Road Disc Bikes

Disc road bikes are designed to be ridden on paved surfaces and as such will have clearance for narrower diameter slick tyres. Instead of being reliant on the traditional rim brake caliper a more powerful disc brake system is fitted instead. There are 3 different types of disc brakes available, cable-actuated, hydraulic and the less common hybrid style system. The entry point into disc braking is the cable-actuated system which uses a standard brake cable to activate the caliper. It provides better stopping power than standard rim brakes, especially when riding in mixed conditions.

The hydraulic disc brake is the pinnacle of bicycle braking systems, rather than use a brake cable the system instead relies upon hydraulic fluid. When the lever is pressed pressure forces pistons n the caliper to close the brake pads. This results in much more efficient braking consistency, power and control. The final system is a Hybrid of the 2, it still uses a brake cable but also has a hydraulic fluid reservoir to give it superior braking power and control over a simple cable-actuated brake system.

The advantages of a disc brake bike is that braking efficiency in mixed conditions is much higher. The greater stopping power allows for later braking when cornering and descending. There is also a cost-benefit, disc brakes don’t wear out the wheel rim like rim brakes which makes them especially beneficial to the daily commuter who commutes by bike in all weathers.