3/23/15 6:27 PM

for a flat-lander they're...overkill, with strengths that dont offer any real benefits in practice (for my modes of usage). i run BB7s with ergo levers and OEM organic pads.

i do like the consistent and strong braking action in the wet, and i like the fact that braking is unaffected by dirt, but those are the only positives.

the braking progression in the dry is just too steep. when the pads first start brushing the rotor, the braking force is too little. then from there, it ramps up too quickly as lever pressure is applied. the early low braking isnt a problem, its the ramp-up thats irritating. i supposed if i'd started out with discs when i started riding like 40 years ago they'd feel more natural.

dont get me wrong, they're good brakes and they're pretty cool and all...if i lived somewhere that demanded extended braking i'd probably feel more strongly about the benefits, but where i live and how i ride theyre ...meh.

maybe its the leverage/pull not being quite right between the levers and brakes. i'm noodling on how to make them more progressive. maybe change out the organic pads for sintered-metal...or even filing the pad material so they're narrower along the brake-track.

that is all.

ps. looks like UCI is allowing discs in 2017 season -- http://road.cc/content/news/146616-disc-brakes-be-permitted-peloton-2017

Last edited by walter on 3/24/15 7:37 AM; edited 1 time in total

3/24/15 12:05 AM

Are you using organic or semi metallic pads?

Oop, organics.. try semi/metallic was y point anyway.

3/24/15 7:24 AM

The big arguments in favor of disc brakes is they don't wear out rims and avoid the generally poor braking with carbon rims.

Rim wear is a minor issue for most road riders. I have rims with almost 30,000 miles with minimal wear even ridden in a very hilly area and carbon rims are not on my want list now or probably ever.

MTB's ridden in wet and abrasive conditions can make a good case for discs but not road bikes.

3/24/15 9:49 AM

Wet road use. I grab the Scott every chance I get over the disc road bike. But wet shit, even just surface and light puddles I take the Roubaix.

I have replaced 2 Open Pro rims in the last few years from wet riding. Not to mention the black muck fest cleaning the rims and brake and area parts from the lubricated machining.

My rear TCX is got some pretty concave braking surfaces, and I tend to back brake drag off piste when very wet. I put a ceramic rear rim on my Stumpjumper which has not been effected, although the pads get used up faster. Like year and not years before replacement. Different experience when soaking wet for stopping that is as well. ;)

But after living with the disc Roubaix since 8/2014, albeit a winter never manifested here, I tend to be with Walter in the consensus dept. A wetter winter and I wouldn't be I suspect.

I have noticed the gravel road jaunts coat everything with stone dust. I assume this will aid in rim brake abrasive machining to a degree, and rotor? Have also noticed similarly to the oily film we experience that comes up to the surface, my discs need a solvent wipe as that seems to get on the rotors on drizzly rides. Performance falls off and squeeeeeeel falls on...

3/24/15 10:40 AM

BTW, nice to see you talking about what a bike's brakes feel like on the road and actual use again, after that winter....

3/24/15 10:51 AM

it's been chilly, most of my rides in the 30s...but dry, snow-free, and sometimes even sunny!

<img src=https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/1904031_10205472722129349_1723041948489247195_n.jpg?oh=61d8dd815e3d260602d41a8852e914a8&oe=557D86BC&__gda__=1433769091_633283a6264ee8584cc16c1d38a79bd2>
<img src=https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11052373_10205415199931330_4776198043829162599_n.jpg?oh=64470c0898ca9aa56ad81b9c8e211f3f&oe=55764945>
<img src=https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/q82/s720x720/11007729_10205482021801835_4932298122047659850_n.jpg?oh=0643b365b01a1d7a29c839578ea303de&oe=55B02FA8>
<img src=https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/10645212_10205482021521828_5558052941204176464_n.jpg?oh=0b77fe9b94ed875e9de386e23d3dc0d2&oe=55703684&__gda__=1433723538_b08c621cc20f0bda08951901e184c637>
<img src=https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/q87/s720x720/11049104_10205482022361849_7586230744344309328_n.jpg?oh=a6aaef4a9f00caf2a81528c32f38393c&oe=55BB653B&__gda__=1437807672_0c93fa031183b71208bf8cc774858d27>

3/24/15 2:40 PM

That is kinda what I expected to hear from real use. I would like to hear how the pros like them on the big mountain decents.

The crane is COOL!!

3/24/15 6:53 PM

"kinda what I expected to hear from real use."

Yea, I don't see it as a one and only go fast bike. The Strong I am putting together which will have me sell off the disc Roubaix, and on pave won't be my go fast bike. The Scott will be, but it will be my off piste go fast machine, among a few other uses...

3/24/15 7:35 PM

quote:

---

the braking progression in the dry is just too steep

---

3/24/15 8:16 PM

The Spyre is dual pivot in that both sides move in the pads. I find the modulation superb FWIW.

