Should You Buy A Rim Or Disc Brake Road Bike Next? | GCN Tech Show Ep. 76

[@gcntech]

The can of worms is well and truly back open, which are you going to buy when you get a new bike?

[@AndrewTSq]

Rim brakes is best. I hate the maintance of hydralic brakes.

[@fj400007]

I just purchased a new BMC Teammachine Dura Ace and it's rim brakes equipped. I've been using disc brakes on all my mtb's since 1998, including my gravel bikes but, when it comes to my road bikes, I just prefer rim brakes.

[@kuma_score7536]

I would be getting disc brake or if I build a bike mechanical disc brakes for the best of both worlds.

[@jochem1986]

I have one road bike with rim brakes. And it's not even for me, but for my buddies. All of my other bikes have discs.

[@CEK0549]

I bought a new bike last year, with disc brakes, and I really like them.

[@MrHockaluger]

I've had both. On my latest used road bike, I went with a titanium frame, rim brakes, external cabling, and normal tubed setup. It's so great to ride and so simple to work on that I absolutely love this bike. Maybe in the future, I'll get another disc brake road bike with all the bells and whistles, but for now, the simplicity of my current bike fills my needs.

[@mrmarrow8918]

Ollie - personally I think your 'presenting style' has improved vastly over the last few months. Well done!

[@JibbaJabber]

Very true. But it's strange how his impersonations have done the exact opposite: 24:28 :-)

[@sevintrix2962]

crawlie

[@sueappleby2790]

ive always thought he was crap!... oh i ment to say rubish

[@owenvermeulen1231]

Rim for my Road Race Bike... Disc for my Winter traning bike....Oh and of course Disc for my Gravel/Cross Bike and Rim for TT rig!

[@paulogoulart6839]

Enough said!

[@endcensorship874]

Wow. Wish I could hit the lottery and afford so much. Good for you, I guess. Some of us can only afford one bike when it comes down to it.

[@owenvermeulen1231]

@@endcensorship874 I am not i wealthy guy at all, I am an artist that makes little, I just love cycling so much!! and i put in extra work with help from sponsors to be able to do what i love!

[@miyabe_k195]

@OldPlaces or ride everything and sell your car :)

[@Cyclingmasterseller]

Owen has got it, his opinion is like mine on steroids. Cool, or Bling as they say.

[@ripptorr]

I'm a bike mechanic and speakeng of servicing: Rim brakes- if you have to change the housing and cable pretty often these days you have to re-route them through the frame (which could be time consuming) measure and cut different housing pieces, have them sanded at the ends to straighten the cut, etc. Sometimes this can take one hour easily for 2 brakes. Also you will have to unwrap the bar tape and possibly install a new one because unwrapped tape often breakes. Disc brakes: Generally mineral oil based brakes are pretty easy to bleed, could take 20 mins or less sometimes to bleed both brakes and you're done. So yeah.. servicing I have to say disc brakes are easier (if we compare modern internally routed cable bikes). Installing them could take longer on disc brakes as the hydraulic hoses are a pain to route through a frame or fork. Oh and on the subject: I'd choose disc brakes. I went on a wet ride (I have carbon tubulars rim brakes) and just to hear the pads screatching the dirt and sand on the carbon wheels made me cry.. Even if the wheel is lightly wet (carbon rim especially) you loose at least 50% of stopping power.. Also rims won't be consumables as they won't wear from braking and brakes will feel about the same in any kind of weather and if you damage a wheel slightly you could get home without the pads touching the rim like crazy!

[@RyonBeachner]

I’m 175lbs, not light, not super heavy. I’m very mechanically savvy and capable of maintaining my bike mostly independently with the exception of certain specialty jobs. I recently traveled from LA to France with my bike and didn’t have any issues with disc brakes getting spongy and requiring a bleed, and although you have the added step of putting the spaces between the pads and removing the discs, I’m much more confident traveling to new areas when I don’t need to worry about rain. I enjoy a good fast descent, and the idea of a rim brake delaminating due to brake heat is not something I want in the back of my mind, and the idea that the very act of braking is wearing away at a high end wheelset is cringe inducing to me. Also factors, with how everyone is switching to disc brake, I’m reasonably certain that disc bikes resale will stay higher than rim moving forward, I replace my bike more often then most so I don’t take a big hit on value and can keep rolling my money into newer/nicer equipment. One argument to be made for rim is that because it’s falling out of favor, there’s some killer deals on some really nice wheel sets as they become useless to the person who’s going disc.

[@jdmbeaner182]

Disk brakes are superior in every way except for the weight. People complain about the maintenance but I haven't had to bleed my brakes on my mtb in years and I ride much rougher terrain.

[@RyonBeachner]

Alex Jones did nothing wrong Yeah, I’ve got ~2,000 miles on my bike and I’m yet to bleed the brakes. I’m getting close on pad wear, so I figure I’ll give it a bleed when I replace them just for good measure.

[@nicholasmontoya5369]

Do you have Shimano or SRAM? Thats one thing im worried about with discs when i travel if I have to bleed the brakes when I get to my destination

[@RyonBeachner]

Nicholas Montoya Shimano. 9170. It wasn’t bad at all.

[@georgehsu1085]

If I only had one bike, disc. But since I'm lucky enough to have multiples, my road bike is rim brake, and my gravel bike is disc.

[@tomrochester7381]

George Hsu you fancy bollocks

[@stanislavkindiakov6334]

Agree! My road is rim and mtb is on disk.

