Bike Brake Types Compared

Bike Brakes: A Practical Guide to What’s on Your Bike

Brake technology has gotten complicated with all the types and opinions flying around. As someone who’s ridden bikes with every type of brake imaginable, I learned everything there is to know about what actually matters. Today, I’ll share the practical differences.

Rim Brakes: The Traditional Option

Rubber pads squeeze the wheel rim. Simple concept that’s worked for over a century.

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Caliper brakes are what most road bikes use. Lightweight, aero, work fine when dry. In rain they need a few wheel revolutions to squeegee water off the rim before they bite. Something to remember on wet descents.

V-brakes (linear pull brakes) have more power than calipers. Common on older mountain bikes and hybrids. Still work great. Easy to adjust yourself.

Disc Brakes: The New Standard

A rotor attached to the hub gets squeezed by calipers mounted on the fork and frame. Started on mountain bikes, now standard on most bikes.

That’s what makes disc brakes endearing to us who ride in all conditions — wet weather performance is consistent. They also handle better under long descents without overheating the rim.

Mechanical discs: Cable-actuated. Easier to service, less powerful, require more lever force.

Hydraulic discs: Fluid-actuated. More powerful, better modulation, self-adjusting. Harder to service yourself.

What Actually Matters

Whatever brakes your bike has, keep them maintained. Clean pads, adjusted properly, work better than fancy brakes that are neglected. Upgrade if you have specific problems, not just because disc sounds better.