Brake Dilema?

[BorderReiver]

I got my first hydraulic disc road bike last year and wouldn't go back to rim brakes now. I'm curious to know how long I can expect the rotors to last though? I've never heard of anybody, anywhere wearing out a set of rotors on the road but they are fairly new. Anybody know about this?

 

[EasyPeez]

So those that have not experienced any such noise related issues, what sort of annual mileage are you doing?

I did 4,500 miles last year and another 1,200 so far this year using TRP Spyres (mechanical discs); great performance, easy to adjust, no judder or sticking and no squeal except when wet (then they squeal like hell until dry again). Wouldn't hesitate to recommend as a low-cost disc option.
Last August I bought a second bike so now my mileage is split between the two. Second bike has BB5 disc calipers - perform ok but faffy to adjust, seem to need constant tweaking, and some squeal and judder under hard braking. Would not recommend.

Both brake as well as the best rim brakes I've ridden in the dry, and significantly better in the wet.

Can't comment on hydros as I've never ridden them but if/when buying again I'll would/will be looking to take a bike with the best Shimano hydros on a long test ride with a view to getting a bike with those on if sufficiently impressed.

If you explain your dilemma, given the fact that you're obviously going to be dropping a fair wedge on a bike one way or another, couldn't you sort out an extended test on an Enigma with hydros?

 

[AlanW]

If you explain your dilemma, given the fact that you're obviously going to be dropping a fair wedge on a bike one way or another, couldn't you sort out an extended test on an Enigma with hydros?

My local LBS has one that I can borrow for a quick 1/2 hour test, even if it is the size is a little to large it will give me a quick overview. If I want an extended ride on the correct sized bike then apparently Engima will send one to them at a cost of £60 to cover the shipping. If I then buy one, I will get that money refunded, which is fair enough.

 

[annirak]

Perhaps there is a tradeoff point you haven't considered. TRP offers a hybrid brake: the Hy/Rd. It is a cable-actuated hydraulic piston system. You get the repairability of cables, and the self-adjustment of hydraulic. https://www.trpbrakes.com/category.php?productid=1198&catid=206

 

[AlanW]

Perhaps there is a tradeoff point you haven't considered. TRP offers a hybrid brake: the Hy/Rd. It is a cable-actuated hydraulic piston system. You get the repairability of cables, and the self-adjustment of hydraulic. https://www.trpbrakes.com/category.php?productid=1198&catid=206

Interesting link, thanks

 

[EasyPeez]

If I want an extended ride on the correct sized bike then apparently Engima will send one to them at a cost of £60 to cover the shipping. If I then buy one, I will get that money refunded, which is fair enough.

If it were me I'd be taking them up on this offer; you'll get a better idea of how the brakes suit you that way than by asking people on here who all have different preferences and experiences.

Perhaps there is a tradeoff point you haven't considered. TRP offers a hybrid brake: the Hy/Rd. It is a cable-actuated hydraulic piston system. You get the repairability of cables, and the self-adjustment of hydraulic. https://www.trpbrakes.com/category.php?productid=1198&catid=206

Best of both worlds? Or worst? Can't remember who but I'm sure someone on here mentioned in another thread about their LBS taking the Hy/Rds off bikes and replacing them with the supposedly inferior Spyres due to the added faff and unreliability of the Hy/Rds.
@mythste has Hy/Rds I think. Sure others will have too. I have tried them on a friend's bike and didn't like the amount of lever pull. I like my levers to give instant feedback, not come all the way back to the bars. Could have been a set up issue but a Google search brings up plenty of other mentions of it.

Cheers.

 

[goody]

Me, got two bikes CAADX commuter/ audax / cross type rides done loads of miles on it (rough guess 10,000 looking at strava) with TRP HY/RD calipers when set up properly they're fine but can squeal in the wet. Pads last for ages probably on my third set still on original discs but are on the list to be replaced they have worn with a high ridge on the outer edge which makes it fun getting the wheel out.
Nice bikes a Synapse (carbon) rim brakes only used for nicer long rides wouldn't want discs on it. Maybe in a few years when I replace my 'best' bike it'll have flat mount through axle hydraulic discs but at the moment I'm happy with rim brakes.

 

[mythste]

If it were me I'd be taking them up on this offer; you'll get a better idea of how the brakes suit you that way than by asking people on here who all have different preferences and experiences.



Best of both worlds? Or worst? Can't remember who but I'm sure someone on here mentioned in another thread about their LBS taking the Hy/Rds off bikes and replacing them with the supposedly inferior Spyres due to the added faff and unreliability of the Hy/Rds.
@mythste has Hy/Rds I think. Sure others will have too. I have tried them on a friend's bike and didn't like the amount of lever pull. I like my levers to give instant feedback, not come all the way back to the bars. Could have been a set up issue but a Google search brings up plenty of other mentions of it.

Cheers.

As far as I can tell, yeah, there is a good amount of lever pull and there's not A lot you can do about it. As I'm typically carrying luggage that equals easier modulation for me but YMMV. I can see the merit in having less pull if you're bombing it through the Alps, for example!