[@mattchaille2589]

I can't believe you didn't mention the difference in tire widths as one of your pros/cons of disc vs rim brakes. I have only one bike, but discs allow me to run different tires depending on what type of riding I'm doing. Big advantage over rim brakes.

[@johnm91326]

On a race bike like these guys would get you're really limited to 28-30C by clearances all over the frame. At least Shimano's new rim brakes will fit that no problem.

[@kieronmoore8856]

is it not the case that when buying a wider "disc brake compatible tyre" the rim is wider but the hub is not so that the new wider tyre disc brake rotor attached to the hub is compatible with the original disc brake?

[@Boy-wv9kn]

John Maca

[@kieronmoore8856]

@Nick Maclachlan yes lol, I didn't now anything about breaks and didn't really understand my research. for some reason i thought the hub with the discs attached got wider as wheel size did ( it never occurred to me that rims, inner tube and tyre casing changed size whilst the hub and discs remained the same allowing the disc of any size wheel to fit the braking mechanism attached to the bike frame).

[@jackglossop4859]

Yeah, I love changing the tyres of my bike every weekend, a huge advantage.

[@greggenna]

In my mind, the biggest advantage of discs is the increased tyre clearance. I ride in Surrey, so I'll take any extra air volume I can get.

[@archetypex65]

The biggest advantage of disc brake bikes is you can ride faster Flats or downhill. The biggest Advantage would be tire clearance and then third maintenance much less maintenance and longer life

[@Evan-zj5mt]

I cannot believe that 79% think that discs look better - they ruin the look of a road bike imo. That said, I'm about to buy a disk frameset as I plan on investing in a set of fancy carbon wheels and the thought of wheel failure due to a stone getting caught between brake track and pad is a deal breaker for me. Great episode :)

[@paulritchie4019]

I just sold a di2 disc cervelo r5 with Zipp dB wheels and went back to a non di2 caad13 rim brake bike and I've never been happier . The cervelo just felt dead compared to the caad. The caad is over a kilo lighter too. I love discs on my cross bike but for as long as I can I will run rim brakes on my road bikes .

[@sventice]

Given where I live (The Pacific Northwest coast of the US), the choice is easy: disc brakes. It's very hilly, and wet 8 months a year. Also, 500g of extra weight isn't that crucial if you're not racing.

[@michaelalbany]

Discs. I am all about disc brakes. Installing disc vs rim, equal for me. Also rim brakes, rim wear is a big issue. I wear out wheels too fast. Disc, just change the discs. As for maintenance, I swear I have to clean the rims and brake pads much more often. Discs are less cleaning. I get caught in the rain a lot too so... I just prefer Discs.

[@modarm]

I will stick with rim breaks, where I live it seems you are always climbing and when the weather is wet or cold I get the kickr out.

[@tarstarkusz]

Rim brakes are great in nice weather and if you don't have CF wheels. You absolutely should not use rim brakes on CF wheels. When it rains, there is no beating disc brakes. 99% of riders are not going to feel the difference in weight or all the other theoretical alleged problems associated with them. If you ride in the rain, even if you are part of the 1/10th of 1 percent who truly benefit from shedding a few grams of weight, the ability to stop trumps all other considerations.

[@johnnyboy1586]

Road bike ,rim brakes all the way!

[@joesmithiii6287]

Rim for road, disc for off-road

[@bryanlee3197]

simple explanation less than 10s haha

[@djinjis]

rim job it is, then

[@Kai-vy9uq]

I agree

[@E3kTheCat]

You're a tool

[@finnatwood7240]

yep

[@mxkstfmk]

Having a MTB past and ridden with hydraulic discs on that I was ecstatic to have a disc road bike. NEVER GOING BACK... Awesome 'merican accents Olly...

[@guyjohnson8159]

Rim or Disk..?? For me its an age thing, i am in my 40"s, so the bikes i dreamed of as a teenager were the traditional looking flat top tube Aluminium bikes. As such, to complete the look i 'dream' of it is always 'rim' brakes for me. Probably why i ride a CAAD.

[@bikesbees9392]

Just got a new “rim” bike, DeRosa. My Ultegra brakes are “scary “ strong.... speed don’t scare me yet, 71 years on the clock.... thanks for the video, cheers....

[@obiwankenobi661]

im really confused by your placement of quotation marks.. cant tell if youre being sarcastic or no

[@MrAmorti]

Try again in the rain and let us know what's scary ?

[@joeottsoulbikes415]

Bikes&Bees...if you are replacing your wheels any time soon look at the Vision Trimax 25KB. They are super light rivaling carbon wheels. The KB coating improves breaking even more and takes a long time to where off. When I mixed my Ultegra calipers with the KB it was amazing. On par with stopping power of disc other than the had fatigue.

[@milovacc1195]

@@MrAmorti i never wait it to rain to go out for a ride.....i go out after the rain has stopped and the road is reasonably dry ........and then , i even try to avoid puddles .......

[@Afredericknyc]

For me, rim wear is the selling point for disc brakes. I'm a heavier rider riding primarily in the mountains. I want confident braking in all weather conditions, but I also like my carbon rims. Never wearing out the braking surface of a $1200 set of rims is a huge selling point.

[@marcuspartridge11]

Hey guys, thanks for posting the pic of my first bike! The "older gentlemen" is my grandpa. And I never noticed the skewers were backwards! This was the day I bought it so it must have came that way from the shop!

