Bicycle brakes: overview, types, specifications and reviews

It is unlikely that anyone will argue with the fact that the brakes are one of the most important parts of any vehicle. And, in particular, a bicycle. Bicycle brakes have a great responsibility. They are responsible for health, and sometimes even for human life. Therefore, when buying a bicycle, it is worth paying attention to their quality. An inexperienced cyclist, when he comes to the store, can get confused in a variety of systems. So first you need to figure out what brakes are and how they can differ from each other.

Types of brakes

The bicycle market is growing rapidly and developing. Every year, there are more and more new technologies, solutions and spare parts. Therefore, some of the details become obsolete and do not withstand competition. Today we will discuss those types of bicycle braking systems that are actively used in our time.

So, bicycle brakes are of such types:

1. Drum.
2. Rim (in turn are divided into: cantilever, tick, hydraulic, and W-break).
3. Disk (there are: mechanical and hydraulic).

According to the national classification, the first type is called a pedal brake, and the rest - by hand. Now we will analyze each of the species separately.

Drum brakes

This type is known to many since childhood. These brakes were installed on the legendary bike "Ukraine", as well as children's bicycles "Eaglet", "Swallow" and others. It is often called the back or pedal. This is true, because it is located in the hub of the rear wheel and is activated by turning the pedals in the direction opposite to the stroke. As a result of the carriage rotation in the opposite direction, the brake pads installed inside the drum are pulled apart and the drum is pressed. The braking is due to the frictional force between the shoes and the drum. To date, this species is used in children's bicycle models, as well as in budget models of adult urban bicycles.

Advantages of drum brakes:

1. Durability . It is mainly conditioned by the fact that moisture, dust and dirt practically do not enter the mechanism of the closed type.
2. The drum brake does not wear out the wheel rim.
3. Simplicity . Such brakes do not need constant maintenance.
4. Work even in the case of curvature of the wheel , do not require fine adjustments.

Disadvantages:

1. Great weight.
2. To slow down, you need to make great efforts.
3. Inability to use on multi-speed bike models.
4. The presence of a dead zone. With the vertical position of the connecting rods, braking is not possible.
5. If the chain falls off the sprocket, the brake will stop working.
6. Drum bicycle brakes do not allow braking sharply. When every second counts, it's very important.

Drum brakes are used on simple walking bicycles. In case the chain goes down, for a safety net, many people put on the front wheel an additional brake of a different type.

Heated bicycle brakes

The barrel of the drum brakes is gradually becoming obsolete. And the leading positions in the market are rim and disc brakes. Rim for today enjoys the greatest popularity, as they are more practical than drum and cheaper disk. The principle of operation of this mechanism is quite simple: when a cyclist presses the handle located on the handlebars, a cable is pulled that transfers the force to the brake levers, and they, in turn, press the pads against the rim of the wheel. Here, again, the friction force works. Now let's talk more about each type of brake brakes.

Cantilever brakes

The mechanism consists of two levers, each of which has brake pads. The levers are attached to the pivots on the fork. With the help of two rods the cable moves the levers that hold the pads. The device is reliable and simple, but it is found on modern bicycles all the less. Other types, with a more efficient mechanism, gradually supplant it.

Clutch brakes

Bicycle brakes of this type are most often used on highway bike models. Their name perfectly characterizes the design: the pads are pressed against the rim by means of curved levers that look very much like ticks. Clamp brakes, as well as cantilevers, gradually become obsolete.

Hydraulic brake brakes

Unlike the previous two types, in the design of such brakes there are no rotating levers on which the pads are attached, and the cables that drive these levers. The principle of operation here is slightly different. In the brake handle located on the handlebar, there is a cylinder with a liquid. When pressed, it passes through the special tubes to the pressure of two cylinders mounted on the plug. These cylinders push the pads in a perpendicular direction with respect to the rim, resulting in friction and braking. Bicycle brakes of this kind are very effective, so they are used in trial. Due to the heavy weight, maintenance difficulties, poor modulation (the ability to dose the brake force with a handle) and repairability in difficult weather conditions, the hydraulic brake brakes are not adopted in other types of cycling.

