It is unlikely that anyone will argue with the fact that brakes are one of the most important parts of any vehicle. And, in particular, a bicycle. Bicycle brakes have a big responsibility. They are responsible for health, and sometimes even for human life. Therefore, when buying a bicycle, you should pay attention to their quality. An inexperienced cyclist coming to the store can get confused in the variety of systems. Therefore, first you need to figure out what the brakes are and how they can differ from each other.
Types of brakes
The bicycle market is growing and developing rapidly. Every year more and more new technologies, solutions and spare parts appear. Therefore, some details become obsolete and do not withstand competition. Today we will discuss those types of bicycle brake systems that are actively used in our time.
So, bicycle brakes are of the following types:
- Drum
- Rim (in turn, are divided into: cantilever, tick-borne, hydraulic, and Wi-break).
- Disk (there are: mechanical and hydraulic).
According to popular classification, the first type is called the pedal brake, and the rest - manual. Now we will analyze each of the species separately.
Drum brakes
This type is known to many since childhood. These brakes were installed on the legendary bicycle "Ukraine", as well as children's bicycles "Eaglet", "Swallow" and others. It is often called rear or pedal. This is true, because it is located in the rear wheel hub and is driven by turning the pedals in the opposite direction to the travel. As a result of rotation of the carriage in the opposite direction, the brake pads installed inside the drum are pulled apart and press the drum. Braking occurs due to the frictional force between the pads and the drum. To date, this type is used in children's models of bicycles, as well as in budget models of adult urban bicycles.
Advantages of drum brakes:
- Longevity . It is mainly due to the fact that moisture, dust and dirt practically do not get into the closed-type mechanism.
- The drum brake does not wear out the wheel rim.
- Simplicity . Such brakes do not need constant maintenance.
- They work even in case of curvature of the wheel , do not require fine adjustments.
Disadvantages:
- A lot of weight.
- To slow down, you need to make great efforts.
- Inability to use on multi-speed bike models.
- The presence of a dead zone. When the rods are upright, braking is not possible.
- If the chain falls off the sprocket, the brake will stop working.
- Drum bicycle brakes do not give the opportunity to brake sharply. When every second counts , it is very important.
Drum brakes are used on simple walking bikes. In case the chain drops, for greater safety, many put on the front wheel an additional brake of a different type.
Rim bicycle brakes
The drum brake hub is gradually becoming obsolete. And the leading position in the market is occupied by rim and disc brakes. Rims are most popular today, since they are more practical than drum and cheaper than disk. The principle of operation of this mechanism is quite simple: when a cyclist presses a handle located on the handlebar, a cable is pulled, which transfers force to the brake levers, and they, in turn, press the pads to the wheel rim. Here, again, the force of friction works. Now let's talk more about each type of rim brakes.
Cantilever brakes
The mechanism consists of two levers, on each of which brake pads are located. Levers are attached to the pivots on a fork. Using two rods, the cable moves the levers that press the pads. The device is reliable and simple, but it is found on modern bikes less and less. Other types, with a more effective mechanism, gradually displace it.
Tick brakes
Bicycle brakes of this type are most often used on road bike models. Their name perfectly characterizes the design: the pads are pressed to the rim by means of curved levers that look very similar to pincers. Tick-borne brakes, like cantilever brakes, are gradually becoming obsolete.
Hydraulic Rim Brakes
Unlike the two previous types, in the design of such brakes there are no rotating levers on which the pads are mounted, and cables that drive these levers. The principle of work here is a little different. In the brake handle located on the steering wheel is a cylinder with fluid. When pressed, it transmits pressure through special tubes to two cylinders mounted on the plug. These cylinders push the pads in a perpendicular direction with respect to the rim, resulting in friction and braking. Bicycle brakes of this type are very effective, so they are used in the trial. Due to the heavy weight, difficulties in maintenance, poor modulation (the ability to dose the brake force by the handle) and maintainability in difficult weather conditions, the rim hydraulic brakes did not take root in other types of cycling.