[@gcntech]

Your grandpa looks a top fella. He is looking at the bike with real admiration. cheers for the image 👍🏻 Jon.

[@marcuspartridge11]

@@gcntech Thank you!

[@straight_edge]

I love that Jon made no assumptions and instead respectfully referred to the "older Gentleman" in the photo. Proper manners and respect right there! 👌👏 Also that was my favorite of the photos, captured a great candid moment between yourself and your grandfather.

[@marcuspartridge11]

@@straight_edge thanks! That was a fun day. Rode 30 miles that day to different friends & family to show off my new bike. I have only recently bought a new bike to replace it!

[@NoFretBrettCSSMBFF]

@@marcuspartridge11 ... while there is, technically, a 'right' side for the QR... there really is not a *"wrong"* side... while the left side could be more common in some areas, the right side could be considered 'safer' because one can tuck some skewer levers up and *behind* the fork for slightly less chance of catching something while riding... (more useful for MountainBiking, yet habits seldom die, and I almost always lay the Bike on the left side (opposite of Derailleur), so the QR levers (F&R) on the right are more convenient... it totally ends up being personal preference with symmetrical QR Skewers and Forks/Frames...)

[@JayHeartwing]

I like disk brake bikes because of the aesthetics, and the braking performance in all-weather conditions. Not just they look good, but also they brake good ^^

[@rogerhu126]

I like rim brakes because they can be more areodynamic, especially when it's on a TT/Tri setup

[@justinharrison9521]

If you’re not cycling competitively then disc every time. For the average person the safety benefits outweigh any downsides. Plus they look way better.

[@ernest2364]

Disc for me, just having that quicker stopping power has made the difference to be able to ride another day!!!

[@velo1337]

100% sign, its a life safer

[@nickonofrio]

For real...there happen to be a few cars on the road that like to try to kill me on a daily basis.

[@paulogoulart6839]

For me, it would be the opposite, knowing that I would have more braking power, I would risk more...I'm more cautious with the Rim brakes in the jungle traffic (especially with my TT bike)...

[@MrRuvimovich]

You can easily block rim brakes and unless you live in mountain area or very wet region, you do not really need disc brakes.

[@TProfileG]

I ran and still do run rim brakes. Around 1994 people were downhilling on cantilevers brakes. Many full suspension bike just did not have the mounts for discs. The Race at the Pigeon tower near Rivington Pike still amazes me. The speed people would bomb down was amazing. Steep, Rocky with drop offs. A Steep downhill that was fine on cantilevers.

[@chrissparling6040]

No rim wear is enough of a reason for me to stick with discs. Living in Scotland, cycling in the wet is just a reality I have to deal with, and I want my wheels to last as long as possible. No sense buying nice carbon rims to just ruin the brake track in a year.

[@tobycolin6271]

15,000 miles in the last three years and no scores on my carbon rims there as hard as granite. My disc mates have done £320 in brake parts over the last 3 years.

[@jen3800]

i am happy with rim brakes. i was going way too fast in traffic, 55 kph, and had a green light but was on the inside lane. the traffic to my left blocked the view of oncoming vehicles and one tried to sneak through the intersection. I barely stopped in time, but I stopped plenty good, no problem. I don't ride in the rain . If it was raining I would've died. Lemme tell ya, boyos... i made the sign of the cross over and over all that day. Disc brakes would embolden me. I am already crazy enough. ha ha ha...

[@johnm91326]

I had the choice between a SuperSix Evo with rim brakes or a CAAD12 with disk brakes for $300 more. Love my new SuperSix.

[@sudduthjonathan]

I love my SS Evo with rim brakes too. So light and snappy for the hill climbs.

[@iiq12ii]

did you buy All new ss evo 105?

[@iiq12ii]

@@sudduthjonathan did you also get ss evo 105 new?

[@Massproduce201]

Excellent choice enjoy!

[@nickporter3531]

Last 6 bikes have been disc. Last bike built up from a 1982 Mercian King of Mercia frame - Dia Compe centre pulls. I was surprised how good they were once the pads were changed. Horses for courses and depends what you are doing.

[@stringbean585]

One thing I don't believe you mentioned during your rim vs. disc discussion is that rim brakes often don't work as well on carbon rims as they do on aluminum, and can be more dangerous as well if the carbon rim overheats. With almost all high end wheels now being carbon, this would be a significant reason to look at disc brakes.

[@neil7769]

Although carbon rims have got much, much better in that respect over the last few years.

[@Cyclingmasterseller]

Depends on how clean you keep them (carbon rims). It's all about bike-hygiene, same with disc rotors.

[@carlos.5290]

What about carbon wheels with alloy braking surface?

[@simonm1447]

@@carlos.5290 it's not just the braking surface - one problem are the material characteristics of the carbon fiber. If you heat it up too much, the resin becomes too soft, and the wheels lose strength. It isn't a problem for pro riders, since they typically don't weigh more than 70 kg and know how to use the brakes, but if hobby riders with 90 or 100 kg use the bike it can become a problem, if they also drive through potholes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWHMfnuhjtWKfNE

[@ProfessorSteez]

I just received my Specialized Venge Pro, don’t see why disc-brakes catches so much heat (pun intended) because they’re a pleasure to use. If I’m losing a race because of 300g on my bike, it’s time to train more.

[@justaletdown]

Discrub 👎

[@noels8817]

One thing to add about disc brakes, the surface area of a rotor is much smaller than a rim that has a circumference of 700c. So heat dissipates better on a rim brake, assuming of course we’re dealing with non-carbon rims. Just my 2cents.

