Bike brakes are important for several reasons, notables are- they make it easier to avoid obstacles, help control speed and stop the bike. But that requires the right type of bike brakes as per the bike and road type. We often get confused with many types of brakes and can’t take the correct decision about the perfect brake type.
As a cyclist, it is most important to know about all brakes, as it is directly related to the safety of the rider. In this article, I will discuss different bike brakes. I will also describe which type of brakes is best for your bike. The discussion is going to be very informative for you. Then, let’s get started.
Different Types Of Bike Brakes: [Details Discussion]
We all notice different brakes according to the variety of bikes and their requirements. The difference in brakes is because of their upgrades over time and rider convenience. And now, I am going to explain all types of bike brakes below.
Rim Brakes
Rim brakes come in several styles, but all of the rim brakes work by applying braking force to the rim. These brakes use thicker brake pads, which slow the rotation of the wheel by clamping to the rim. And we know Rim brakes are light, cheap, easy to install, and versatile. Knowing the features, you may wish to know what are the suitable bikes for these brakes, right?
Well, you’ll often see rim brakes on road bikes, city bikes, some hybrid bikes, and inexpensive mountain bikes. Rim brakes are easy to access, so these brakes are best for situations like quick wheel changes in a race. They are also good for casual cyclists, as they are easy to maintain.
Although these brakes are less efficient than disc brakes, they are popular because of their lightweight and easy replacement.
- The major disadvantage of rim brakes is that dirt or mud easily accumulates on their brake pads, making the brakes less effective. Also, the brakes cannot work properly in wet conditions or if the rims are wet.
- But in a dry environment, they are very much effective and user-friendly. I will describe the different types of rim brakes in detail below.
1. Caliper Brakes:
Caliper brakes are the most popular style of rim brakes. Caliper brakes are mounted at a single point on the wheel. Because of having a single body, these brakes are more balanced and lighter than other rim brakes.
You will find caliper brakes widely on road bikes, hybrid bikes, and single-speed bikes. Most modern road bikes use dual-pivot side-pull calipers. This braking system is especially good for racing bikes.
At this point, you might be wondering, are there any more popular styles of rim brakes? No worry mate! You will get your answer step by step logically.
2. V-Brake:
V-brakes are the most powerful style of rim brakes. These are also sometimes known as ‘direct-pull brakes’ as they have cable housing attached to one arm. And, when the lever is pulled, this arm combines with the other arm to provide effective braking.
V-brakes are most effective for off-roading or mountain braking. Because it gets the bike stopping ability more than other rim brakes. Furthermore, V-brakes work better than other rim brakes on wet or muddy roads because of their larger pad area.
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3. Cantilever Brakes:
Cantilever brakes are characterized by having a pair of brake arms mounted on opposite sides of the rim where a cable connects the pivoting lever to the brake arms. And, pulling the brake lever causes the arms to act as levers and pull the pads toward the center of the wheel.
We commonly found these types of brakes on cyclocross bikes. But Cantilever brakes are less aerodynamic and less popular than Caliper brakes.
4. U-Brake:
There is another style of rim brake known as U-brakes. You can call them a ‘combination of caliper and cantilever brakes.
U-brakes feature Two L-shaped brake arms. These arms are mounted on each side of the rim and a cable or a straddle wire carrier connects the levers to the arms. Thus both arms provide a powerful brake on the rim when the rider presses the lever.
You’ll commonly detect U-brakes on old-school mountain bikes and BMX bikes. But we rarely see this type of bike brake on other bikes.
Disc Brakes
Disc brakes have a disc or rotor attached to the wheel hub. The main body of these brakes is attached to the frame of the bike.
The braking system applies the braking force to these discs to apply the brakes. There are generally two types of disc brakes- Mechanical and Hydraulic. And, we consider disc brakes to be the most effective on bikes based on our overall biking experience.
These brakes work best on gravel bikes and mountain bikes because they can provide more tire clearance.
- Mechanical disc brakes use braided steel cables to transfer braking force to the caliper.
- On the other hand, Hydraulic brakes use a sealed fluid system to transfer the braking force.
However, both types of disc brakes are more effective than rim brakes or any other brake in terms of performance. And, these brakes perform well in any changeable weather or wet conditions. Moreover, bikers need to apply much less force on the brake lever.
The only disadvantages of disc brakes are that they are difficult to maintain and expensive. But this disadvantage pales compared to the advantages.
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Coaster Brakes
Coaster brakes differ greatly from the brakes discussed above. As this braking system has no separate cables, these are ideal for beginners.
Coaster brakes have two pads located inside the rear hub of the bike where a clutch moves to the axle when the rider pedals. But when the rider rotates the pedals backward, the clutch engages the pads with the braking surface.
You will usually find this type of brake on cruiser bikes or town bikes. But they are less common and may not provide as effective braking. So, they are best suited for slow-speed comfortable bikes like cruiser bikes.
