Disc brakes on a bicycle. Installation, replacement of disc brakes

Bike - it's quite efficient vehicle. On special track models can reach speeds of up to ninety kilometers per hour (such figures are available, of course, not for ordinary people). How quickly a person does not go, most importantly, time to slow down at the slightest danger. The main part of the bike - it's brakes.

What is it?

Due to the vehicle's brakes can quickly slow down your speed. Such devices there are two types. They are divided into disc brakes and rim. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the mechanism, the quality and correct installation, the stopping distance may fluctuate both in one and in the other direction. To perfectly set the brake, it is necessary to take into account many factors.

Why disc?

Rim brakes or V-Breaks, suitable except for Citybikes (city), which is simply not designed for high speeds and instant gratification. They do not need to slow down quickly. They tend to put all the bike shops, as they are cheap and easy to handle.

Disc brakes are characterized by high efficiency, good impact and complex structure. They, of course, are more expensive rim. To install them or not, you need to decide, based on the style of driving. If you get the bike to work, to shop, to drive through the parks, it will fit the usual. If extreme skiing style: rough terrain, mountains or the woods, there is already need the disc brakes on a bicycle. They are harder to maintain and must be adjusted before the first trip.

disc brake device

Disc brakes are activated by pressing on the handle. The disc itself is installed together with a wheel near the bush, he's fixed and moving simultaneously. This is one of the most important parts of the whole mechanism. The rotor (disc) is a braking surface. Rubbing it on the brake pads, which constitute the two rubber plates. One of them is movable and the second stationary. Only in very expensive mechanisms can be found two moving parts. Brake pads disposed in a device called a support. It is attached directly above the rotor. There are also regulators, with which you can adjust for the need to stop the system.

leads all in effect as at the rim brakes, a simple touch of a finger on the lever. Brake cables, which vdet in rubber sleeves, acts on the caliper and pads forces shrink. System is a bit more complicated, but in general reminds V-Breaks.

Braking power

The most important and desired quality - stopping power. The larger it is, the better. Of course, the disc is clearly above that gives the rider an advantage in many ways. Those who rode with conventional rim brakes, know that you need to press the pen in advance, because at high speed braking distance will be several meters. Disc brakes solve this problem by ninety percent. Only if the brake abruptly, the wheel sharply blocked and on inertia tires are "scratching the asphalt." Such extreme stops can quickly lead to "baldness" rubber.

The positive side of the disc brakes

Everything has its pros and cons. If the riding style required disc brakes on the bike, then they should be set. Before that, you need to learn the positive and negative aspects of this mechanism.

Also important plus for avid cyclists - unpretentiousness to the weather. Sometimes in the life of an athlete it appears black stripe, and it comes under the rain. Wet roads and paths are eroded, and it all turns into a mud mess. Lack of V-Break in the fact that all the dirt is adhered to the rim and accumulates in places where the shoe pinched. As a result, the operation of the brake deteriorates after a certain time, and then completely stopped. The worse the conditions, the more you need confidence in the reliability and serviceability of the stopping mechanism. The fact that disc brakes do not have this disadvantage because of the fact that the rotor is mounted on the hub. It does not adhere to dirt and therefore the mechanism is functioning well.

trouble as rim brakes that surface on which the rubbing pads must be perfectly flat. In real life, the rims without the so-called "eights" is very small, so you have a little laxative leverage, which reduces the sensitivity of the brake and, once again, its effectiveness. The disc is mounted directly on the hub, so it is impossible to bend. In addition, from side damage to protect his spokes. braking surface is perfectly flat, so the process of stopping the vehicle will be more successful.

The advantages of disc brakes can also include the fact that the shape of the rim does not affect anything. It is no secret that in the factories make a rim of different forms. Some better contact with the pads, some - not. Again, with the disks of such a problem does not exist.

The disadvantages of disc brakes

The negative aspects of these mechanisms have not, but there are drawbacks. One of them makes the installation more problematic - is the availability of special hardware. Install disc brakes requires certain details. If they do not, on this bike establish such a mechanism will fail.

Another drawback, which has a pocket bike owner - is the high price of the goods. To install on your bike brand new disc brake, it is required to pay a tidy sum. It is also not suitable for road bikes drive. This super light weight and do not have no need hard disk brake anything extra bikes. A relatively large mass - another drawback of this design.

Disc brakes: Replacement pads

Everything eventually comes into disrepair. Same thing with the brakes. Rubber pads are erased. Of course, everything depends on the style of riding and mileage, but sooner or later you need to replace the gum. Do it better in specialized stores, as the types and brands of brake pads very much. Sometimes, to select the appropriate size and shape of the pads, you need to go through a lot of options. It is for this reason, and should contact the specialists, who will be able to quickly find the desired item.

Types of disc brakes

The most common - a disc mechanical brakes. They are easy to maintain, tune up and repair.

The operating principle of the mechanical brakes are similar to the V-Break. On the expensive models are calipers with two pistons moving, but for the same amount you can buy a normal disc hydraulic brakes. How do they differ from each other? In hydraulics, mechanics unlike acting force acts brake fluid or oil, which presses on the wall of the caliper pistons. With this pad smoothly operate and simultaneously from two sides. It gives the maximum hydraulic braking effect.

Another plus - a brake, you can press just one finger. Effort is applied at the same time is very small, so the system is easy to use. Many people are afraid that can leak oil, but it happens very rarely. Often such damage can be addressed under warranty for free, which is issued with the purchase of hydraulic disc brakes.