[@crypto_que]

After nearly 2yrs perfecting my bike, I suddenly decided to buy a new one. The new bike is a 2019 model & only came with disc wheels & YES it is heavier despite being a carbon bike. The race is on to switch over carbon parts while the new carbon wheelset is on its way. New bikes should be RIM if available as discs are mostly heavy industry hype* Here in Connecticut the discs will be more useful come Winter but I am not a willing convert.

[@rolandovera5935]

I just “invested” in a Ti road bike with rim brakes with the intent that this bike will he my main road ride for a very long time. Simple, light... rim brakes for me.

[@jcandleannsmith]

I did the same thing. waiting anxiously for delivery next week.

[@rolandovera5935]

JC Smith call me crazy but there’s some about the aesthetic of rim brakes on road bikes that just can’t be beat, at least in my view of an ideal road bike. There’s also a practical reason too. I don’t have huge mountain passes to negotiate so rim brakes work just fine for me. I also have a cx and mtb that have discs if the conditions require them. That said JC Smith what bike did you order? I’m excited for you! I just finished building my Lynskey Ti road bike just now.

[@shannontrainer5857]

@@rolandovera5935 Especially when it's time when to replace the rim would due to excessive wear. watch?v=uNYVEGkiIIM And we also need tire blowouts and rim failures. Hearing something that sounds like a gunshot followed by the immediate loss of control your bike is a rite of passage. watch?v=KLZaITy5w8I watch?v=NuM9Sw13k1o watch?v=5JJLngAI3P4 watch?v=pQXU2VgloxU watch?v=WAAvuAp_SE0 watch?v=Kig5KA6_GMo

[@jcandleannsmith]

@@rolandovera5935 thanks! - a litespeed T2 with Ultegra Di2 and Reynolds AR41 wheels. I've been riding a Lemond alp d' huez since 96 so this is a huge upgrade for me.

[@rolandovera5935]

JC Smith very cool! Super nice ride. Enjoy and safe riding.

[@Pletharoe]

I think Ollie hit the nail on the head. Disc will be better braking performance. Definitely in the wet, but the reality is just as he said, for me if it’s wet I’m no GC contender. I’m slowing right down anyway. No need to take the risks, which fundamentally removes the advantages disc brakes really give when compared to rim considering how much heavier they are, more expensive, more maintenance intensive and perhaps harsher to ride. The industry has found a new tech to push which lets face it is the real reason disc is now taking off. There is only so far you can improve a frame, but disc brakes give them a whole new niche to work on. I’m still a firm advocate for good old rim brakes...

[@andrewsarchus6036]

I never get the stopping distance issue. With both of my rim brake road bikes stopping distance is entirely governed by tyre/road traction . In other words the caliper rim brake's stopping power is easily enough to cause the bike to skid so I fail to see what the point of even more stopping power would be.

[@anant6778]

Exactly. Till such time as we get ABS , stopping power beyond what locks up the wheels is no good and is in fact worse in any way imaginable. And once you realise that, its easy to see why both are practically just as good.

[@victorwcislo1718]

@@anant6778 you know your front brake is what contributes the most when braking why do you think cars have bigger brakes at the front

[@anant6778]

@@victorwcislo1718 I dont undertand what your trying to convey ?

[@pokerbosscycler]

@@victorwcislo1718 i use more my rear brakes for just paved bike paths.

[@WayneHe15]

I will choose a disc brake road bike for my next one and keep my current rim brake bike. When disc brake road bike started to booming a couple years ago, bike manufactures just adopted mountain bike tech with small changes to road bike product line. I am not a fan of those first gen disc brake road bikes. But after years of developing road-specific disc brake system and frames, I did change my view! Those new disc brake road bikes have more tire clearance, much improved whole bike weight(maybe still heavier than rim brake system).

[@Ditypo]

Ollie hashing accents is one of the most underrated comedy golds in KZbin

[@andypcguy1]

On a 700c tire the contact patch is pretty small, the real limitation is traction not brake force. I have no trouble breaking harder than my traction allows with rim brakes. Disc brakes look cool and certainly feel different but I'm not sure they're worth the hassle.

[@Mainswitch55]

Well said, if anybody thinks he´s better with disc in winter or rain... Guess what, it´s the tire that limits you, not the break! I´m not understanding why you do not get at least about 1000 likes on your comment cause you´re so darn right!!

[@bertbikeblah7204]

Remember that time when cycling was nearly banned in the alps and hilly areas because rim brakes were constantly failing and people were getting killed and seriously injured.......oh,wait, that's right , never happened.

[@ne1so71k7]

Hahaha! I was thinking the same thing.

[@jameshayashi2378]

Remember when the made all cars drive under 40 mph.....oh that never happened. Are cars today safer than the 60s .....pretty flawed logic

[@Agent-vj3ns]

You sound like an uninformed, feeble-minded ignoramus.

[@kristiandawe85]

I live in a fairly flat area in Ontario Canada, for me I like rim brakes mostly, but when its wet or in the winter I use hydraulic disc, but my preference for road bikes are rim, all of them run ultegra r8000 rim brakes, they work very well, the only bike I run with disc is my gravel bike I use for rain and winter time

[@kevinmarks3861]

This year I sold my 3 road bikes with rim breaks and went all disc and purchased 3 new disc bikes- winter/training, hills/all around and an aero bike. To me there is no comparison after riding with rim brakes for 34 years on countless bikes. No rim wear, hence not updating new wheels all the time, way better stopping power, can rider in all condition of weather with the same performance, for the most part no weight difference that I have found, through axles are much stiffer so less flex and easier to take wheel on and off. Also, if using your brakes a lot especially in hot weather, the rims get hot and can cause flats- discs this can't happen. The only advantage I see in the rims brakes are less money but other than that it's a no brainer. Disc's are far superior.

