Controlling a vehicle is inherently linked to speed management and the ability to react to obstacles. The higher the speed, the more serious the consequences of unforeseen situations can be, regardless of the type of transport.

For cyclists, safety is always a top priority, considering that the average speed of a bicycle is 20-25 km/h, and on flat sections, a road bike can accelerate up to 50 km/h.

It’s obvious that even falling at low speed without protective equipment can lead to serious injuries. Therefore, an effective braking system is a key element of cyclist safety.

When studying various bicycle models, one can encounter many options for braking systems. Terms such as “V-brake”, “caliper brakes”, “hydraulic brakes” and others may sound intimidating to beginners and do not give a clear idea of the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at various types of bicycle braking systems, explain their features, pros and cons, and also talk about the maintenance required to maintain their effectiveness.

Types of Bicycle Brakes

Coaster Brake

The principle of the coaster brake is to pedal backwards. Inside the rear hub are brake pads that expand when pedaling backwards and rub against the inner surface of the drum, causing the wheel to brake.

Advantages of the coaster brake include: affordable price, the ability to use with minor wheel deformations, low maintenance requirements, compactness, stable efficiency in various weather conditions, no need for adjustment, protection from external influences, and no rim wear.

However, coaster brakes also have significant disadvantages: they are only suitable for single-speed bicycles or bicycles with a planetary gear system, which limits their application. In addition, if the chain comes off, the bicycle is left without brakes, which can be dangerous at high speeds. Coaster brakes also have a “dead zone” when the cranks are in a vertical position, have a large weight, put significant stress on the spokes and hub, which can lead to wheel deformation, make maneuvering difficult when alternating between movement and braking, and provide relatively little braking force.

Rim Brakes

Rim brakes work by pressing brake pads directly against the wheel rim. This is the most common type of brakes on modern bicycles. The design includes levers, brake pads made of soft rubber, a cable in a sheath, and control handles on the handlebars. When the brake handle is pressed, the cable is tensioned, which leads to simultaneous pressing of the brake pads to the rim. The intensity of braking depends on the force of pressing the handle.

Advantages of rim brakes include: ease of maintenance and adjustment, relatively low cost (except for premium models), moderate load on spokes and hub, high braking efficiency in quality models, and a wide range of braking force modulation.

The disadvantages of rim brakes include: dependence of efficiency on weather conditions (decrease when water gets on the rim, increased wear when sand gets in), the need for frequent maintenance, rim wear, overheating during prolonged braking, difficulty in adjusting with wheel deformation, and rapid wear of brake pads.

Rim brakes are divided into several types:

1. V-brake – the most common type, where the levers form a V-shape, and the cable connects both levers. These brakes compete with disc brakes and even have some advantages in professional sports due to the lower risk of injuries during falls.
2. Cantilever brakes – predecessors of V-brakes, gradually falling out of use due to insufficient braking power and the need for frequent adjustment.
3. Caliper brakes – resembling pliers in shape, these brakes have a simple adjustment but have a large weight, less reliable mounting, and limit the thickness of the tires used.
4. Hydraulic rim brakes – a rare type that uses brake fluid instead of a cable. They provide ease of use but have a high price and are difficult to repair in field conditions.

There are also less common subtypes of rim brakes, such as U-brake and MiniV-brake, which are not discussed in detail in this article.

Disc Brakes

Disc brakes are gaining popularity, especially among mountain bikes, thanks to a number of advantages over V-brakes. Many cyclists prefer disc brakes to all other types. However, they also have disadvantages that prevent them from completely displacing other types of brakes from the market. It’s worth noting that high-end rim brake models often outperform budget and mid-range disc brake models.

Disc brakes come in two types: mechanical and hydraulic. Their working principle is similar: in mechanical disc brakes, force is transmitted through a cable, and in hydraulic ones – through brake fluid. The brake pads installed in the caliper clamp the rotor mounted on the wheel hub, providing effective braking due to the friction of metal surfaces.

Advantages of disc brakes include:

• Low maintenance and adjustment requirements
• Long service life of brake pads
• Resistance to heating during braking
• High coefficient of friction, providing quick braking
• Effective operation in any weather conditions
• Wide range of braking force modulation
• Ability to work on deformed wheels
• No rim wear

The disadvantages of disc brakes include:

• High cost, especially for quality models
• Greater weight compared to rim brakes
• Increased load on the hub and spokes
• Difficulty in repair in field conditions, especially for hydraulic systems
• Variety of brake pad types, complicating their replacement

Mechanical disc brakes are easier to repair in field conditions but are inferior to hydraulic ones in braking power, ease of control, and durability. Hydraulic brakes are more technologically advanced and reliable, but their repair outside a specialized workshop is practically impossible.

Brake Control

Brake control is carried out using levers on the handlebars and comes in two types:

1. Mechanical – brake levers are connected to the brakes by cables. This type is characterized by an affordable price but requires regular maintenance due to the open design of the cable.
2. Hydraulic – brake levers actuate brake fluid under high pressure in the hose. The fluid moves the pistons, pressing the pads against the disc. This system provides the most effective braking but has a high cost and requires special equipment for maintenance. The closed design of the hydraulic system is less susceptible to contamination.

Disc brakes are characterized by high efficiency, quick response, and wear resistance. They allow stopping the bicycle with a light press on the lever and work effectively even on deformed wheels. In addition, disc brakes maintain their effectiveness in difficult weather conditions.

However, they also have disadvantages, such as high cost and greater weight compared to other types of brakes. Also, you should avoid getting lubricants on the brake pads and rotor, as this can lead to loss of braking efficiency and the need to replace components. When transporting and storing a bicycle with disc brakes, you need to be especially careful not to damage the rotor, as it is difficult to straighten, and riding with a damaged rotor is impossible.

Choosing Brakes for a Bicycle

Although most cyclists get a braking system complete with their chosen bicycle model, constant improvement of technologies leads to the fact that the type of brakes becomes an important factor when choosing a new bike. In addition, installing a new braking system on an existing bicycle is becoming an increasingly common practice. When choosing brakes, several key factors should be considered:

1. Purpose of using the bicycle: for urban recreational bicycles, simple and low-maintenance coaster brakes or basic v-brake systems will do.
2. Riding style: for intense and prolonged riding, disc brakes are recommended, which provide effective braking over long distances and reduce rim wear.
3. Terrain characteristics: the landscape significantly affects the load on the braking system. While rim brakes are often chosen for road bikes, powerful disc brakes with specially selected pad and rotor materials are necessary for downhill, capable of withstanding extreme loads and heating up to several hundred degrees.
4. Cyclist’s weight: this is one of the key factors affecting the overall load on the braking system. For cyclists with greater weight, more powerful braking systems such as hydraulic disc brakes are recommended, while for lighter riders, mechanical disc or quality rim brakes may be suitable.

It’s important to note that these criteria are indicative, and each experienced cyclist usually chooses a braking system based on personal preferences and experience, adjusting it to their individual needs and riding style. The recommendations given are primarily intended for beginners to help them navigate the variety of braking systems on the bicycle market and make an informed choice that corresponds to their needs and bicycle usage conditions.