Cycling is an amazing activity, serving as both an exercise and an adventure sport, making it a favourite for many. Taking up cycling can significantly improve our quality of life. The growing number of bicycles on the roads reflects the increasing popularity of this activity. There’s a wide variety, from road cycles and mountain bikes (MTBs) to hybrid, all-terrain, and electric bicycles.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, it’s crucial to understand essential bike parts like suspension, brakes, gears, and suspension forks. In this blog, we’ll focus on disc brakes.
What Are Disc Brakes?
Disc brakes have a crucial part called the metal disc or rotor on the wheel’s hub. A calliper with two brake pads squeezes onto the rotor to stop or slow down the wheels. Disc brakes offer several advantages:
- Disc brakes are incredibly powerful, and you’ll quickly notice the distinction from other brakes. There’s minimal delay between pressing the handlebar levers and the bike stopping. This precision and quick response make disc brakes a very appealing choice.
- Disc brakes are located at the wheel’s hub, making them less likely to get dirty. In contrast, rim brakes can easily get dirty and, as a result, need more frequent maintenance.
- Disc brakes can work with almost all tyre widths, unlike rim brakes. While a rim brake needs to cover the entire wheel to connect with the rim, disc brakes don’t have this limitation.
- Disc brakes excel in various weather conditions, making them highly dependable.
Due to the strength and effectiveness of disc brakes, they play a crucial role in mountain and hybrid bicycles. These bikes are ideal for off-roading, which can lead to increased wear and tear. Hence, when opting for a new cycle for off-road adventures, consider choosing one equipped with disc brakes.
Now that we’ve explored how disc brakes function and their benefits, let’s delve into the various types of disc brakes.
Types of Disc Brakes
Well, disc brakes can be categorised into two primary types:
● Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Rather than using cables, hydraulic brakes use a sealed line filled with fluid. When you press the levers at the handlebars to apply the brake, the fluid travels to the calliper, causing the pads to clamp onto the disc and slow down the bike. To adjust a hydraulic brake:
- Find two bolts on the calliper sides and loosen them.
- Squeeze the brake lever a few times until the rotor centres itself.
- Once done, tighten the bolts, test the brakes, and you’re ready to ride.
● Mechanical Disc Brakes
Mechanical brakes are cost-effective and require less maintenance. They use cables, similar to rim brakes, to activate the disc brakes on the wheel hubs. The levers operate the cables on the handlebars. To adjust a mechanical disc brake:
- Loosen the screw on the side of the calliper.
- Find a small adjustment dial and adjust it until the callipers are centred just above the rotor.
- Test the brakes.
The Key Takeaway
It’s crucial to recognise that disc brakes are some of the most powerful and efficient braking systems. They are versatile and can adapt to various terrains. So, if you’re considering a disc cycle, you can expect a braking system that offers superior power and efficiency across diverse terrains.