[@dandenham3139]

I have both a rim brake and a hydro disc bike - over 25,000 miles on rim brakes and over 5,000 miles on disc brakes. I ride mainly on flat roads in a club. I did an end over end with rim brakes when I could not get off the rear wheel of the rider in front who suddenly braked without warning. Another time I was glad to be on disc when someone in the middle of the peloton stopped suddenly when a car approached from the right. No collision by me, but folks behind had to dodge a little to avoid me. I have no worries about braking with discs regardless of slope all else being equal. If I am riding solo when it’s dry, rim brakes are normally just fine. Neither is perfect, but my vote is for discs. It would be a hard choice to give up either disc brakes or electronic shifting. Both are so much better for me than rim brakes and mech shifting.

[@31518525corey]

I love my disc bike, but I fully agree that travelling with it is a faff and a half.

[@kenlittle5706]

I grew up riding motorcycles. After getting used to two 320mm rotors with six piston calipers, I took forever to get my bike brakes functioning the way I wanted. 203 at both ends and 4 piston on each with metallic pads and 4 finger levers.

[@cpirotto]

GCN JAPAN!!! As someone who speaks Japanese and lives in Japan, this really excites me!

[@ranggiarohmansani]

I expect a lot of Surly and bullmoose bar, haha

[@danielwatson5005]

I know im a bit late to the party here, But i purchased a Specialized Roubaix late last year with the Shimano 105 Hydralic Disc brake system, and have been disappointed. Road Disc braking is far different from MTB Disc Braking, they get hotter faster and you feel like you are constantly managing your braking down a steep hill rather than enjoying the ride. Also found that when stuck behind slow cars downhill you run the risk of overheating as your constantly on them to keep at the same speed. Not to mention you spend alot more time and money on Maintenance, compared to Rim Brakes. Recently upgraded my Rims on My old Fuji Team pro to some Vision Team 30's and im really enjoying the Braking performance of some new Rims and enjoying my downhill rides again. To sum it up, i purchased a Disc brake road bike thinking i was doing the right thing, when i should have just got a Rim brake bike as im back to riding my old one again.

[@takuan650]

Rim brakes any day. Don't need weight and complexity (and cost?).

[@santiagobenites]

@HazardousPleb V There's absolutely no need to insult people like that.

[@Totalavulsion]

HazardousPleb V bad day at school?

[@SurpriseMeJT]

There are so many rim brakes with different advantages - dual pivot (short, medium), cantilever, centerpull, linear pull - among the most common types. The braking abilities of these brakes vary greatly. I am thinking a linear pull road/gravel bike, like a 90's mtb might be great. I think centerpull's should come back as they are as powerful or moreso than dual pivot mid-reach brakes. Discs are awesome, but again, more complex than necessary most of the time. Also, learning to build your own wheels means replacing rims is not a big deal as it takes a long time to wear out rims when using a good set of pads like swiss stop or KoolStop.

[@ritchiegardiner5659]

Rim is better for Pros and people who race, but Disc is better for Weekend warriors

[@MicroageHD]

People with style ride Rim ;P

[@tesmith47]

I thought that too, but rim wear changed my mind

[@lawrencewinter]

For me, the question is about longevity of my wheels. I've got a nice set of 50mm Rovals [Rim brake], and I'm paranoid of huge mountain decents because I can't afford for them to wear out. Guess I should get a set of light alu wheels for these days

[@jwfriar]

I’m doing 20+ mph on a mixed use trial around Seattle and about to pass some walkers. At the last moment, an older woman juts into my lane and I’m forced to brake to a stand still which I was able to do in mere feet. With a rim brake, I’d have plowed into her causing her and myself significant injuries. Would have been very bad. This situation alone makes the disc brakes, esp the new generation hydraulic ones, well worth it.

[@observer1689]

Just this week I had a similar incident. I might not have hit the pedestrian with rim brakes, but it would have been close. I was shocked at how fast I stopped with my disc brakes. Racers may have good reasons to prefer rim brakes, but I'll never buy them again.

[@bellezayverdad]

Bullshit. If a break is able to block the wheel, surpassing the maximum available traction, you'll stop every bit as fast with any break system.

[@straight_edge]

Gotta love Jon's proper laugh at Ollie's first bike photo (when talking about Ollie's fashion). Also honestly gotta love how bloody good Ollie is in front of the camera. He's really a natural! And Jon is just 👌 as always! When it comes to the Tech Show, the Jon+Chris, Jon+Ollie combos seem to be awesome. Have I missed a Jon+Katherine Tech Show episode? If not, GCN make it happen!