Looks like BB7s on the MT. Exactly what I pulled off the the Roubaix for the Spyre SLCs. I found the SLCs feel and modulation/control better noticeably. On the same wheels and Rotors too FWIW. So much so these and not hydr are going on the Strong when I build it.

I have a brand new in the box BB7 set with Rotors that will stay in the box in favor of the Spyre SLCs.

3/27/15 4:14 PM

Crossed cables?

Do you run your levers MX style which forces the crossed cables on the TT.

3/27/15 9:29 PM

Std routing, right = rear

3/28/15 5:29 AM

post up some close ups of your cable routing for the rear brake. I see now the crossed cables are for shifting.

Are the cable stops for the rear disk on the bottom of the TT?

3/28/15 10:50 AM

"Are the cable stops for the rear disk on the bottom of the TT?"

Found this pic in a queue, links from original thread pics not resolving...

I recall we talked about the white housing going to the rear.

Still think that was a great sexy project, hope Walter enjoys it as much and it's looks suggest. ;)




So Walter, what is your medium term review on the MajTayor?? Sans the disc brakes... ;)

3/28/15 1:13 PM

front runs along fork leg. rear runs along DT/chainstay. i actually straightened the front cable routing along the outside of the leg instead of along the back where the OEM guide is mounted.

the brakes provide *plenty* of stopping power, and there's no slop or anything like that. my issue is the low initial grab then steeper ramp-up of braking force for a given lever pull. im just not used to it.

3/28/15 1:47 PM

quote:

---

my issue is the low initial grab then steeper ramp-up of braking force for a given lever pull. im just not used to it.

---

3/28/15 1:51 PM

i'm running 28s, now on on wide H+ rims, and really appreciate the extra cush on these busted-up-frost-heaved roads.

geo is biased towards road handling, so it still handles nicely when giving it the stick. not like alot of gravel bikes that are more touring oriented. plenty stiff -- i notice no BB or HT movement. it's heavy a skosh over 20# like a steel bike, so i'll appreciate my plastic go-fast bikes when i break 'em out.

i'm using a shimano CX70 top-pull front mech and it's not a natural mesh with the ergo shifters. cable pull isnt totally sympatico...took me a long time to get dialed-in...only since this month have i gotten it perfect.

it also took a loooong time for the rear shifting to settle, it was really shifting like poo up until this month. maybe the top-tube routing just takes longer to bed in? i also cross the shift cables @ the top-tube. before the rear was under and i just moved it to over and shifting improved with that swap and other assorted adjustments -- i cant see why over vs under would matter, but maybe it does.

3/28/15 3:33 PM

I think you may consider shortening the front cable housing to a minimal length. Seems like a fairly abrupt angle at the TT cable stops. Maybe the improvement is the cables slotting the housing liner??

Is there a bottom seat tube pulley boss for a bottom pull front DR? Bigger diameter pulley can diddle the pull ratio.

My Roubaix with Dura Ace 10s gear and Spyre SLC calipers is 19.8 with the XTR/SL25 Pacenti w/25C Paves. But that includes the Carbon WB holders, Flightdeck head harness/mount and the Polar mount too. And a pretty heavy saddle, albeit comfortable. Also includes the CG-R Post that is not the lightest. The SLX centerlock Ice techs not the lightest choice either for me.

Hard to build really light disc wheels, and extra Aluminum at least in the Roubaix for the dropout/disc supporting structures. I was surprised I got it under 20 to be honest.

3/28/15 8:07 PM

While they've been around for quite a while, they are anything but state-of-the-art brakes. Even a low-end hydraulic brake with likely outperform them and the best hydraulics are in another league.

3/28/15 8:56 PM

I have had BB5 and BB7, have Juicy Hydr on the 29er, and had the CX75 Shimano on the Ruben. The BB5s I got rid of as I did not like the adjust-ability [lack of] as compared to the BB7s, but they worked as well, fair to good.

The Juicys are the best of the group with the Spyre SLCs a very close second IMO, CX75s a very close third. All good to excellent with 160mm except the CX75 setup had a front 180mm rotor. The Juicys just feel more tactile once the pads are in play with the rotors. Not that they stop better, just feel better at the lever. But they are MTN levers and not road levers, a difference in itself?

I do not believe I have got any of them overly hot as to comment on heated use in function.

4/1/15 8:13 AM

http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/news/campagnolo-ceo-we-will-never-make-a-disc-brake_365127












April Fools!

4/1/15 6:01 PM

dead link

4/2/15 5:37 AM

It doesn't work if you search for it on the Velonews site. I wonder if someone from Campagnolo objected and they took it down?

BTW, I've found that Campy shifters work well with SRAM front derailleurs. I haven't tried them with Shimano, so I can't comment.

4/2/15 10:45 AM

...many, they feel good!

4/2/15 1:24 PM

Reverse for me....first ride on my disc bike after riding calipers all summer...man they feel great.

It must be the BB7s.