Every year, more and more people are switching to an environmentally friendly type of transoprt - bicycles. In some European countries, each family has several bicycles and actively uses them. We are also actively moving to this type of transport. Sports, tourism, amateur riding, a vehicle - all this is connected with bicycles. Designers of leading bicycle companies do not sit idle, and come up with more and more new devices that should primarily ensure safety and ride comfort.
The brake mechanism is one of the main in any type of transport. In the mid-90s, bicycle
disc brakes began to be actively used. This innovation made riding on it much safer. At first, disc brakes on a bicycle were expensive and were used only on expensive models. Recently, such braking mechanisms have fallen in price and have become widely used on almost all models.
The mechanism of operation for all types of disc brakes is the same, the brake disc is rigidly attached to the wheel hub. The second part of the brake mechanism, which is called "caliper", is mounted on the bicycle frame. By pressing on the brake lever, we set the brake pads, which clamp the brake disc, with the help of a piston.
There are two types of disc brakes on a bicycle - hydraulic and mechanical. Their main difference is the transmission of brake force directly to the brake pads.
In mechanical disc brakes this is done with a cable. The use of the cable as a transmission link is the most important drawback of mechanical disc brakes. After all, a cable with significant loads, as a rule, stretches, which significantly reduces the effectiveness of this type of brake system. But the main advantage that mechanical disc brakes on a bicycle have is the price. They are much cheaper than hydraulic ones.
Hydraulic disc brakes are more complex in the device, but reliable in operation. A special fluid is used here to transmit the braking force. Of course, there is a chance that this liquid will freeze during high frost, but in such climatic conditions the use of a bicycle is rare.
Hydraulic brakes are divided into closed type and open. They are most effective in operation, unlike other types of brakes. If necessary, enhanced braking is necessary to use hydraulic disc brakes on the bike, which with its reliable operation will ensure timely braking.
Installing disc brakes on a bicycle has both its advantages and its disadvantages. Among the advantages, I would like to note the smoothness and reliability of the brake even with a significant impact of the wheel, there is no impact on the wheel rim.
The main disadvantages of such a brake system are the price, increasing the weight of the bike, the difficulty of installing the trunk, and the difficulty of repair.