Types of Bike Brakes

The two main types of bike brakes are rim bicycle brakes and disc bicycle brakes. Among the different categories of bicycle brakes, there are subcategories including mechanical and hydraulic bicycle brakes.
 

Rim Bicycle Brakes

Although there are numerous types of rim bike brakes, they all share the same basic design. Rim bicycle brakes feature leather or rubber friction pads that slow the bicycle through contact with the rim of a bike's wheel. The brake is applied through the use of a lever mounted on the bike's handlebar.
 
Different types of rim bike brakes include:
  • caliper bicycle brakes (includes single-pivot side-pull, center-pull and dual-pivot models)
  • hydraulic rim bicycle brakes
  • linear-pull bicycle brakes (also called V-brakes)
  • rod bicycle brakes
  • u-brakes.

Pros and Cons of Rim Bicycle Brakes

Many riders prefer rim brakes to disc brakes, or other types of bike brakes, because rim brakes are:
  • inexpensive
  • lighter than disc brakes
  • mechanically simple
  • powerful
  • relatively easy to maintain.

On the other hand, a few disadvantages of rim bicycle brakes include:

  • a tendency to get clogged with mud
  • deteriorated performance when rims are wet
  • lower performance level than disc bicycle brakes
  • quicker wear of brake pads.

Disc Brakes

Disc brakes have been a feature on motorcycles for some time. Now, advances in the brake's material have allowed disc brakes to be used on bicycles.
 
There are two main types of disc brake systems: mechanical and hydraulic bicycle brakes. The main distinction between mechanical and hydraulic bicycle brakes is the fact that mechanical brake systems are cable-actuated and hydraulic bicycle brakes use a fluid-based system.
 
Because of the exposed cable and other design features of mechanical disc brake systems, they tend to get dirt and other particles in the cable line and have less modulation than hydraulic bicycle brakes. A hydraulic bicycle brake system better protects against contaminants and offers increased performance.
 
Hydraulic disc bicycle brakes are not without their own complications. Some of the negatives associated with hydraulic bicycle brakes include:
  • Brakes occasionally require bleeding of the brake line to remove air bubbles.
  • Hydraulic bicycle brakes are more expensive than other types of bicycle brakes.
  • Repairs on the trail are difficult.
  • Steep, continuous downhill rides may cause the hydraulic fluid to boil.

Pros and Cons of Disc Bicycle Brakes

Many cyclists prefer disc bicycle brakes to rim brakes once they have tested disc brakes. Advantages of disc bicycle brakes include:
  • considerably better performance over rim brakes
  • consistent performance in all weather conditions
  • less wear on the rims.

The main disadvantages of disc breaks include:

  • heavier than rim brakes
  • hub and frame requirements for caliper and disc mount
  • more expensive than rim brakes
  • stress to wheel's spokes.

Uses for Disc Bicycle Brakes

Disc bicycle brakes are quickly becoming more of a standard feature on bikes than they have been in the past. Because the design of disc brakes makes them suitable for off-road riding, they are mostly used on mountain bikes. These brakes can also be used on some road bicycles and hybrid bicycles.

Bicycle Brake Maintenance

It is important to be aware of warning signs that brakes need repair, so that you can fix them before an accident or other damage occurs.
 
Brakes will squeal if the pads are hitting the rim incorrectly. This can easily by remedied by adjusting the brake pads.
 
The sound of scraping may indicate that metal needs to be sanded out of the pads, or that it is time to replace the pads. An inspection of the brake pads will let you know if they need to be replaced. Replace brake pads when there is about one-fourth of an inch left.
 
Different types of bicycle brakes require different skill levels for repair. Because of the importance of properly functioning brakes, any advanced repairs (like those for hydraulic bicycle brakes) or even basic repairs that a rider does not feel comfortable handling alone should be performed by a bike mechanic.
 
Resources
 
ABC-of-MountainBiking.com (n.d.). Mountain bikes – Anatomy. Retrieved December 6, 2006, from the ABC of Mountain Biking Web site.
 
eHow (n.d.). How to adjust bike brakes. Retrieved December 6, 2006, from the eHow Web site.
 
League of American Bicyclists (n.d.). Brake basics. Retrieved December 6, 2006, from the League of American Bicyclists Web site.
 
Tisue, K. (n.d.). Should I get disc brakes or rim brakes? - what system will weigh more. Retrieved December 6, 2006, from the About.com Web site.