Disc or v brake

italodisco · 24-08-2018 9:26am #1

Hi folks,

So I'm going to buy a trek fx3 for commuting and just wanted your opinion,

Is it worth spending the extra 130 quid and getting the disc break version or is it an unnecessary extra?

Just curious as I've never used a disc break bike.

Cheers

ec18 · 24-08-2018 9:29am

are the discs mechanical or hydraulic?

magicbastarder · 24-08-2018 9:33am

hydraulic: https://www.theedge-sports.com/cycling-c18/bikes-c19/hybrid-bikes-c200/trek-fx-3-disc-2019-p20891

LLewellen Farquarson · 24-08-2018 9:37am

In my opinion, no. I had a trek with v brakes and never felt it a problem. Currently have a kona Jake with cable disk and don't find them any better or worse. One advantage of disk is no problem with wheel rims going out of true affecting the brakes. One disadvantage is the rear disk gets covered in crud/oil which reduces effectiveness.
Spend the extra on lights/gear for the winter.

CantGetNoSleep · 24-08-2018 9:50am

I'd go for the discs if you plan to commute all winter, will save you wanting an upgrade later (to a new bike)

Alanstrainor · 24-08-2018 10:29am

I went discs on my commuter last year and honestly I love them. There is a substantial improvement in braking in all conditions. I also find you can modulate the brakes much better than my previous rim brakes. A poster above mentioned something about rear discs getting covered in oil/dirt. I haven't noticed the same, well I certainly haven't noticed any reduction in brake effectiveness. You can buy a can of brake cleaner to sort them out if that's a concern. And another plus is how long the brake pads last, I probably get 3 times the life out of disc pads Vs rimvpads.

emeraldmtb · 24-08-2018 10:32am

Just from personal experience, the difference between mechanical and hydraulic discs is huge. I've found mechanical discs only marginally better than v-brakes. But hydraulic discs do everything Alanstrainor said above. Just something to bear in mind when you're considering a bike with discs.

italodisco · 24-08-2018 11:04am

They are hydraulic, I will be commuting all winter via bike.

I already have a 6,000 lumens cree front light and a knog for the rear so I'm not worried about keeping money for extras!

ford2600 · 24-08-2018 11:09am

If you are commuting in a city environment you'll be braking a lot. You'll wear your rims pretty fast, and especially if you have full mudguards(which you should have) with rim brakes.

For that reason alone I'd get discs.

Better modulation/more power are not major factors for a lad on a hybrid getting to work.

6000 lumens!! Around you sure you hav enough power there...

Mr. Grieves · 24-08-2018 12:00pm

Hydraulic discs - yes, there's a definite improvement over v-brakes, and the fact that they auto-adjust as pads wear is nice. Downside is hydraulics are more difficult to service if something goes wrong, but in general it won't. Just keep an eye on the pad wear as the lever won't feel any different as the pads wear.

If it was mechanical discs I wouldn't bother - v-brakes are lighter and easier to adjust, and braking performance is fine relative to mechanical discs.

OleRodrigo · 24-08-2018 1:12pm

Brake choice depends on weight IMO. Disc brakes have utility with extra weight.

I don't carry much on my commute and bodyweight is between 74 + 80 kilos. I commute on a fixed gear in the city centre, in all weathers, with a single front calliper and have only modest rim wear. Wouldn't brake a lot either, unless some smartphone-tard steps out in front of me.:pac:

I would choose v-brake.

Type 17 · 24-08-2018 5:09pm

Disc brakes give more power and better modulation of that power, and are less affected by wet weather.

Rim brakes are generally lighter and are more than adequate in almost all scenarios.

Having recently moved from cable rim brakes to hydraulic discs on a road bike, I'd say discs are better if you carry lots of cargo (on yourself or the bike

), or if you have steep descents/higher speeds on your route.

If the above factors don't apply to you, then well-adjusted V-brakes are perfectly fine.

Sinbad_NI · 24-08-2018 6:54pm

Discs are great in the winter. Def get them.

silverharp · 25-08-2018 3:02pm

if you are on a budget i'd put the money into the best quality tyres you can get and see whats left over. you can get bikes costing near a grand and they only have average tyres. if you are commuting and you have no big downhlls then i wouldnt see disc breaks as being essential

iwillhtfu · 25-08-2018 5:59pm

LLewellen Farquarson wrote: »

Currently have a kona Jake with cable disk and don't find them any better or worse.

Not even remotely comparable with hydraulic disc brakes.

OP go with the disc brakes.

italodisco · 26-08-2018 1:22am

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Not even remotely comparable with hydraulic disc brakes.

OP go with the disc brakes.

Yes it's looking more likely, I've checked the difference in weight between both versions, theres 0.7 kg difference and the disc is only available in 20 inch, the v brake in 19 inch which is my size. 1 inch difference is hardly going to be very noticeable

Cee-Jay-Cee · 26-08-2018 9:54am

italodisco wrote: »

Yes it's looking more likely, I've checked the difference in weight between both versions, theres 0.7 kg difference and the disc is only available in 20 inch, the v brake in 19 inch which is my size. 1 inch difference is hardly going to be very noticeable

It’s the difference between a 54cm and 56cm bike so yes there can be quite a difference especially if a 54cm bike is on the upper side of your sizing range.

italodisco · 26-08-2018 1:52pm

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

It’s the difference between a 54cm and 56cm bike so yes there can be quite a difference especially if a 54cm bike is on the upper side of your sizing range.

Oh no... Sticking with V brake so.

I've a separated ac joint in shoulder, this particular bike was the only one in the last few years that's geometry worked for me. Otherwise I end up with neck and shoulder pain and a bad ring in my ear with it.

I sold my other trek to buy a new one of the same model so I'll stay with what works,

Cheers

Disc or v brake

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