Which bike is better? Disc brakes? Rim brakes?

Question

My parents are in the process of getting everyone in the family a new bicycle, and I need a bike that I can do serious road racing on, but my parents won't purchase a pure road bike. They stipulate that is has to be able to handle the occasional patch of dirt or whatnot, so they'd like me to get a hybrid-oriented bike.

However, I convinced them to let me get a cyclecross bike in place of a hybrid. ;) So I have two options, the Kona Dr Dew (hybrid) or the (cyclecross) Kona Jake, max price $1,000:

http://konaworld.com/08_jake_w.htm

http://konaworld.com/08_drdew_w.htm

Thing is, they still seem to think that the Dr Dew is better because it has disc brakes, which the Jake does not. Sure, rim brakes have the disadvantage of heating the rim. Disc brakes are heavier. I don't know. Also the Dr Dew is less race ergonomic. What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance . . . .

Answer 1

Jake is by far the better bike for you.   Disc brakes are overrated unless you routinely ride in the mud, do extreme downhill, or are touring with a full load.    

The Dew is for a more causal rider.  Since you say you want to road race, you need JAKE....

Answer 2

if you want to race, go with the rim brakes. UCI rules dont allow discs on road or cyclo-cross bikes!

Answer 3

I would go with Disc Brakes because they constantly perform well regardless of weather or the occasional dirt patch. additionally they don't require changing as rim brakes eventually do. and another point is that you may misalign your rim brakes which leads to poor stoppage.

-granted with disc brakes you can bend the disc but i think that is a small chance.

where did you hear that disc brakes are heavier than rim brakes? the added weight is neglible in my opinion. the main weight to consider is the frame and major components.

Answer 4

If what you want is speed for racing you're going to want to go with the cyclocross bike. Maybe you can convince your parents to put on some thinner tires geared more towards the road. The hybrid will have you in a less aerodynamic positiion and is not necissarily for speed. More for comfort. As far as discs go, once again, if your purpose is for road racing, I dont think you really need them. Notice how all road bikes have rim brakes. There is a weight difference. Part of the issue with the weight on the disks is that it is rotating wieght which essentially multiplies its effect (something with rotational kenetic energy vs. just moving, you need to provide both for rotating parts). I wouldn't worry very much about heating the rim with rim brakes either. If they are overheating you are either moving way to fast or braking way to much.

And by the way, disc brakes also will need replacement pads and adjustments just as rim brakes do. And frankly, trust me because I get paid to do this, rim brakes are much easier to adjust and replace than discs.

Answer 5

Discs all the way.

But keep in mind please that even disc can get hot so if a disc gets hot on a 5 mile downhill road ride then you may want to take it easy on the brakes and certainly don't skid as the disk may warp.

The thin disc on a bicycle do cool off fast but they are the weakest disc brakes made as they are the lightest.

A rim brake system is the same except it is the pad that gets hot and will actually melt and start to bead then smoke as the pads become useless and very dangerous.This is why ceramic coated rims and ceramic specific pads were created.

I hope this can be of some help to you

Answer 6

Disc barkes are more reliable, rim brakes wear out easily...

Answer 7

yes