Reason why I only use high end disc brakes

[AndyBike]

 

[Bikes4two]

Andy, what are we looking at here? It just looks like the rider hit something and went over the handlebars.

I use v-brakes on my bike - more than edquate power to stop (as in I have to watch out to not lock the wheels if I apply too much squeeze).

I have had hydraulic disc brakes and they are nice though, as are my Magura hydraulic rim brakes.

 

[AndyBike]

Andy, what are we looking at here? It just looks like the rider hit something and went over the handlebars.

Hes ridden into the back of a bin lorry at speed and completely without -by the looks of it little to no braking.

Obviously my title is a bit misleading, i grant that.
He appears to be looking up, has one leg out which in the 1 1/2 seconds before hitting he's trying to put on the ground. So I would say his brakes are completely non functional* or speed and mass have overwhelmed them

* Looking at the bike bits we can see, its a really cheapo fork. big steel cheapo crankset, and on the fork leg a disc caliper. Offroad tyres looking like the center is worn badly, but either way there pretty much the wrong thing for road use.
So the bike has been touted as a mountainbike, but its unsuitable for that. A completely misleading pile of nonsense from the catalogs or helfrauds.
Cheap bike(a BSO) isnt going to have that capable a brake on it, and likely the cable type - judging from the rest and knowing pretty much what they put on these type of bikes
But either way. The brakes arent stopping him and i would say he's lucky to still be alive.

So better brakes are always worth the investment, because of al the parts, those are the safety aspect that prevents accidental injury or death.

I think this is why im so brake obsessed. Sure a bike needs wheels, and the other bits, but when moving the most important factor is the braking, and if you've bought a bike with cheap brakes, then the best thing to do for your own health is to throw them in the bin and buy something proven to be capable.

I do wish there was better legislation that prevented companies from touting something that it obviously isnt.

 

[AndyBike]

I use v-brakes on my bike - more than edquate power to stop (as in I have to watch out to not lock the wheels if I apply too much squeeze).

I have had hydraulic disc brakes and they are nice though, as are my Magura hydraulic rim brakes.

I used V brakes bitd. shimano M600's were about the best of the lower end brakes, lots of power for sure. With the parallel push XT and XTR were a bit better. On ceramic rims in the dry they were the business, not so great in the wet, but no rim brake ever was.
Never had maguras HS33 are they. hey used to be called rim crushers they were damn powerful, pretty much the go to racing brake of the early 90's

 

[Nealh]

Looks to me like a spoof video set up for posting on SM, a video camera esp set up on the back of a truck/van.
It has very little to do with which quality components to use on a bike.

Andy Bike often posts about his expensive tastes for so called quality top end components blah, blah, tbh what he spends his money on is up to him.
Unless ones riding is very extreme then most riders won't see or feel the benifit of the cost on upgrades.

All my bikes use generic 2 pot calipers onthe hydraulic brakes and they more then adequately stop me, it's not about price or better this then that . The main point like any vehicle is maintenance and having components set up and working correctly.

The other object of desire that makes me laugh is forks this and forks that blah,blah, that many go on about.

 

[Bikes4two]

Yes, possibly a spoof video maybe set up by the 'wearing a helmet saved my life' brigade. Mind you, if it's a genuine incident, the rider probably was pleased to have his skid lid on.

Yes Andy, Magura HS33 - they're on our tandem and we've toured a fair bit with full camping kit and the Maguras have been more than edequate on some very fast descents although ocassionally we use the third brake (cable operated disc) to help share the heat load around a bit.

On one tour (solo camping) in the French Alps, my mate and I had to cool our rims off in a small stream - on immersing, the steam came off - we were lucky to not have caused tyre/tube damage due to heat. Now some would argue that with disc brakes the heat is not near the tyre/tube but conversely a disc has much less cooling area and mass and overheating could lead to disc warp and/or hydraulic fluid boil, but I'm no expert in that particular area.

 

[cyclebuddy]

Looks to me like excessive speed given the prevailing conditions/surroundings. If you're going to ride like an a55hole, be sure you've got the competence and equipment needed to control your vehicle.

If you've a crap bike with crap brakes (and clearly a crap brain), ride at an appropriate speed so you're able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear. Isn't that what is says in the Highway Code? Just because you're on a bike doesn't exempt you.

