Any thoughts on disc brakes?

[amy]

As I said in another post, I'm making decisions about transitioning from a mountain bike to a road or touring bike. My favorite part about my bike is the disc brakes. But perhaps this is because they give me a (false?) sense of comfort. I'm wondering if I should just say goodbye to the disc brakes?

[Brandi]

you know again this is a personal thing. My husband loves he's but he is a mountain biker there could be a difference.

[Velobambina]

I have them on my 'cross bike and I hate them. Can't tell when the pads are wearing down, always squeeky, etc.

[chickwhorips]

I have them on my mountain bike and don't like them.

Granted they have great stopping power, but mine are wearing wrong and rubbing and squeaking and just causing me a problem. Plus you have to keep them clean in order not to have those problems and to do that isn't as easy as it sounds.

[DirtDiva]

Some cyclocross bikes come with disc brakes, e.g. this one (http://www.salsacycles.com/laCruzComp08.html). Yes, disc brakes take a little more maintenance (if they are hydraulic, which I doubt they would be on a cyclocross bike), but they do work a heck of a lot better.

cwr - sounds like yours aren't set up right. You can usually alter the position of the calliper a bit to straighten things up and stop the rubbing/uneven wear. Or perhaps you have a bent rotor or even a slightly squiffy hub. Unfortunately, pretty much all disc brakes squeal in the wet though.

[chickwhorips]

I even took mine down to the LBS and they couldn't fix it. Actually made it worse. :( Almost completely disabled my back brake.