How Many Types Of Bike Brakes? 4 Types
Jane Tu - December 9, 2022You’ll discover what each brake type looks like and how each kind functions in this guide to various bike brakes. The different types of bike brakes include coaster, drum, rim, hydraulic, cantilever, caliper, V-brakes, and many more.
But in this post, I’ll describe 4 types of bike brakes. However, before we examine the four main types, be aware that the majority of bicycle brakes fall into one of three categories: drum, rim, or disc.
What Are Bike Brakes?
The component of a bicycle that allows you to control your speed is the brake.
When you apply the brakes to your bicycle, you will ride more slowly and, if necessary, come to a complete stop.
Brakes are obviously a bike’s most important safety feature. They enable cyclists to quickly alter their riding speed to better suit their surroundings and steer clear of potential hazards.
How Many Different Types of Bike Brakes?
Bicycle brakes come in four different categories: disc, rim, coaster, and drum brakes.
The most well-known and frequently used types of brakes are generally regarded as disc brakes and rim brakes. Nevertheless, every one of these brakes comes with a special set of advantages, capabilities, and compatibility with particular cycling disciplines.
Here, you’ll discover each brake type’s advantages and disadvantages as well as the sports they work best in.
Bicycle Disc Brakes Explained
One of the most potent kinds of bicycle brakes available is the disc brake. Due to their improved responsiveness and consistent performance in all weather conditions, they are arguably the most well-regarded brakes in cycling, despite having been developed after the rim brake.
Disc brakes can accommodate mountain bikers on challenging off-roading expeditions and competitions thanks to their robust braking capability and adaptability.
Having said that, disc brakes are also appropriate for recreational, non-competitive cycling. They are a common sight on many new hybrid and commuter bikes, and their popularity has grown quickly in recent years.
Bicycle Rim Brakes Explained
Since the invention of disc brakes, the use of rim brakes, an older type of brake, has gradually declined.
Rim brakes are a common brake choice for road cyclists who want to be as aerodynamic as possible because they are lightweight and small.
Rim brakes typically sit above the wheel and, when applied pressure, cause friction to be applied to the braking surface surrounding the rim. The wheels will turn less quickly as a result of the increased friction.
There are several different styles of rim brakes available:
Caliper Rim Brakes
Since they are compact and effective, caliper rim brakes are frequently seen on road bikes.
Single-pivot calipers and dual-pivot calipers are the two different types of caliper rim brakes.
Dual calipers have two pivot points, whereas single calipers only have one.
Dual-pivot calipers have more modulation and power than single-pivot caliper rim brakes thanks to their increased leverage.
V Brakes
V brakes were once thought to be a fantastic option for off-roading and hybrid biking.
Despite the fact that disc brakes are more frequently used now, some cyclists still use V brakes.
In comparison to many other brakes, V brakes are strong and powerful with long arms for increased stability.
Cantilever Rim Brakes
Despite being similar to a V brake, a cantilever rim brake performs better on slick and muddy surfaces.
A straddle cable that connects them both pulls the cantilever rim brakes tight. Due to their wider tire clearance and powerful stopping ability in all weather conditions, cantilever brakes are favored by some cyclocross riders.
Most new bikes don’t have cantilever rim brakes, so older bikes typically have them.
Bicycle Coaster Brakes Explained
A special kind of brake called a coaster brake requires riders to stop their bikes by pedaling backward.
Since coaster breaks are perfect for leisurely rides in cities, they are frequently found on city bikes and cruiser bicycles.
The coaster brakes are protected from rain and operate effectively in all weather conditions because they are located inside the rear hub.
Additionally, coaster brakes don’t need cables, giving the finished look of the bikes they’re used a cleaner appearance.
Cycling enthusiasts can change gears by quickly pushing the pedals counterclockwise on some internally geared hubs, which also employ a coaster brake.
Bicycle Drum Brakes Explained
Drum brakes are a particular type of hub brake that is located in the center of the wheel and use internal brake shoes to apply friction to the outer drum to slow down or stop the bicycle.
Drum brakes were a common type of brake used by automobiles and were also frequently seen on bicycles worldwide after their invention in 1902.
As a result of the disc and rim brakes’ increased reliability and simplicity of maintenance, drum brakes are no longer a common feature on new bikes.
How Do Bike Brakes Work?
As a surface is rubbed against, brakes work.
While hydraulic bikes use fluid to engage their braking pads, mechanical bikes use cables to engage the brakes.
Understanding how each of these mechanisms functions is crucial. This will allow you to choose the best type of bike brake for your riding style:
Mechanical Bike Brakes Work
The caliper is pulled and tightened when a cyclist applies a mechanical bike brake by pulling a lever that pulls a cable.
