Discussion: V-brake vs disc ?

95 % people who use the bike for training or racing use disc brakes. Anyway I think also v- brake system have to be reassessed for some reason :
- low and easy maintenance
- low price
- good in long slopes
- lighter
and if you get a quality v-brake also really powerful...

95%, really?
Where did you get this figure?
Do you mean for MTB, road, or both?

An interesting link...
http://www.rodbikes.com/articles/brakes.html

Only Mtb, sorry

Hydraulic discs...once you get em you wont go back!!!

The only trouble i found with V's is there serious lack of power when its wet muddy etc, and there isnt as much 'feel' that you get with discs and especially hydraulic discs...

And v-brakes add wear to rims.

Isn't it cheating to use brakes?

Only if you use them on the downhills.

It makes you tougher when you use them on the uphills.

I would argue about the low and easy maintenance of V-brakes, I got disc brakes on my last bike for the first time and they are waaaay less intensive to maintain then all my V-brakes before. It takes ages until the pads wear off. And taking rims into account, Vs are not really lighter. And I never had problems in long slopes (like going downhill a 50km slope in the alps in 45min etc.).

Anyway, trail bikes seem to have V's for the rear wheel, even the most expensive ones. I guess you just have a better feeling and more control.

First I want to say that my winter bike has v-brakes and my competition bike has disc brakes (hydraulic) I that I train a lot on both.

In wet and/or muddy conditions you don't have any breaking power with v-brakes. I think disc brakes work all the time, not just in warm and dry conditions like v-brakes. Living in Sweden, I don't get to do much mtbiking in dry conditions...

The only time I would recommend v-brakes is if you're just getting into the sport and want a light bike as cheap as possible. As Luca said, v-brakes are pretty cheap and light. And you can probably get a frame for v-brakes cheap as well since everybody wants disc brakes now.

I think this question has been thoroughly explored on the internet.

I found this page and this article informative.

What is this "internet" of which you speak?

Ironically, clicking on the "the internet" link gives this exact discussion as result #3.

This might be a more interesting post on the Adventure Racing Topics.

I started out with Vbrakes and then actually went to Hydro Rim brakes before going to Hydro Disc. I have always thought there were only 2 advantages to Vbrakes, cost and weight.

Vbrakes are definitely cost effective and great for beginners wanting to make a smaller investment. We also thought they were good for new riders since they typically have less stopping power they in turn make you roll through difficult and steep sections faster than you might with stronger brakes. This taught you how to be a faster descender.

I have always considered Vbrakes as being lighter but Seelenfliege brings up a good point about heavier rims. Not sure which would actually win out but a good consideration to make

I think Hydro brakes have advanced so much that now they require little maintenance and are built well and are much more effective than rim brakes. Not to say that certain people may not find specific uses for Vbrakes. I have seen AR racers go with rim brakes because of simplicity in case something goes wrong in a race and also weight. I can see both arguments but I still go Hydro Disc. It works better in crappy conditions which is common and when you are tired and weak you need a better response.

My Hydro Rim brakes were interesting. They were old and primarily for Trials bikes. They required a ton of maintenance (almost monthly bleeding) but definitely provided more power than Vbrakes.

So much to think about. Have just worked through 32mm bars, through axles, rear suspension and 29-inch wheels and now you want me to anguish over my brakes!

Ok I understand everyone likes hidraulics disc ( 95% as I guessed).
Here there a more interesting topic about bike components :
http://www.ar.attackpoint.org/discussionthread.jsp...