Rim brakes, also known as caliper brakes, are bicycle brakes that use brake pads to clamp down on the wheel’s rim to slow or stop the bike.
They are a popular choice among cyclists due to their simplicity, affordability, and effectiveness. In this article, we will explore why many riders consider rim brakes superior to other types of brakes.
Disc Or Rim Brakes?
Most conventional road bikes have been equipped with side-pull rim brakes for decades. With more and more manufacturers releasing cars with disc brakes, it seems like they might be around for a while.
Comparing Rim And Disc Brakes
There’s no denying that disc brakes on road bikes look different, but they operate differently and are more challenging to maintain.
Rim brakes
Road bike systems like this have been around for decades because they are easy to adjust, light, and low maintenance. When you pull the lever, the caliper makes contact between the brake pads and the rim, increasing the cable’s tension.
Disc brakes
There is a metal rotor on the wheel’s hub with a fixed caliper that compresses it, and disc brakes are common on mountain bikes.
Depending on their function, they are either mechanical or hydraulic. The mechanism of mechanical disc brakes works similarly to rim brakes – you apply tension to the cable by using a lever.
There is a little more complexity involved with hydraulic systems. Using a hydraulic hose, brake fluid is pumped into the system from the master cylinder located in the lever body. A powerful compress of the pads against the rotor is caused by fluid being forced toward the caliper.
Why Rim Brakes Are Better Than Disc Brakes
Rim brakes are light in weight, which makes them a great choice. There are actually few weight differences between disc and rim brake components.
Disk brake systems typically weigh a few hundred grams more after adding the rotor. However, the latest generation of wheels and frames can compensate for these disadvantages.
It is worth noting. However, cable-actuated rim brakes come with several benefits. Multiple makes and vintages are typically compatible, and parts are usually cheap and readily available.
There are a few problems with rim brake systems when they need to be repaired – even in the middle of nowhere with limited spare parts availability. A rim brake’s adjustment is easy, unlike disc brakes on which friction and squealing can persist for a long time.
Plus, modern rim brake systems, particularly on mid to high-end group sets, offer plenty of stopping power and are better than ever. A common aesthetic argument that was widely held when disc brake road bikes first became popular was that rim brake bikes are prettier.
In our opinion, that argument is now less relevant. Undoubtedly, the clean lines and internal routing provided by disc brakes and internal routing make up for the rotor on the bike’s front end.
Why Do Pros Prefer Rim Brakes?
Disc brakes stop better than good rim brakes, but really good ones stop even better. The feel of rim brakes is also considered superior by many riders.
Instead of being muffled by the spokes and the hydraulic fluid, the brake lever is directly attached to the rim. There is a lot of sense in using the rim for braking. The rim has the largest braking surface.
In addition, since aluminum is generally used, it can dissipate heat quite effectively. As well as saving weight, using the rim for both support and braking can reduce weight.
Advantages Of Rim Brakes
Weight: Rim brakes are generally made of lightweight aluminum and are considerably lighter than drum brakes.
Maintenance: Installation and maintenance of rim brakes are easy. As long as the brake pads are in good condition and the wheel alignment is correct, they are very reliable.
Aesthetics: I think many roadies appreciate rim brakes for their timeless aesthetic (as well as riding without socks, using matching handlebar tape, and so on.)
Disadvantages Of Rim Brakes
Power: Rim brakes have a lower power rating than hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes.
Consistency: wet or muddy conditions significantly decrease their performance. The difference will be most noticeable if you ride with carbon fiber rims.
Rim wear: Over time, your wheel rims will deteriorate or pit, and eventually, the rim or entire wheel will be replaced.
Modulation: Rim brakes offer good modulation, but they can’t match disc brakes in terms of the level of control.
Final Words
There is no question that discs perform better than rims. Hydraulic disc brakes provide the best overall braking performance on road bikes. It is still possible, however, to choose rim brakes if you wish to keep your bike as light as possible.
In addition to offering outstanding stopping power and sophisticated performance, the newest technologies include rubber compounds and rim coatings that do not carry the weight penalty of disc brakes.
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