Re: Extensive article on Rivendell and Grant Petersen

On 9/24/2024 12:01 PM, Zen Cycle wrote:

On 9/24/2024 10:37 AM, Frank Krygowski wrote:

On 9/24/2024 5:48 AM, sms wrote:

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Even racers have now switched to disc brakes. There's a tiny weigh penalty but that is offset by improved aerodynamics.

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All my bikes since about 1970 have always had caliper brakes. I continue to ride caliper brake bikes with no problems. I see no reason to change to something that's more complex.
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So can we do a poll? How many here no longer use any bikes except those with disc brakes? How many are still somehow surviving with (horrors!) caliper brakes?

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we get it frank, you don't like disc brakes, you think they're overly complex for their purpose, and don't provide enough of an advantage over rim brakes.
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That's fine for you, all reasonably valid rationalizations.
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Some people prefer discs for equally valid rationalizations: They provide better braking power with equal if not better modulation, they work better in the rain, snow/ice, and muck (none of which are exclusive to off-road riding). That said, No one is going to agree with your implication that they provide no benefit to anyone except those pushing performance to the extremes. Disc brakes simply work better - that you may not experience that in your riding style is specific to you.
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Both my mountain bikes are disc. One came that way and the other I converted. It's one of the best equipment decisions I've ever made.
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All of my road bikes are rim brakes. I haven't converted any of them for a couple of very good reasons:
- I currently have 4 road bikes that I ride on a regular basis* and seven wheelsets. I don't need another bike right now.
- I can mix and match wheels with bikes as necessary. Having one bike with discs would limit that as well as needing to have a spare wheelset.
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As you point out, discs don't provide enough of an advantage on the road for me to spend $10K on a new complete bike, plus a Spare wheelset. Let's not forget the 'evolution' of wheel retention technologies, further limiting compatibility. Disc brakes won't offer a rider at my level enough of a performance advantage to justify the expense.
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However, If I was in a situation where I  wanted or needed a new bike, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a decent racing machine with disc brakes. They _do_ work better, and having ridden newer bikes with disc brakes, I know I won't be disappointed with the decision.

 Having read that post twice, I can say: Thanks for a post that almost entirely agrees with my positions!