 

[Zlatan]

The nut holding the handle bars is first thing to upgrade.I, d start there in video.
It's been my experience that most, if not all, types of brakes are adequate if properly maintained. Suspect what we are paying for is feel and progressive braking with high end stuff. Hydraulic disc brakes are obviously better, both with feel and ultimate braking force. (removing stretchy cables has got to be progress). When I use my old Trials bike it's the give in cables you find disconcerting. Jumping onto modern stuff and being able to lock wheels with 2 fingers is great but can cause its own issues.
On my emtbs I, d be happy with well sorted V brakes.
On the forks comment, I do suspect there is a price point not worth going below. Personally would rather have no forks (ie no suspension) than really cheap ones. Some forks fitted to "cheap bikes" add weight and complication for no real benefits. Again, a good set of hard forks is fine.. Lighter, stiffer and predictable. Cheap forks are none of those.
Last year built an emtb for grandson. No(telescopic) forks, no disc brakes and it's great. (upgraded to V brakes tho). He can stop just as quick as I can. But then again his bike is pulling up under half the weight of mine.
Not keen on cable disc brakes. Probably OK but you are still reliant on stretchy cables.?? But no doubt they give sterling service to some.

 

[flecc]

When over half of Britain cycled for every purpose in the 1950s and before and did so at around 10 mph, considering three times walking speed quite fast enough, they didn't have to worry about their brakes. With chromed steel rims they never worked in the wet anyway.

It's today's racing around at 20mph or more that is causing all the deaths and injuries. At 10 mph stopping is easy and nobody goes over the handlebars at that speed. At 20 plus it's only a matter of time for flying to be experienced.
.

 

[WheezyRider]

I still use rim brakes and find them completely adequate, even in the wet. However, last year I finally had to change my brake blocks as after many years of use, they had worn out. I used Shimano blocks as replacements as they are well known brand, but was disappointed that although they worked well, after two months they had completely worn out. I found some cheap Chinese replacements. They do not wear out so fast and seem to work ok, but they squeal like mad when braking. Can anyone recommend a decent brake block brand?

 

[guerney]

Stopping from 30-ish mph on a hill like that, would be challenging for any brake type? It's fortunate the rest of the video showing him getting compacted and dumped in a landfill wasn't uploaded (or perhaps it was ).

I still use rim brakes and find them completely adequate, even in the wet. However, last year I finally had to change my brake blocks as after many years of use, they had worn out. I used Shimano blocks as replacements as they are well known brand, but was disappointed that although they worked well, after two months they had completely worn out. I found some cheap Chinese replacements. They do not wear out so fast and seem to work ok, but they squeal like mad when braking. Can anyone recommend a decent brake block brand?

I use these which wear out quite fast - cheap, seem kind to rims (so far), work well in the wet. I'd rather wear out blocks than rims.

Pardon our interruption...

www.ebay.co.uk

I've been told by the shop I bought my rims from, that Ashima brake blocks wear rims a bit slower than Clark's:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/V-BRAKE-CARTRIDGE-SHOE-PAD-FUNCTION/dp/B009YZ6RHM

 

[AndyBike]

although occasionally we use the third brake (cable operated disc) to help share the heat load around a bit.

Is that the old Hope one. They originally did a big tandem rear. You'll have to remind me. I seem to remember a ratchet lock on the lever to act as a partly on drag brake for the extra weight of the tandem going down hills.
Theres a lot of early brake history and development due to tandem needs.

This is one from my collection I sold a bit back(helped pay for my ebike)
First generation Hope cable brake, wide flange hub and steel axle.
History of Hope Technology is part of my obsession that really seems to grate with Nealh


@Nealh. whatever. stick to what you like or feel is adequate for yourself. I promote higher end kit because in offroad riding we never go for poor quality or cheap tat for a very good reason.
Because im now forced by health not to do any more offroad, i still pay attention to the developments of the sport. and the development of the parts it uses. Im on several forums. RB,pinkbike, Emtb, and a couple of others

Cheap is cheap, and it doesnt matter if its a set of brakes, a television,a wristwatch or anything, Cheap will always be cheap. Simple proverb - buy cheap, buy twice. I didnt invent or coin that phrase, it came about from peoples experience.
Cheap kit doesnt last, and id rather not spend my small income on things that dont. Im a true Scotsman.

And yes i do 'go on' about higher end kit, because thats what i think is good for people to use. Many on here ,who dont and have never owned a mid drive motor constantly criticize them.
Its all hub motor this, and hub motor that. buy a volt measure thingy and have experience in electronics, I switch my bike on and go for a ride. Im confident whatever comes along it can handle. I know this because ive been riding, building and servicing for about 1/4 century.