The braking pads on the caliper apply friction to the braking surface once they are tightened, which helps to slow or stop the bike.
Hydraulic Bike Brakes Work
When a cyclist applies pressure to their hydraulic brake lever, the hydraulic fluid, which is contained inside an airtight braking hose, is under pressure.
The bike will slow down or come to a stop as a result of the brake fluid being compressed, which also causes the caliper to tighten.
How to Improve Your Bike Braking Technique?
- Test the brakes before starting a road trip or a trail ride on a brand-new or rented bike. Learn how much pressure you must apply to the brakes and how responsive the entire braking system is.
- Braking should be initiated well in advance of entering a turn or riding into a berm. Related: How to ride a berm.
- Slow down and stop using the front brake when riding on slick surfaces like wet pavement, mud, snow, loose gravel, or rocks. Use the rear brake instead, but don’t pull the lever too hard.
- Keeping the back wheel fully locked out is beneficial when the riding surface is made up of very loose dirt or gravel. That is the most effective way to slow your bike down and keep it under control.
- Any braking will probably result in skidding and decreased bike control if the hill you’re riding is particularly steep. Therefore, it is not a good idea to lock out the rear wheel in this circumstance. Instead, slow the bike down with the rear brake, but not so much that the back wheel stops turning. You won’t have a lot of control if the wheel stops turning.
Using the front brake to prevent a front-wheel skid on a steep descent would be difficult. The quickest way to crash is by doing that. Even if you have the safest cycling helmet ever, you’d rather have a safe ride, right? There wouldn’t be much loss of bike control if you applied the rear brake, but it would result in a skid of the rear wheels.
What if the descent is lengthy but not always steep? The front brake and rear brake should be alternately applied in that situation. When rolling down a long, gentle slope, doing so is the best way to lessen hand fatigue.
To avoid overheating the friction areas, the rear and front brakes are alternated. Tire blowouts are frequently brought on by excessive heat. or even bring hydraulic disc brake fluid to a boil, making it impossible for them to work properly.
Dismount and fix the flat if your front tire fails. Use of the front brake will almost certainly result in the tire coming off the rim, so do not use the brake under any circumstances. And in that regard, crashes can occur.
Which Are the Best Types of Bike Brakes?
As you’ve probably already guessed, various bike brakes are appropriate for various cycling disciplines.
The two most popular cycling specialties, road biking, and mountain biking will be covered in this article.
Generally speaking, mountain biking enthusiasts agree that disc brakes are the best braking option.
This is because disc brakes are safer to use on off-road trails than rim brakes because they are much stronger and more long-lasting.
With disc brakes, you don’t have to worry as much about tires overheating or brakes slipping as easily in the mud, allowing you to concentrate on the terrain ahead of you.
Best Types of Bike Brakes for Mountain Biking
The best braking option for mountain bikers is generally known to be disc brakes.
On hazardous off-roading trails, disc brakes are much safer to use because they are stronger and more durable than the majority of rim brakes.
With a disc brake, there is no need to be concerned about an overheated tire, brakes slipping in mud, or brakes that are unresponsive in wet weather[8].
Blowouts can easily result in injury when traveling off-road at high speed and can be caused by excessive or improper braking on lengthy downhill descents.
In professional mountain bike competitions, disc brakes are typically chosen by the majority of cyclists, especially in downhill and enduro cycling. This is something you’ll notice if you watch.
Best Types of Bike Brakes for Road Biking
Both a disc brake and a rim brake have advantages and disadvantages when used for road biking.
A lightweight rim brake would typically be preferred over a disc brake by road cyclists who are primarily concerned with their speed and aerodynamics.
You might be better off with the stopping power of a disc brake in the event of unforeseen obstacles and oncoming traffic if you commute on your road bike on busy urban roads every day.
A disc brake will function in both rain and sunshine if you intend to ride your road bike in either of these weather conditions.
If you ride an older bike with rim brakes, upgrading to disc brakes might be more trouble than it’s worth.
However, using rim brakes while riding can result in blowouts because the rim becomes overheated on lengthy, steep downhill sections, much like when mountain biking.
Conclusion
There are many 4 types of bike brakes, but you should most likely use one of the following four. These include disc brakes, calipers, cantilevers, and V-brakes. Be sure to educate yourself on the principles of braking once you have matched your preferred brake with the appropriate brake levers and bike model.
Today’s professional cyclists and many cycling enthusiasts lust after disc brakes. These are exceptional stopping solutions that exhibit outstanding performance in a variety of use scenarios. They are more expensive than any other option, but they are also more useful, adaptable, and long-lasting.
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