Disc Brakes — Hydraulic vs. Mechanical?

[Dan K]

Greetings All –

Stepping up from my 5 year-old Jamis Coda Sport this Fall. Staying with the Coda (love the steel), upgrading to either the Comp (which has mechanical discs), or the Elite (which has hydraulic discs).

In terms of hydraulics vs. mechanicals, looking for opinions regarding both performance and upkeep (frequency and cost).

Thanks in advance!

Topic

[vvill]

I tried Lyras once as a stock part on a bike I otherwise liked upon test riding (Kona Jake). Thought they were terrible, and had them swapped out with [road] BB7s before buying the bike.

[peterw_diy]

@peterw_diy 179915 wrote:

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

To clarify further, “I suppose…” was not sarcasm. I really expected, given your sociable nature and the usual precision of your commentary, that you actually were familiar with streetsmarts’ commute. I expected you’d say something like “Yeah, I’d expect shorter life for something like jrenault’s urban longtail” or “Vicegrip probably would get 3x that brake life since he rides the MUPs while the rest of us sleep” or something.

[hozn]

@peterw_diy 179920 wrote:

To clarify further, “I suppose…” was not sarcasm. I really expected, given your sociable nature and the usual precision of your commentary, that you actually were familiar with streetsmarts’ commute. I expected you’d say something like “Yeah, I’d expect shorter life for something like jrenault’s urban longtail” or “Vicegrip probably would get 3x that brake life since he rides the MUPs while the rest of us sleep” or something.

Ah, that was not clear. I don’t know her commute, though I suppose it’s all in the FS database if I wanted to dig it up.

My original comment was based on the memory of TRP spec’ing pads that would get eaten up in any off-weather riding. If pad wear seems abnormally low, this probably indicates a need to replace them with something different.

[Crickey7]

We have two data points in agreement that the prediction sounds generally right for average riding styles and routes, recognizing that not all riding styles and routes are average. I think most readers are capable of seeing that, comparing that to their own observations, and factoring in variables that might be expected to cause longer or shorter lifespans.

Objection overruled.

[reji]

@Judd 179881 wrote:

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

I had a problem wheel this past January on my Renegade. Couldn’t get the tire to hold air.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]18183[/ATTACH]

[peterw_diy]

@Crickey7 179925 wrote:

Objection overruled.

Meaning… I am officially grumpy? I guess it could be worse: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/12/us/declared-legally-dead-as-he-sat-before-the-judge.html

[streetsmarts]

@hozn 179911 wrote:

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

Well, since you said so Hozn: Guess what? I just might be buying those BB7’s tomorrow. Guess what else: the seller’s name is Hans!! Coincidence???!!

Also, I may be asking Jon R or someone else to help me install them since he’s not far away!!

[hozn]

Excellent! I think that will be a good long-term set of mechanical brakes. BB7s are basically the benchmark brake.

Yeah, I’ve met the other Hans only once. I think he’s a good guy

You could ask him if he could help you swap out your calipers. Or I’m sure many of us could. I think I’m a little out of your way/commute, but also happy to help.

[Author]

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