V-brake brakes

As practice shows and reviews, this is the most common type of brake brakes to date. By the principle of work, they are very reminiscent of cantilever. A rope is brought to the side, to the top of one of the brake levers. When the handle is pressed, the levers on which the cartridge pads are installed move to each other and stop the wheel. Due to the parallel clamping of the shoes, the braking is very effective. Cartridge pads of bicycle brakes are easily replaced with a simple hexagon.

Since this type of brake brakes is the most common in the modern market, let us dwell in more detail on its advantages and disadvantages, marked by users.

So, advantages:

1. Simple and very efficient design, providing a good braking force.
2. Low weight compared to drum and disc brakes.
3. Low cost.
4. Durability of the mechanism.

Without shortcomings, there were also:

1. Decrease in efficiency when moisture and dirt get on the rim.
2. Acceleration of rim wear in case of contamination.
3. Inability to use wide tires.
4. If the wheel is uneven (has "eight"), it is difficult to set the brakes for this kind of quality work.

Disc Bicycle Brakes

Disc brakes moved to the bicycle industry from the automotive and motorcycle industry. As the reviews of athletes and ordinary inhabitants show, this species is the most practical. Depending on the drive, the disc brakes can be mechanical and hydraulic. In the mechanical version, the force from the handle to the brake is transmitted through the cable, and in the hydraulic version through the system filled with liquid. In both variants of brakes, the force eventually falls on the pads that press a special disk fixed to the bushing.

So, the disk brake consists of a rotor (disk) and a caliper (brake machine). Rotors can have a diameter of 140 to 220 mm. The higher this index, the larger the lever arm and the more effective the brake is. The caliper is attached to the frame or bushing. Inside it are installed pads, which are activated by means of special pistons. Bicycle pads for disc brakes are made of organic materials or metal sawdust. The first option allows smooth braking and quickly rubbed, and the second long rubbed and wears out longer.

Mechanical

Mechanical disc brakes, judging by the reviews, have such advantages:

1. Provide much more powerful braking, rather than rims.
2. Allow to control the braking force.
3. Work in all weathers. Dust, dirt and moisture practically do not affect the quality of braking.
4. Do not wear off the rim.
5. Do not interfere with the use of wide tires.
6. Effectively work on a curved rim.
7. Long serve.
8. Do not need special maintenance.
9. The rotor is much smoother than in hydraulic brakes.
10. Cables do not need special operation, unlike hydrolysines.

Of course, the reviews also note shortcomings:

1. Not repaired in the field without a special tool.
2. Due to the variety of models and modifications, the search for spare parts is a bit difficult.
3. During transportation of the disassembled bicycle, the probability of curvature of the rotor at any mechanical impact is high.
4. Sometimes prevent the attachment of the bike carrier.
5. They have a lot of weight with respect to the rim brakes.
6. Cost more expensive than rim models.

Hydraulic

Disc hydraulic bicycle brakes have the same advantages as mechanical ones, plus a few of their own:

1. The most powerful braking force among all kinds.
2. Excellent braking force control.
3. Work in all weather conditions.
4. Easy stroke brake knob.

Disadvantages of hydraulic brakes:

1. Repair of the waterline is quite problematic.
2. In the case of curvature of the rotor it is difficult to align.
3. The highest price relative to other species.

In addition, hydraulic disc brakes have the same drawbacks as mechanical ones.

Choice of brakes

As a rule, bicycles are already sold with brakes. Therefore, it is not necessary to puzzle over their choice to an ordinary buyer. Professionals like to collect a bike from the most liked by them details. In the first case, it is worth considering several points. First, the bicycle manufacturer is the firm that made its frame and wheels. The remaining parts, including brakes, are bought at other enterprises. Many firms that produce bicycles, put on them not very good components to understate the cost of the finished bicycle. Consider this when buying. Secondly, the kind of brakes depends on the type of bicycle. For example, on inexpensive road bikes are, as a rule, drum brakes. They can be attached to the front bicycle brakes of the same type. For low-cost mountain bikes they put W-break brakes, and expensive ones, as a rule, are disc brakes. Thirdly, companies engaged in bicycle spare parts, can produce goods in a wide price range. For example, if you ask the seller in the store to show Shimano bicycle brakes, he can take out a whole box of products, different in design and price.