What makes hydraulic disc brakes better then mechanical disc brakes?

Question

What makes hydraulic disc brakes better then mechanical disc brakes?

Answer 1

As Mirage.. says they are just different. I've used several mechanicals and Hyd. over the  years and came to the same conclusion as Mirage.. , for 95% of the people out there riding a set of mechanical disks is the best option. Now there are several makes of mech. disks but I personally belive Avid's BB7's are the best of them all. Both pads can be independently adjusted for proper clearence, and as far as the modulation issue is concerned mix the pads a hard pad on the inside and a softer pad on the outside solves this. (just remember one pad will wear faster ). An added plus is that if you don't have your wheels on and the  brake lever gets pulled no harm done, on a hyd. system you need to respread the pads. Don't get me wrong Hyd. are great, if you really need them, but the ease of operation on a good set of mech. just makes more sence for most.

Answer 2

To me, it isn't a matter of braking power.  Any properly adjusted brake, including rim brakes have enough braking power to lock up your wheels.

Hydraulic disk brakes require only finger touch pressure to actuate.  Rim brakes and mechanical disk brakes require more pressure to actuate because you must compress the return spring.  

I have had my hands and forearms cramp on long, winding descents where it is necessary to do lots of braking to control speed.  The light touch of hydraulic brakes helps prevent this from happening.  When your entire body is hurting, anything that prevents additional pain is good.

Frankly, for regular knock about the woods kinds of rides, I would never go to the added expense of hydraulic brakes.  If you envision yourself doing long events and epic descents, they are well worth it.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I'd echo what has already been said;  hydro's arent necessarity better, but are preferred for epic rides and long descents.   The bb7's are the way to go IMHO.

Answer 4

Feel.

You can modulate hydraulics better and it takes more skill to keep mechanicals from locking up.

They have the same terminal stopping power.

Mechanicals are easier to adjust, maintain and repair but properly set up hydraulics almost never need adjustment, maintenance or repair.

Answer 5

They aren't necessarily better, they are just different.

Hydraulics tend to give you more braking power and have a smoother feel to them but most riders- I don't care who they are unless they are competing- don't need hydraulics.