Disc Brakes — Hydraulic vs. Mechanical?

[hozn]

@streetsmarts 179859 wrote:

Thanks Hozn. But $150 to 175… sure seems pretty high. Not as high as some car repair but still… and that’s not including labor, though maybe I could figure it out myself.

We’ll see how the next bunch of miles go. Still, it’s hard to believe that after only 18 months of riding regularly, a major part needs to be replaced.
Of course, I suppose, an experienced person wouldn’t have left the shop with these brakes on the initial purchase.

I’ll start saving my pennies!

Heh, I guess it’s all relative. To me replacing a major part after 18 months (or even 12 months) sounds reasonable. But in mileage terms, I’d think you should be getting at least 3,000 miles out of your pads and I’d hope you’d be getting over 15k miles of the calipers before things start falling apart (ideally much more than that). If you’re not getting a few thousand miles out of pads, you probably want to buy a different brand next time (e.g. Kool Stop and Jagwire probably make some compatible pads — and they probably cost less too.)

I’m sure mstone is right and that with proper adjustment these will last forever, even if the single-sided adjustment is more fiddly than dual-sided.

(You could also get a set of TRP Spyres that are the more expensive siblings to the brakes you have and pull from both sides. I don’t personally think there would be enough difference in performance to warrant the upgrade, but it does greatly simplify adjustment — just turn barrel adjust to bring in pads as they wear; eventually you also need to dial in the pads from each side with a 3mm hex.)

[streetsmarts]

Well, that’s not good at all! Curious – did you have to pay to replace the headset and rear wheel, or did the bike shop or Jamis pay to replace with quality parts?

And I’ve heard so many good things about Renegades, I’m surprised!
However, most of my friends who have them, have the models with better components, I think.

[streetsmarts]

Thanks Hozn. Learning as I go.

[Crickey7]

@streetsmarts 179869 wrote:

But in mileage terms, I’d think you should be getting at least 3,000 miles out of your pads and I’d hope you’d be getting over 15k miles of the calipers before things start falling apart (ideally much more than that).

Second on these estimates.

[Brett L.]

@streetsmarts 179868 wrote:

Well, that’s not good at all! Curious – did you have to pay to replace the headset and rear wheel, or did the bike shop or Jamis pay to replace with quality parts?

And I’ve heard so many good things about Renegades, I’m surprised!
However, most of my friends who have them, have the models with better components, I think.

I don’t know if there was ever resolution with Jamis, but my LBS has helped me out some. I didn’t replace like with like though – I made some significant upgrades from stock parts to DT Swiss wheels and Cane Creek headset.

I will caveat that I’m generally not all that easy on bike components. I’ve also managed to mangle the hub of a Shimano RS010 wheel and generally only get about 1200-1500 miles out of a chain

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[Judd]

@Brett L. 179878 wrote:

I don’t know if there was ever resolution with Jamis, but my LBS has helped me out some. I didn’t replace like with like though – I made some significant upgrades from stock parts to DT Swiss wheels and Cane Creek headset.

I will caveat that I’m generally not all that easy on bike components. I’ve also managed to mangle the hub of a Shimano RS010 wheel and generally only get about 1200-1500 miles out of a chain

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BRETT SMASH!

If I remember correctly, several folks have had issues with wheels/hubs failing on the Renegade.

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[Brett L.]

I think you do. I know of a few other people who’ve replaced the rear wheel – those who typically ride in all conditions and put a little more power through their drivetrain.

[Brett L.]

Going back to your question – they’re not great brakes, but they’ll do the job. Is an upgrade needed? Not today. Would I upgrade? I’d definitely consider it. Should you upgrade? Only if you want to.

[streetsmarts]

Thanks!

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[peterw_diy]

@hozn 179867 wrote:

I’d think you should be getting at least 3,000 miles out of your pads and I’d hope you’d be getting over 15k miles of the calipers before things start falling apart (ideally much more than that).

I suppose you have an idea what streetsmarts’ commute is like? A lot of y’all have lovely commutes that are > 80% car-free MUP, but some of us have commutes that are 100% surface streets with traffic controls every 250 feet, and we go through brake parts (and tires) more quickly.

[DCAKen]

@peterw_diy 179890 wrote:

I suppose you have an idea what streetsmarts’ commute is like? A lot of y’all have lovely commutes that are > 80% car-free MUP, but some of us have commutes that are 100% surface streets with traffic controls every 250 feet, and we go through brake parts (and tires) more quickly.

And some of us actually stop at the traffic controls

[hozn]

@peterw_diy 179890 wrote:

I suppose you have an idea what streetsmarts’ commute is like? A lot of y’all have lovely commutes that are > 80% car-free MUP, but some of us have commutes that are 100% surface streets with traffic controls every 250 feet, and we go through brake parts (and tires) more quickly.

My, someone’s grumpy.

Those were meant to be ballpark averages. There are obviously lots of variables. Do you ride in rain? Do you ride off-road? Are you using scintered metallic or organic brake pads? How heavy are you? How much elevation in your route?

But if your pads are wearing out after a thousand miles, you might want to consider switching pad materials or brands. TRP was notorious, at least with their early pads, of spec’ing organic pads that did not last long at all if ridden in wet conditions. If Tektro is spec’ing those same pads, that would be a reason to switch. And if your calipers are breaking within a couple years, they’re probably not very good.

[hozn]

Someone is selling a pair of road BB7s on DC Used for $20. That would be $20 well spent.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dcusedicyclemarketplace/permalink/2191120731118510/?sale_post_id=2191120731118510

[Birru]

I’m just getting caught up in this thread and here are a few thoughts… I think Streetsmarts is correct in thinking that while her Lyra disc brakes are entry level, they can be safe and functional with routine adjustment and maintenance. That said, a brake upgrade can be pretty meaningful, so the used BB7s hozn mentioned may not be a bad idea.

For what it’s worth, my $2699 MSRP Renegade Expert also needed some warranty replacements and upgrades from some mediocre OEM spec components. Even expensive bikes are specced to hit key price points, so I don’t see this sort of thing changing, unfortunately.

[peterw_diy]

@hozn 179901 wrote:

My, someone’s grumpy.

Nope. Just pointing out that miles traveled is a pretty weak predictor of brake life for “road” use.

[Author]

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