Disc brakes: cheap hydro vs cheap mechanical?

[hozn]

I would say look for some used Shimano hydro. I picked up a set of used XT brakes for $80 on DC Used. Those are nicer than my SLX brakes, which are also fantastic. Shimano brakes are really nice and easy to work with (bleed).

Hydro is great because kids can stop with a single finger, leaving the others to hold on better. — And you can adjust the levers in close to the bar.

We also switched to moto-style (right front) as that seemed like a good idea when learning to signal. That might backfire someday

That said, my son was functioning fine with mechanicals. Road mechanicals work well with BMX (short-pull) levers.

[anomad]

I’m a firm believer in disc brakes, hydro or mechanical. I particularly like the TRP brand that squeezes from both sides.

I’d say embrace the new technology and enjoy more predictable stopping power for kid #1. Regardless of brand or type. Hydro’s rarely need bleeding under normal use. I’ve had a cheap set of hydros on one bike for years and never touched them.

[TwoWheelsDC]

My only experience with hydros was a mountain bike…It had Shimano M355s, which I think they are on the lower end of the hydro spectrum. They weren’t a revelation or anything, but I never had any problems and never had to adjust them.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@hozn 157420 wrote:

We also switched to moto-style (right front) as that seemed like a good idea when learning to signal. That might backfire someday

I just switched my gravel bike over to moto-style when I did the 1x swap, and I’ll do the same on my road bike the next time I have the bar tape off. Makes sense for me because I do ride a motorcycle, and I also have to use my left hand to present my badge when I roll into work, so I prefer to have my right hand controlling the front brake for that.

[Crickey7]

Even cheap hydraulics have gotten pretty good. I’d stick with a recognizable brand like Shimano or Tektro. I like my Tektro’s, very reliable, never need bleeding and the pads swap out in 5 minutes.

[hozn]

@TwoWheelsDC 157452 wrote:

I just switched my gravel bike over to moto-style when I did the 1x swap, and I’ll do the same on my road bike the next time I have the bar tape off. Makes sense for me because I do ride a motorcycle, and I also have to use my left hand to present my badge when I roll into work, so I prefer to have my right hand controlling the front brake for that.

I might switch my bikes to moto style too. Right now it’d be nice since my left thumb is sprained — thanks, winter. — but in general, I don’t see the advantage to left front (at least for right-handed people). OTOH, braking to a stop with right/rear-only is now pretty quick w/ hydro + 160mm rear rotors. It would have been a riskier proposition w/ 140mm rotors (and my Spyres, though I think rotor size is bigger factor for stopping distance).

[vvill]

Yessss… moto-style rules! I have all my bikes like that. The main issue really is when someone borrows your bike and then they’re like… huh. I do have a lingering right wrist injury right now which makes it a little less ideal for the fixed gear but it’s mainly shifting that’s affected.

[jrenaut]

Do not, under any circumstances, use Avid BB5s. Ever. If someone offers you a set for free, punch them in the face, because they are not your friend.

[Crickey7]

Stay away from Avids generally. I’ve had multiple sets of Avids fail, usually due to a terminally frozen caliper.

[hozn]

I have heard only terrible things about Avid hydros, though never had a problem with BB7s. But Shimano hydro is the way to go.

[Lt. Dan]

Kid’s bike? Unless he’s going to be tearing it up racing this season, I would start with some mechanical disc brakes. Easy to service, and if he gets real good on that bike, it’s an easy upgrade to go to Hydro…

[jrenaut]

@Lt. Dan 157511 wrote:

Kid’s bike? Unless he’s going to be tearing it up racing this season, I would start with some mechanical disc brakes. Easy to service, and if he gets real good on that bike, it’s an easy upgrade to go to Hydro…

This is exactly why I say to stay away from Avid BB5s. They are the opposite of easy to service. And they need service ALL THE TIME. To be fair, with nearly 400 pounds of bike+me+kids+cargo, I’m hard on brakes. But upgrading to Shimano hydros has been fantastic.

[drevil]

One thing to consider is that kids’ bikes are smaller and you might have a lot of cable hanging out there (which could snag) or might have to get new hardware (barb, olive, bleed kit) if you cut the cables. I have trimmed Shimano hydro housing without needing a bleed kit because I was careful, but a new barb and olive are probably necessary.

Also, in my experience, kids crash more. Mechanical disc brake parts are cheaper to maintain/replace.

All said, if it was my own kid, I’d upgrade my own bike and give him/her my XT brakes

[drevil]

@jrenaut 157512 wrote:

This is exactly why I say to stay away from Avid BB5s. They are the opposite of easy to service. And they need service ALL THE TIME. To be fair, with nearly 400 pounds of bike+me+kids+cargo, I’m hard on brakes. But upgrading to Shimano hydros has been fantastic.

You’re right, BB-5s are shit. The only mech brakes that I’ve used and recommend are BB-7s, but they will never be as good as hydros. I’ve never used any other mech disc brakes besides Avid, like the Tektro, Pauls, etc.

[vvill]

I’d like to try the Paul Klampers but yeah I’ve only used BB7s myself as well. Actually, I have tried Tektro Lyras on a test ride – and then had them replaced with BB7s before I bought the rest of the bike. My other disc brakes are hydros (one SRAM, one Shimano, one TRP).

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