V-brake brakes
As practice and reviews show, this is the most common type of rim brakes to date. By the principle of operation, they are very similar to cantilever ones. A cable is brought in from the side to the top of one of the brake levers. When the handle is pressed, the levers on which the cartridge pads are mounted shift to each other and stop the wheel. Thanks to the parallel pressing of the pads, the braking is very effective. The bicycle brake cartridge pads are easily replaced with a simple hexagon.
Since this type of rim brake is the most common in the modern market, we dwell in more detail on its advantages and disadvantages noted by users.
So, the advantages:
- Simple and very effective design providing good braking power.
- Light weight compared to drum and disc brakes.
- Low cost.
- The durability of the mechanism.
There were also some shortcomings:
- Decrease in efficiency at hit on a rim of moisture and dirt.
- Acceleration of rim wear in the event of contamination.
- The inability to use wide tires.
- If the wheel is uneven (has a figure of eight), brakes of this type are difficult to set up for quality work.
Disc bicycle brakes
Disc brakes migrated to the bicycle industry from the automotive and motorcycle industries. As the reviews of athletes and ordinary inhabitants show, this type is most practical. Depending on the drive, disc brakes can be mechanical or hydraulic. In the mechanical version, the force from the handle to the brake is transmitted through the cable, and in the hydraulic - through a system filled with fluid. In both versions of the brakes, the force ultimately falls on the pads, which press a special disc mounted on the sleeve.
So, a disk brake consists of a rotor (disk) and a caliper (brake machine). Rotors can have a diameter of 140 to 220 mm. The higher this indicator, the larger the lever arm and the more efficient the brake is. The caliper is mounted on a frame or sleeve. Inside it there are pads that are driven by special pistons. Bicycle pads for disc brakes are made of organic materials or metal filings. The first option allows smooth braking and quickly wipes up, while the second lays down for a long time and wears out longer.
Mechanical
Judging by the reviews, mechanical disc brakes have the following advantages:
- Provide much more powerful braking than rim braking.
- Allows you to control the braking force.
- Work in any weather. Dust, dirt and moisture have almost no effect on the quality of braking.
- Do not wear the rim.
- Do not interfere with the use of wide tires.
- Effectively work on a curved rim.
- Long serve.
- Do not need special maintenance.
- The rotor aligns much more easily than in hydraulic brakes.
- Cables do not need special operation, unlike hydraulic lines.
Of course, reviews also note the disadvantages:
- They are not repaired in the field without a special tool.
- Due to the variety of models and modifications, the search for spare parts is a little difficult.
- During the transportation of a disassembled bicycle, the rotor may be curved due to any mechanical impact.
- Sometimes they interfere with the mounting of the bike carrier.
- They are heavy relative to rim brakes.
- Cost more than rim models.
Hydraulic
Hydraulic disc bicycle brakes have the same advantages as mechanical, plus a few of their own:
- The most powerful braking force among all types.
- Excellent braking force control.
- Work in any weather conditions.
- Easy running brake handle.
Disadvantages of hydraulic brakes:
- Repairing the hydraulic line is quite problematic.
- In case of curvature of the rotor, it is difficult to align.
- The highest price relative to other species.
In addition, hydraulic disc brakes have the same drawbacks as mechanical ones.
Brake selection
As a rule, bikes are already sold with brakes. Therefore, the average buyer does not have to puzzle over their choice. Professionals like to assemble a bike from the parts they like most. In the first case, it is worth considering several points. Firstly, the manufacturer of the bicycle is the company that made its frame and wheels. Other parts, including brakes, are bought at other enterprises. Many companies that produce bicycles put on them not very good components in order to underestimate the cost of the finished bike. Consider this when buying. Secondly, the type of brakes depends on the type of bike. For example, on inexpensive road bikes are usually drum brakes. These may include rim-type front bike brakes. Wi-break brakes are put on cheap mountain bikes, and disc brakes on expensive ones, as a rule. Thirdly, companies engaged in bicycle parts can produce goods in a wide price range. For example, if you ask the seller in the store to show Shimano bicycle brakes, he can take out a whole box of products that vary in design and price.