[@ekapris7880]

I want to see Ollie doing the hill climb with an old bike :) similar to the one he used few videos ago new vs old bike

[@danieljakubik3428]

Rim brakes for me. Road bike enthusiast here since 1981. The answer depends on where, when and how one uses their bike. Yes disc brakes, once only on mountain bikes, have become lighter over the years and are now common on city bikes and road bikes here in 2019. Disc brakes offer stronger stopping power, better control (modulation) and faster stopping power in wet conditions than rim brakes. The answer also depends on one's bicycling skills. I'm a long time experienced and knowledgable road bicyclist since 1981. Used properly and with the necessary bike handling skills, I have found rim brakes to function effectively in all weather conditions. I live in the midwest USA, which is flat prairie land. The marketing has changed this decade, promoting disc brakes on more kinds of bicycles than ever before.

[@robroe7734]

I debated this disc/rim options for my last bike. In the end went disc then bought some bling carbon wheels knowing I wouldn’t wear the rims down and have excellent braking in all conditions.

[@xGshikamaru]

Had to descend two pyreneans passes under terrific weather, I'm the only one riding a disc brake bike in my group. Was always safe and first at the bottom of the descent despite being the worst descender. Disc brake gives me confidence.

[@completelystupid87]

Love rim break, but manufacturers stopped making them, which sucks

[@colinb8327]

I’ve got both rim and disc brake bikes. My race bikes are all rim brakes for the weight saving, but I wouldn’t ride them in the wet because of the additional wear placed on them by the water/grit coming up off the road. However my training bikes are discs, on the basis that they are better in the wet, and the better performance on open roads, also no wear on the rims. The next question is hydraulic rim or cable rim? Hydraulic rim brakes are almost as good as discs, and can throw you over the bars if your over exuberant with them. For me it boils down to dry roads in summer rim, winter/wet it’s discs.

[@anneupshaw4708]

I just spent 500$ replacing rims worn down by rim brakes: commuting in the rain sucks for a lot of reasons!

[@QuickQuips]

Oof. Maybe an internal hub + belt combined with disc brakes would be worth the spend.

[@joeottsoulbikes415]

Vision Trimax wheels with the KB finish last super long and give great breaking performance. Far better than most manufacturers machined sidewalls. On par with the Ceramic coated rims Mavic used to make.

[@Agent-vj3ns]

@@joeottsoulbikes415 or just get hyd discs

[@joeottsoulbikes415]

@@Agent-vj3ns some situations you just can not. Say your classic steel frame or ultra gram counter hill climb bike or something like that.

[@GeekonaBike]

I just rode home on my CX bike with cantis, they worked great. Didn't hardly slow me down at all.

[@craigwilson118]

:D

[@jpanon1498]

Rim brakes. Easier to maintain. Make less noise. Esthetically more pleasing to look at than disc brakes.

[@diamonddogie]

If your disk brake is making noise it is something wrong with it. Pads surface, disc alighnment etc.

[@durianriders]

@@diamonddogie they always go out of alignment if you take the wheel out or hit the brakes hard. Just the nature of hydraulics.

[@philspencelayh5464]

Just bought an ebike, 180mm discs as standard. Mostly ride off road on cycle tracks. When pedestrians (and their dogs) do their usual random behaviour I find a lot more lock ups than on my other (rim brake) bike. It may get better but I have more confidence in the rim brakes up to now .

[@PT4LifeYO]

Rims for road/summer bike, discs on commuter/winter.

[@MP-zf7kg]

There are two concerns with disc brakes: -repeated stress loads on frame members not really meant to take those kinds of forces; this can be a problem on retrofits, or on poorly-engineered new bikes. Especially a concern on aluminum. -literally too much stopping power for an inexperienced rider I'm heavily debating going with mechanical discs on at least the front of my old steel-framed bikes. It's both the bad-weather braking and the rim wear that I'd be addressing. While a risk to continue to then run rim brakes on the rear, those wheels get beat to shreds anyway, long before the brake surfaces wear out.

[@jensenhealey907efi]

You did your "rim brake vs disc brake" poll on social media so naturally there would be larger number of young disc brake enthusiasts because us older traditional rim brake folks DON'T hang out or use social media.

[@feluacc]

Hence you are here

[@MrRuvimovich]

So many people vote for disc brakes for three simple reasons: 1) they want wide tires... Say hi to gravels/adventurers/turings/commuters, 2) manufacturer's propaganda... And that is obvious why - they want our money and persuade to buy N+ bikes.., especially bikes with quite complicated parts, which are not only more expensive, but required much more complicated maintenance. 3) they (people) think (and I would agree indeed) that it will be harder to sell a rim brake bike in a while. That's all. Of course, if you live in a mountain/wet area you need disc brakes. But I assume that overwhelming majority of those 66% are followed 1), 2) and 3).

[@matthewlewis2072]

@@MrRuvimovich Or it rains where they live. Game over.

[@MrRuvimovich]

@@matthewlewis2072 All the time?.. Non stop?.. Yes, if they live in Scotland, for instance, I agree. Otherwise, there is a common sense shall be used.

[@matthewlewis2072]

@@MrRuvimovich So, you're suggesting different bikes for dry and wet weather...yeah, ok

[@Tim.Collado]

Here in my area in the Philippines, normally we choose disk break since we have a lot of hills and mountains to ride on. So normally we have disk breaks rather than caliper breaks. Unless you are a road bike weight winnie. Thanks GSN Tech! More power!

[@autodidact537]

Just put a disc brake on the front & a rim brake on the back, problem solved.

[@dandenham3139]

Are you trying to bring back the mullet?

[@mannypvd2296]

I think this would be an awesome idea for a test. Just put a disc brake fork on the front of a rim brake frame.

[@AB-qt2tb]

Do you ride a bicycle made for two? Also the spoke lacing needs to be different for hub/disk brakes.

