Disk Brakes?

[Grog]

My name is Grog and I'm shopping for a new bike (but I don't have the time to shop).

I'm thinking of getting disk brakes on my new commuter bike. It would cost more than the insurer will give me for my now-retired bike, but I'm happy to pay for it if it's worth it.

They would not be hydraulic bakes though, just the standard disk brakes.

My idea is that it would be more secure to stop in wet conditions in particular.

The only downside that I can think of is that I don't know how to fix them (but I could learn I guess).

Anyone has experience or knowledge to share with me about this before I go and order the bike? (Maybe Monday.)

Many thanks!

[Blueberry]

No advice on Disk brakes (I'm just starting to be curious about them myself), but was wondering what model you're looking at?? If I wanted a trek (from your previous thread) commuter bike, I'd be looking long at hard at the 520 (I have one) and the Portland (I think is a really cool bike).

CA

[Grog]

No advice on Disk brakes (I'm just starting to be curious about them myself), but was wondering what model you're looking at?? If I wanted a trek (from your previous thread) commuter bike, I'd be looking long at hard at the 520 (I have one) and the Portland (I think is a really cool bike).

Let's say those two are out of my price range by a lot.

The bike I had was a 7100 fx from 2004, which is about half the price of the 520 or Portland.

I was looking at the Valencia and at another one that was tagged "Soho" but it's not like the Soho on the web site (maybe because it's last year's, I don't know).

I have been lusting for a 520 for a long time, but I can't justify buying that right now. Especially not knowing what kind of job I will have next year.

[Blueberry]

Let's say those two are out of my price range by a lot.

Egads. I just looked at the current prices. Let's just say I paid not much more than the Valencia for mine. They're out of my range too - now. I see what people meant about 2009 pricing!!

The Valencia looks like a really cool bike! Hope someone with more experience with disks will chime in

Good luck!

CA

[DebW]

Adjusting disk brakes is definitely harder than caliper brakes. The clearance between the disk and pads is just a couple millimeters, so you squint alot trying to adjust them. Mechanical disk brakes have one fixed and one movable pad, and getting the disk the correct distance from each pad can be tricky. If the disk gets warped, you either have to try and true it (often unsuccessfully) or live with a scraping brake. BTW, disk brakes on department store bikes are often complete junk and hardly stop the bike.

[Grog]

Adjusting disk brakes is definitely harder than caliper brakes. The clearance between the disk and pads is just a couple millimeters, so you squint alot trying to adjust them. Mechanical disk brakes have one fixed and one movable pad, and getting the disk the correct distance from each pad can be tricky. If the disk gets warped, you either have to try and true it (often unsuccessfully) or live with a scraping brake. BTW, disk brakes on department store bikes are often complete junk and hardly stop the bike.

So Deb, in your opinion, is it even worth it to get disk brakes for a commuter bike? (We're talking about a Trek $900 bike here.)