What Is The Most Common Bike Brake Type?
You will commonly find “Caliper Brakes” on most bikes, especially on most road bikes or hybrid bikes.
All riders love these types of bike brakes because of better performance and improved safety. However, disc brakes are becoming quite popular these days.
- Both mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes are the best choice on bikes that require strong stopping power.
Disc Brakes VS V-brakes: Which Is Better?
Actually, both Disc and V-brake are good for several reasons.
- Disc brakes offer you several advantages, such as weather does not affect them, does not damage tires or rims, and provides powerful braking.
- Besides, these brakes have some disadvantages, such as they are relatively heavy, difficult to adjust, and difficult to maintain.
On the other side-
- V-brakes are also the most powerful and effective style of rim brakes. Some advantages of these breaks are that they are less expensive, easy to maintain, easy to replace, etc.
- Notable disadvantages are- they cause wear on the rims, braking performance affected by mud and water, frequent replacement of brake pads, etc.
Although both brakes come with some drawbacks, they are best in different conditions and priorities.
- Disc brakes are best for you if you have to ride on wet or muddy roads and need strong braking.
- In contrast, if you drive on dry roads and need a lightweight, less expensive braking system, V-brakes are best for you.
What Type Of Brakes Are Best For Mountain Bikes?
Pro cyclists consider disc brakes to be the best for mountain bikes.
When you want to drive on the trail or downhill, a strong braking system is necessary to avoid accidents. Furthermore, you may require riding mountain bikes on slippery roads or bad trails sometime, where good braking is very important.
As Disc brakes provide much stronger braking than rim brakes or other brakes, bikers don’t have to worry about braking weakness even on wet or muddy roads. These brakes allow your bike to stop effectively within a short distance. So, considering all things, disc brakes are the best for mountain bikes.
Are Disc Brakes Better On Road Bikes?
Yes, modern disc brakes can be a good and effective braking system on road bikes, but many cyclists consider rim brakes to be perfect for road bikes.
Disc brakes provide many benefits to the rider as they provide powerful and constant braking. So that riders can ride the bike with confidence in any weather conditions. Furthermore, they provide more wheel clearance and do not damage the rim.
But bike weight is an important consideration with road biking. And, Disc brakes can make road bikes a little heavier. Plus, they are not transferable, expensive, complicated to maintain, and can be dangerous sometimes. Now the decision is yours. Do you want to stick with rim brakes or go for disc brakes? Well, I will try to make your decision easier, just read the next section attentively.
Reasons – Why Do Most Road Bikes Use Rim Brakes?
There are many reasons road bikes use rim brakes.
- Rim brakes can provide you with enough braking as needed during road biking.
- They will not make your bike heavy.
- Since disc brakes lock the wheels at once, old tires can slide on the road and cause you to fall. But this is rarely the case with rim brakes.
- Bike maintenance is a bit difficult for an average rider. And Rim brakes are much easier to maintain than disc brakes. They are simple and less expensive to replace.
Moreover, today’s rim brakes effectively overcome earlier limitations. So, manufacturers still use rim brakes on their road bikes.
Are Coaster Brakes Better Than Hand Brakes?
No, coaster brakes are not at all better than hand brakes.
Rim brakes or Disc brakes can provide much more effective braking. Coaster brakes, on the other hand, provide relatively weak braking. Moreover, the mechanism of these brakes is difficult to lubricate or maintain.
- When you want to attach coaster brakes to a cruiser bike, it’s fine, because these bikes are quite slow. But attaching a coaster brake to a city bike, road bike, or mountain bike is not logical at all and accidents are inevitable in that case.
Considering everything- it can say that, hand brakes are more practical and better than coaster brakes.
Essential Bike Brake Maintenance Tips
The effective braking system of the bike increases the confidence of the rider and helps to keep him safe. By following the tips below, you can keep your bike’s brakes at their best fit.
- Regularly check and remove dirt, debris, and stones from the brake pads.
- If the brakes are not centrally aligned, adjust the screws to bring them into the proper position.
- Replace brake pads when they have crossed the minimum wear line.
- Check the internal cable
- Note the rims, replacing them when the grooves disappear.
- Place an object between the pistons to avoid pinching the spokes when removing the wheels for servicing disc brakes.
- Use a good quality brake cleaner when cleaning disc brakes.
- Bleed the hydraulic brake to remove any bubbles.
- Take care of the rotors or pads regularly and make sure they do not come into contact with any lubricant.
Wrapping Up My Discussion
Good brakes can make bike riding more comfortable and safe. A good braking system can help you stay in control and avoid a crash. So, whether you’re a casual rider or a hardcore cyclist, make sure your bike is equipped with the right types of bike brakes. It could save you from unwanted injuries.
I hope that even if you are an inexperienced rider, you can select the right brake for your bike from the above discussion. Still, if you have any queries regarding bike brakes, then you can let me know through the comment section. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