[@mannypvd2296]

@@AB-qt2tb use a disc brake rim with the disc brake fork on the frame.. lol

[@cyclingnut2122]

Lol yes, however disc brake on the front or back?? Which is best 😀😀

[@sethcrain1427]

I just want more of Ollie and Jon talking through their general knowledge of US cities. The back and forth on Seattle was priceless

[@AnvilAirsoftTV]

Just bought a 2019 Giant Defy Pro 2. Discs all the way for me.

[@PT4LifeYO]

Pity they all look bloody awe full!!

[@bronxcheer1484]

Leighton Kappen -awful

[@michaeljohl4669]

I don‘t ride disc breaks, but rim wear is a real advantage of disc breaks. Everything else especially weight tells me to stay with rim breaks until my Corima Aero+ are thru.

[@marksimmons4142]

You haven’t mentioned the issue of greater tyre clearance. Disc brakes allow for wider tyres meaning more comfort and more speed due to the shorter contact patch and less hysteric loss due to uneven road surface.

[@forevercomputing]

My calipers come with bleed blocks and travel blocks. Fat spacers so I can bleed without contaminating pads, and travel blocks so I can remove the wheel with disc and the spacer gives enough space like a disc to prevent the pads/pistons travelling too far. Replacing rims/wheels, better braking, I'm converting to discs. Still buying the parts.

[@silvanoschmid9385]

I'M probably getting myself an aero bike with rim brakes, since it's cheaper and I'm a light lad, so I don't need extreme breaking power. The question is just should I get a smaller frame with a longer stem or just one size bigger?

[@HeathyRoidz]

Silvano Schmid smaller frame, to be have even more aero benefit buy a size smaller than recommended, slam the stem and buy a 140mm stem with some bars with 89mm reach, gives you more aero benefits

[@jamesbutler1949]

I'd like to have disc brake bike for a week or so, and I'm sure I would love the extra braking performance but the more complex and drawn out maintenance is a huge put off for me, internal cable routing is already shipped out to the LBS.

[@O_Condestavel]

Rim brake for sure

[@stevenspizick9341]

As an older ex cyclist I have had so much issues with centre pulls and caliper brakes I would go disk any day, I wish we had them in the 90`s... It's not just the rain but also oils from the road.

[@noodlesatf]

I wonder if people were debating automobiles versus horse and buggies back in 1908? Rim brakes are going to go the way of the dodo. Mountain, gravel, and cross bikes cannot be found in rim brake versions anymore (unless you're buying at Walmart), so it is only a matter of time until we drag roadies kicking and screaming into the future.

[@MichaelSnasdell]

Only part way into watching, and listening carefully, and already can say without a doubt that THIS is the conversation / discussion I have been wanting to hear about disc brakes for a long time. As a heavier rider, rim brakes can be hard work on long descents, or getting stopped quickly in the wet. Currently using a mechanical disc set up on my commuter bike, and definitely have more confidence in the wet. Really thinking hard about a new bike with hydraulic disc, so good to hear honest thoughts about the problems faced with having them over rim brakes.. Thank you for this video :)

[@dgregoryherschell7300]

The real decider is the number of quality wheels one owns which fit rim brake bikes. Switching to disc means these wheels are now useless.

[@diamonddogie]

But changing hubs from cal to disk is the solution

[@diamonddogie]

Unless its carbon spoked with molded hubs

[@josh33172]

Comfort: I agree to a certain point, but the capability to run a wider tire which makes much more of a difference in comfort than dropping the structural reinforcement that isn't required for rim brake frame. As far as travel, you can put shims in the disc brake to keep the piston in place. Removing the rotors, true, but better braking in a place that isn't home where you might not know the routes. Disc brakes with thru-axles is the way to go! After going from 23c to 28-30c is magical, and opens up what and where you can go on your ride! That said, when the conditions permit. I still love my 2010 Cervelo S2, but I really really wish I could fit bigger than 25c. Been on a lot of newer bikes, but I still really like my old S2.

[@ltrtg13]

Hi GCN Tech. My next road bike will be disc. I have always had a passionate hatred of rim brakes. Why would anyone design something as mind numbingly stupid as a braking system that wears out a major component like the wheel rims. The rims already have enough to deal with. Like the weight of the rider, the road surface, the pressure inside the tyre, the weight distribution during cornering and the g forces involved. I would prefer to keep the tyre's job and the brake's job separate. That is why motor bikes don't have rim brakes. I have no interest in riding bikes that take as long to stop as a fully loaded oil tanker when the brakes get wet.

[@doggdemuro]

My god, you're a moron. Who the heck wears out rims (other than yourself)?

[@richdyer2000]

Riding in the wet and wearing rims through are both symptoms of not spending enough time on your sofa while watching you tube videos about bikes. Sort your priorities out.

[@doggdemuro]

@@richdyer2000 s0Rt y0Ur pRi0riTiEs 0uT.

[@jkk916]

I just don't see rim brake wear as a big problem. It seems that carbon fiber rim when used with appropriate pads might have even longer life than aluminum one. Disc brake pads and maintenance might cost you more in a lifetime of a rim than a rim itself. And yes, disc wears out too... Disc brake bikes are not cheaper option for sure! I also disagree about rim brakes being stupid concept. You should read about Colin Chapman design philosophy. One part that have multiple functions means less parts, less weight, lower air resistance, lower price. Motor bikes might not have rim brakes because they are around 300 times more powerful than a cyclist is. Braking with carbon fiber rims when wet can be a problem though.

