Brakes for Bicycles
The typical brake system for bicycles consists of three main components:
- A mechanism for applying rider force in the system: Smart Brake Remotes – Brake Lever,
- Brake Remote Control, or Thumb Brake. A mechanism for transmitting that force including hydraulic hoses: Smart Brake – Brake Unit
- A braking mechanism such as a caliper; disc or rim brakes.
The rider applies force in the brake system, for example by pulling the brake lever. The lever wirelessly signals the Brake Unit to activate a motor that pushes hydraulic oil through a hose into the caliper. As the force builds up inside the caliper, it squeezes the brake pads against the braking surface, causing the bike to slow down.
Disc Brakes vs. Rim Brakes
The two most common types of brakes are disc and rim brakes. The major difference between these two is where the force is applied. With a rim brake, the stopping force is applied by calipers to the outer edge of the rim itself. Disc brakes, however, move the braking surface away from the rim to a rotor. The rotor attaches to the hub, while the caliper attaches to the fork near the axle.
Both are effective, but which one is better suited for you and your bike?
First, find out what type of brakes your bike currently uses. If the bike is equipped with rim brakes, it will most likely not have the ability to add disc brakes. This depends on the frames and wheels of your bike. Many bikes with disc brakes have the option to add rim brakes. Look at the bike frame for two threaded holes 74 mm apart (one on each side of the fork).
If you are faced with the choice between the two, consider this:
Rim Brakes:
- + Rim brakes provide more braking force because they are further away from the center of mass.
- + Rim brakes are easier to repair.
- - When cycling in dirty or wet conditions, the rims become slippery, resulting in longer stopping distances.
- - The brake pads must be adjusted for rim crowns or a misaligned wheel to prevent collision between the brake pads and the rim in freewheel mode. This means a longer travel time from pulling the lever to the brake pads hitting the rim, resulting in longer stopping distances.
Disc Brakes:
- + Disc brakes perform much better than rim brakes in wet weather and are less susceptible to external influences. This is because the rotor is smaller than the rim, allowing it to spin faster and have a positive effect by flushing away water and dirt.
- + It is easier to use wider tires with disc brakes.
- + Disc brakes are more sensitive, providing better/more consistent braking.
- - Because the rotor (disc) is smaller than bicycle wheels, disc brakes have less influence on the wheel and need to clamp the rotor much harder than a rim brake to provide the same braking force. Consider adding larger rotors to compensate; going from 160 to 180 mm or 180 to 203 mm increases braking torque by 20-30%.
Conclusion
When it comes to adding a Smart Brake to your bike, it will most often depend on the bike's ability to add either disc or rim brakes. If faced with the choice, then a disc brake is the preferred braking system, as it is more sensitive and performs better under most conditions. The braking distance may vary depending on the ratio of wheel/disc and the total weight of the user + bike.
Breaking in New Brakes
Before using your new Smart Brake for the first time, you must first break in the brakes. Properly breaking in the new brake system is crucial, as this creates the correct contact surface between the brake pads and discs, providing the safest stopping power possible. Find a safe place to perform the break-in process. You want to be away from traffic and on a smooth flat surface that is easy to cycle on. Mount the bike and pedal to increase speed; as you build up speed, apply equal pressure to both the rear and front brakes to stop smoothly. When stopping, release the pressure on both brakes and start rolling again. Repeat this process at least ten times to allow the right amount of brake material to transfer between the brake pad and disc. This heats up the system, then cools it down, allowing the materials to transfer efficiently and create the most effective brakes possible.
With your brake system, especially discs, keep the brake area clean from dirt and debris. This includes solvents and cleaners, as well as dirt that can cause issues with the brake surface of the discs and pads. Additionally, be mindful of brake discs when loading or unloading your bike from racks, as well as when removing the wheels. If any of the wheels are removed from the bike, make sure not to pull the brake lever without a block inside the brake caliper. If the rotor is not present, the brake pads will press against each other and may get stuck.
