rim brakes. They are attached to the wheels, rather than being in
tandem with the wheels making them even stronger. The disc braking system
features an extended travel in the braking leverage system. This presents the
rider with a wide range modulation of braking power. It also uses less finger
pressure on the levers to produce powerful braking.
All
Weather and Multi Terrain Capabilities - Mountain bikes are
made to be used on all kinds of terrains and in all kinds of climatic
conditions. Disc brakes are fixed at the center of the wheel; closer to the hub
than the ground, therefore they are less affected by mud, water snow or ice.
You can ride them on slippery wet trails, muddy roads, snow and all kinds of
terrains. Water does not act as a lubricant to metal as much as it does do
rubber. Therefore, disc brakes; which are made of metal, are seldom affected
when it comes to contact with water hence, they maintain their excellent
efficiency and braking power regardless of the terrain and the weather
conditions.
Disc
Brakes are Rim Friendly - Since disc brakes are fixed at the
center of the wheels; as part of the wheels, they do not come into contact with
the rim at any moment or in any way. Therefore, the friction produced while
braking does not affect the rim in any way. Moreover, they do not pile up
particles and debris such as sand, sticks and twigs on the rim; which usually
scrape the rim, wearing it out and weakening it in the braking process.
No
tire overheating – When riding in an extremely hot weather, a
prolonged use of brakes in the traditional rim braking system overheats the
rim, weakening the rubber on the tires. This can cause the tires to burst or
wear out quickly. This is not the case with disc brakes. Disk brakes aren't
connected with the rim or the tires. So when excessive braking is done in hot
weather, it is the disc itself that gets heated. Since these discs have holes
drilled on them, they dissipate heat faster than a rim would do. The heat
dissipation mechanism of the disc brake also allows it to maintain its
efficiency and braking power.
Multiple
Wheel Configurations - off-road riding in different types of
climatic conditions and different types of terrains require different sets of
wheels. For example, icy roads require a totally different set of wheels from
muddy and sandy terrains in terms of the wheel size in thickness and grip patterns.
This will prompt you to keep changing or switching between wheels to suit the
terrains. With disc brakes, you do not
have to reconfigure your braking system to suit the new set of tires. Moreover,
changing between wheels is very quick and easy. All you need to do is to change
the wheels then reattach the disc brake back to its position and you are good
to go.
Shimano Ice Technology for Hydraulic Braking Systems
The disc brakes catapult the mountain bike riding into a
higher degree of mountain biking experience. With its strength, power, improved
modulation of braking power, and its ability to resist overheating, preserve
the rim, and be used in all weather and terrains, the disc brakes make the
mountain bike a more capable off-road bike. They are strong and durable since
they are made of metal. They get their extra power by taking advantage of their
position on the wheels. At the center of
the wheel, they are far away from impurities such as water, mud, snow and sand.
This makes them retain their braking power regardless of weather and terrain.
They do not come into contact with the rim, hence preserving the rim and
avoiding overheating. And when you need to change your tires to suit a new
terrain and weather condition, you simply mount your disc brake back on the
wheel and off you go. You can find more reading on disk brakes on www.bicycling.com If you have any questions on hydraulic braking systems for mountain bikes please leave a comment below or give us a call. Happy Trails!
Blue Sky Cycling |
2530 Randolph St. |
Huntington Park, Ca 90255 |
(323) 585-3934 |
www.blueskycycling.com |
info@blueskycycling.com |
3 comments:
Discs provide powerful and reliable braking in all types of weather and terrain so they're ideal for trail riding. I like disc brakes for these reasons: they're easier to keep oil off than rims bent wheels don't rub, easier to adjust, easier to get wheels in and out, my rims don't wear out. disc brake road wheels
First of all i would like to thank you for the great and informative entry. I has to admit that I have never heard about this information I have noticed many new facts for me. Thanks a lot for sharing this useful and attractive information and I will be waiting for other interesting posts from you in the nearest future. Keep it up.disc brake road wheels
Yeah great information on disk brakes! I had no idea there was so much to the braking system.
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