Disc Brakes vs Rim Brakes — The Marketing Lie Nobody Wants to Admit
77K views · Sep 4, 2026 · Education
Comments · 423
@cycleworth · 3 weeks ago · pinned
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@mtwils · 3 weeks ago
Actually rim brakes have been made for large tires since the beginning of rim brake bicycles. Just not fancy ones. The Tektro brand made, and may still make, the 556/559 dual pivot calipers that easily clear 38mm tires, with the caveat that the quick release to allow wheel removal without deflating the tire did not release enough cable for many setups. I have several old bikes set up this way. There are workarounds for the quick release issue. I am pretty sure they made calipers for even larger tire clearance. Your frame is the limiting factor for tire size, not the rim brake caliper you can buy.
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@thomaskonefal · 2 weeks ago
I did wear a rim down past the indicator and the bike shop refused to work on the bike unless I replaced the worn (in my opinion), unsafe (in the bike shop's opinion) wheel. Regarding brakes, I have 2 1990s legacy 7-speed mtn bike frames that I updated with more recent forks that support both V-brake and disc-brake. The bike shop installed an L-shape bar end inboard of of the right side shifter and fastened the disc-brake lever to it. On very steep descents, I use the left lever for front V-brake and the bar end lever for the front disc-brake. My life no longer flashes before me braking downhill in the rain.
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@gr8videofun · 3 weeks ago
Fantastic presentation, 5 minutes of information condensed into a 44-minute video.
183
@ChimeraActual · 2 weeks ago (edited)
In the mid 1990's I purchased a bike with disc brakes. I found the control provided by the hydraulic system to be superior to cables. My brother argued the same way everybody did in favor of rim brakes. So I designed a hydraulic front rim brake inside the fork for him, but we were on the outs, so nothing. Later, like everyone, he started building bikes with hydraulic disc brakes.
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@VenVitMusic · 5 hours ago (edited)
I work as a bicycle mechanic, I ride a lot of different bikes with all kinds of brakes. Rim brakes generally out preforms disc brakes in terms of stopping power based on my own experience, and they are about a 3rd the price to maintain, and generally have far less issues.. Rim brakes can easily stop your wheel, the issue is usually the tires, not the brake. However, hydraulic brakes feel MUCH NICER. If you can get hydraulic rim brakes, that is the ideal imho.
@pn2543 · 11 days ago
its the physics of leverage and force, with the same force from hand lever grip, you get less stopping power with a smaller diameter and smaller pads than large pads on a large diameter rim
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@Paul-io · 3 weeks ago
I had two hydraulic disc brake bikes - one I used for Winter training here in wet Winter and hilly Auckland. It was no better than my rim brake bikes (many) that I added Kool Stop Salmon pads to.
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@ycplum7062 · 3 weeks ago
Five decades ago, disk brakes was not an option. I would ride rain or shine. In the wet, I would periodically give my brakes a very light squueze every once in a while or before I anticipate braking. Not hard, just enough to wipe some water off the rim.
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@RJ-qq8kb · 3 weeks ago
At 73, I’ve been using rim brakes forever on a 1980 vintage Schwinn Super LeTour. The rims are fine.
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@PS-ug6xe · 3 weeks ago
I have been watching your videos for some time....I think the knowledge you offer is amazing. After days of watching I just saw that you only have 5K subs? wtf! This will change ...sooner or later....there's no other way!
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@rollingreene1220 · 3 weeks ago
This a great overview of what's available now concerning bicycle brake systems - Enjoyed the presentation very much.
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