Disc brakes on a bicycle: types, brands, selection and installation

Any transport must have one or another type of brakes. The bicycle is no exception. Disc brakes are often used on bicycles, which allow you to quickly stop the bike and not create unnecessary stress.

There are many types of braking devices. Their disk version is excellent in conditions when you need to provide increased cross-country ability. It allows the cyclist to compete with confidence against motorcyclists and SUV owners.

The device usually includes:

• control handle;
• a rotary disc responsible for stopping;
• mounting bracket (sometimes it is replaced with an adapter);
• a caliper attached with a bracket or adapter (a fundamentally important detail);
• abrasive pads (if necessary, stopping the rotor);
• brake lines, which allow the transfer of force from the handle to the actuators.

Different types of disc brakes differ in design and performance. The larger the rotor diameter, the more efficient the operation of the unit. But that doesn't mean that a very large rotor is always better. It can only be used with sufficiently strong wheel spokes. Sometimes these needles even need to be replaced.

"Disc" has much better modulation than "rim". He, undoubtedly, is ahead of the following types in this parameter:

• tick-borne;
• cantilever brake;
• the finest V-Brake.

And what's interesting is even an increase in the thickness of the pad hardly helps to smooth out this difference. But the specifics are not limited to such a moment. Any rim gets more clogged than the rotor. And it is worth getting on the contacting surface of a liquid or an abrasive substance (especially sand), as the work of the system is immediately upset. Little of, the disc version also works great when the bike "writes out eights".

The disc-based system contains only 2 parts subject to intense wear - these are pads and rotor.

But all this does not mean that disc brakes are devoid of disadvantages at all. Having chosen them, you need to be prepared for the following nuances:

• very powerful bending effect on the needles;
• increased weight of the structure;
• difficulties with repairs;
• difficulties with installing the rack (except for the console version) when using the rear disc brake;
• a fairly high price;
• focusing mainly on off-road and mountain difficult roads, and not on urban asphalt.

The mechanical type of bicycle brake parts is equipped with a cable type drive. The result is a relatively simple and highly reliable solution. The principle of operation is amazingly simple:

• the cyclist presses a special handle;
• the movable block is triggered;
• it presses the disc against the stationary pad.

However, such a technical solution is very rare. Mechanical disc brakes will have to be constantly tuned. More precisely, you will need to adjust the clearance separating the pads from the rotor. Otherwise, the brake lever will fall through all the time, and instead of pressing the disc against the worn block, it will be pressed against the caliper.

In such a situation, the disruption of the system is inevitable. In addition, it loses power significantly. But the clearance adjustment does not present any problems. If done correctly, rapid wear is guaranteed.

Choosing mechanical disc brakes is not as easy as it sounds. Their main disadvantage is high price. More precisely, you can buy a cheap option, but there is a great risk of coming with it to the wrong place. The most worthy offers, according to professionals, are put forward by the company Avid. "Mechanics" from Shimano or Tektro not inferior in quality, but allows you to save a little.

For this reason, they only become more expensive. If you want to cut costs further, it is best to use hydraulic brakes in the right price range. But the mechanical type has an advantage in another - it is great for tackling off-road and poorly maintained road sections.

This circumstance will be appreciated, of course, by both tourists and rural residents. And even those who like to make trips to the forest, fishing, to the suburbs. "Mechanics" are simply more reliable - even in the event of a fall or collision with an obstacle. And if it breaks, then no problems with the repair should arise. Unfortunately, these advantages are overshadowed by the increased severity of purely mechanical braking systems and their poor modulation.

While mechanical brakes transfer momentum from the stick to the brake block via a cable, hydraulic brakes use a hydraulic system filled with a specially selected fluid for this purpose. Regardless of how they are arranged, the size can be very different:

• 140 mm;
• 160 mm;
• 180 mm;
• 220 mm.

It is believed that discs larger than 180 mm are not needed for a trip through the forest. Freeride fans are advised to focus on the size of 180 or 185 mm. Downhill mode (downhill) is more demanding on braking. Here you will already need discs with a size of 200, 210 or even 220 mm. The same can be said for extreme track bikes.

The pads can be arranged in various ways. In some cases, they are made from organic substances, in others, they are metallized. The metallized look involves the combination of steel filings with carbon. It turns out:

• mechanically solid;
• long serving;
• excellent contact even with wet discs type of pad.

However, they cannot be considered the best for all situations. The fact is that during operation, the metallized product will be very hot. The caliper will overheat too. For the hydraulic system, elevated temperatures are undeniably harmful. With a mechanical system, everything is not so simple, but it is unlikely that warming up will be useful for it.

Because of this, the discs themselves will heat up during braking. Squeaks will not be heard, and lapping is fast; however, organic pads will wear off quickly. Calipers are needed for the same purpose as calipers on motorcycles and cars. They are only slightly smaller in size. The hydraulic caliper includes a die-cast metal body, piston, hydraulic block. The fluid flow moves the piston. And already he moves the block and secures the disc.

The mechanical caliper has a different structure. This is a cam mechanism. A lever is placed outside, on which the cable is attached. The resulting impulse can be transmitted to the piston using:

• cam;
• wedge;
• multi-thread screw.

How smoothly the bike comes to a stop is determined by the pad filler. But it is much more important to take into account the place of a certain brand in the overall rating. The cheapest rotary mechanical brakes. You will have to pay for Shimano, Tektro, Aquila products on average 20-30 conventional units. The middle price group (up to $ 100) includes products from the same Shimano, as well as:

• Avid Elixir;
• Magura;
• XLC;
• Hayes.

In the high-end segment, there are also products of the already listed companies. But you will also have to pay from 100 to 500 USD for SRAM, Formula products. If we talk about specific models, deserves attention Shimano Deore. This modification is powerful and ergonomic at the same time. They note the high power and smooth stopping, as well as the presence of two types of pads in the delivery set.

SRAM Guide R slightly inferior to the leader of the rating. With such components, you can safely hit the road on the most difficult terrain. The smoothness of the ride is great enough. It will be possible to adjust it without additional tools. The system is efficient in almost all weather conditions.

Brake force one - comfortable and lightweight brakes made in Germany. And not just lightweight, but one of the lightest in its class. The handles are made of durable fiberglass. The need for pumping is reduced to zero. This model allows you to demonstrate excellent results in the cycling marathon and in the cross-country races.

Mechanical disc brakes are set like this:

• flip the bike;
• remove the wheel;
• remove the caliper and disc;
• take out the cable;
• release previously installed brakes;
• attach the rotor with screws to the sleeve;
• put the brake lever;
• mount the lever and cable;
• put the adapter on the frame, just not to the end, so that later it can be adjusted;
• attach the cable to the caliper;
• put the wheel back in place;
• make final adjustments.

Working with hydraulics is structured differently:

• after removing the wheel, a disc is placed instead of the bushing;
• the hydraulic line is closed on the lever;
• the frame is supplemented with a caliper and adapter (also without tightening it all the way);
• put the wheel back;
• put back the rotor;
• straighten the hydraulic line with clamps;
• scrupulously test it;
• Having achieved the correct installation of the caliper, all parts of the circuit are rigidly fixed.

In the following video, you will learn how to properly set up disc brakes.