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Brakes

Road brakes have split into two worlds: rim brakes and disc brakes. Disc brakes (hydraulic flat-mount) are standard on new bikes and offer consistent stopping in all conditions. Rim brakes remain on millions of existing bikes and are lighter, simpler, and cheaper to maintain. Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo make both types across their groupset ranges. Third-party options from TRP, Hope, and Swiss Stop fill specific niches. Your frame determines which type you can run — there's no converting between the two.

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Buying Guide

Road Brake Buying Guide

Disc vs Rim

Hydraulic disc brakes provide consistent modulation in rain, heat, and sustained descents — they don't fade and don't care about wet rims. Flat mount is the road disc standard, replacing the older post mount. Rim brakes are lighter (200-300g less per bike), more aerodynamic, and mechanically simpler. Modern rim brake pads (Swiss Stop FlashPro) have dramatically improved wet-weather performance. For racing where every gram matters or on bikes where simplicity is valued, rim brakes are still a valid choice. For UK riding with frequent rain and long descents, disc brakes are the pragmatic choice.

Hydraulic vs Mechanical Disc

Hydraulic disc brakes use fluid pressure for even pad engagement and excellent modulation. Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo all offer hydraulic road discs integrated into STI levers. Mechanical disc brakes (TRP Spyre, Juin Tech R1) use cables and are compatible with any STI lever — useful for upgrading older bikes. Cable-actuated hydraulic hybrids (TRP HY/RD, Yokozuna Motoko) offer better modulation than pure mechanical at lower cost than full hydraulic. For the best braking, full hydraulic is worth the investment.

Buying Used Brakes

Hydraulic brakes: check for firm lever feel (spongy means air in the system — needs a bleed). Inspect hose connections for leaks. Check piston movement is even (uneven pad wear indicates a sticky piston). Rim brakes: check pad thickness, verify the calliper arms spring back evenly, and inspect the pivot bolt for play. Brake pads are cheap consumables — don't reject used brakes just because pads are worn. Rotors should be checked for minimum thickness (stamped on the rotor) and warping (disc rub when spinning the wheel).