[@Mububban23]

My next bike will specifically be a lightweight bike for hilly rides, which probably means rim brakes. I’m lightweight, don’t descend aggressively, live in a dry climate, and would’t ride my “nice’ bike in the rain anyway. I already have an alloy endurance bike with disc brakes and upgraded carbon wheels and it’s a brilliant all rounder. But it was 9.5kg stock in a size L, without pedals or bottle cages! All that said, come ~2022 I think discs will be light enough that most manufacturers won’t even make a new rim brake offering.

[@jensfabricius7588]

"We don´t smoke" and 5 seconds after Ollie appears with a Sherlock hat and a enormous pipe in his mouth (37:18)?! BUSTED!

[@stevenforsness514]

I built a cyclocross Diamondback frame and fork in 2010 into a gravel bike with disc brakes. I didn’t even know about gravel bikes back then and no one had disc brakes on their cyclocross bikes here in north Idaho.

[@vernefits1953]

Rim brakes 100%

[@gogitothetruefusion1431]

of course is kilo lighter

[@jedisdad2265]

I own an Orbea Avant with discs and I love the performance! AND I call Bullocks on the comments about discs not being able to accelerate! I am a relative newcomer to the sport and I can tell you it is more about the condition of the rider than the type of brake. I have ridden more than 1,000 miles in the past 6 months, and love the disc.

[@brianlathan2465]

After a crash ( in the wet ) decending Sa Calobra in April this year , my new Trek Madone on order is DISC 👍

[@milovacc1195]

ride on sunny days . less cleaning and maintenance required . tires tend to slide in the wet, especially on painted, wet surfaces.

[@TobiasSailer]

Hi. I am a heavy rider (100kg+). And I ride a lot in the alps (stupid me). I had 3 crashes over the last 4 years with rim breaks. My rims got so hot from braking on the descents, that the rim tape got soft and my inner tube popped into the "spoke hole". Always in hairpins on steep climbs. I was lucky not to slip off the roads. Since last year I am riding a disc brake bike. CAN YOU IMAGINE the confidence and joy I found in descending! Rim breaks all the way!

[@MrScrofulous]

Ollie needs to pop a spacer between his disc brake pads when he takes the wheel out.

[@cameirusisu1024]

Disc. Alawys disc. Stopping power is much better in any conditions other than totally optimal. changing wheels is easier including swapping wheel sizes on the increasing amount of bikes you can do this on, better clearances.

[@sevintrix2962]

Ol mate the wings on your newly acquired glasses are too short for your head. There meant to extend behind your ears.

[@guybrushthreepwood3002]

I've just bought a Canyon Endurace cf8 disc, discs for life now. Bikes a little heavier, but i'm 15st, so it's neither here nor there for me, but I have much better braking. I even like the look, and wheels will last longer with no brake track, they also look nicer for not having them.

[@1dree1]

Nice content as always! :-) Liked the cool and open-minded presentation on the brakes-subject. Just a little surprised you left out the "aerodynamics"-aspect. I was really curious about this as this seems to be up for debate still. It's obvious that disc-brakes themselves are less aero but marketing suggests that with discs you could make way more aero rims and forks. But is this really the case? I don't know. Was kinda ..hoping to hear about that from you. :-) I'd go for discs myself, taking into consideration the region I am living and and thus the way of riding, demands and so on. Have always been happy with rims though. Nothing against those. Both systems do the job well.

[@joeottsoulbikes415]

For me personally it is rim brakes. I use Dura Ace calipers paired with either Ultegra Di2 levers or SLR Aero levers depending on the bike. I can build my own wheels so replacing rims is not an issue when it comes to that. Stopping in the rain really isn't an issue for me as I use either Vision Trimax KB finished wheels or old school Mavic Ceramic rims in the wet. When its dry outside I ride Vision Metron with the laser etched brake track. For me it comes down to an environmental thing. Eliminating old fluid at the hazardous waist site is a hassle. Its hilly enough in Seattle that disc brakes need to be bleed to keep them functioning right. With regular commuting your fluid will be black as Satans heart within a year and feel mushy.

[@christophh.1246]

Easy. Rim brakes. It is a roadbike. We want it simple, we want it slim, we want it comfortable and we want it light. We brake not very hard and often on our rides. And we have disc brake bikes for bad weather or mud. (a lot!) Let the road bike be a road bike.

[@Mainswitch55]

Well said!

[@taavinen]

For simplicity I love the rim brakes on my carbon wheels on the roadie. But braking in the wet truly is terrible compared to full hydro disc. Next roadie will be disc for me like my steel gravel bike. Love them

[@toddmcdonough]

Disc, because I like switching between 700c and 650b. I also prefer cable operated discs

[@FrankTheTank20]

I use an entry level mtb for travelling, I prefer a good quality disc break over rim breaks. Were I am there is a good amount of flats and hills around here. weight isn't an issue I find with me. Also I find disc breaks easier to maintain over rim breaks.

[@alexmorgan3435]

It's brakes not breaks!!! But rims do break.

[@FrankTheTank20]

@@alexmorgan3435 I seem to always use the wrong one :P

[@tomlangleydesign]

Rim for me. Simple and it's flat in Miami.

[@willbaren]

Well balanced discussion of the pros and cons. Since I’m always going to use 32 spoke aluminium wheels, that’s just how I roll, disc brakes aren’t relevant to me 🤷‍♂️