Bike brakes question

Cliecost

Hi,

I had my bike stolen yesterday. I'm going to replace it, I have two bikes in mind but the difference between them is mechanical or hydraulic disc-brakes.

This bike would be used for getting to and from work with the occasional 'off-road'.

I've had mechanical before and kept having to tighten them almost once a month. I don't know if this is normal or they were just crap.

Which is better in your opinion?

Thanks.

Cycrow

it very much depends on what the brakes actually are.

decent mechanical are better than crap hydraulic.

i personally prefer hydaulic, but only get disc brakes if they are decent, alot of cheap bikes come with some crap disc brakes

Weird_Nev

If you get disc brakes, they need to be decent as Cycrow said.
you're better off with good rim brakes than cheap discs.

Personally I'd avoid mechanical disc brakes. They're really a marketing gimick, to sell bikes with "disc brakes". They don't have the same way of magnifying the pressure on the disc as hydraulic brakes, which is what gives them their advantage.

How much are you looking to spend? What kind of bikes are you looking at? Brakes are not the only consideration, it's about getting the best all around package for your needs.

esuhl

I'd go for hydraulic. I have Avid Juicy 3 brakes (which, I think, are fairly basic/cheap) and they are soooo much better than the cheap mechanical disk brake on my old bike (which, in turn was better than any rim brakes I've used).

I've had the bike for 3 years now and have ridden about 3000 miles. I've changed the front brake pads, but haven't had to make any other adjustments over that time.

I think you're "supposed" to have the brakes bled every year... but I can't see why. If (and when) I lose braking power, I'll have them bled (or do it myself) then!

Cliecost

I'm looking between these two bikes:

Rockrider 6.3 2013 Mountain Bike, Black B'TWIN

Carrera Banshee Full Suspension

I want dual suspension. I don't really wan't mechanical brakes but will if they're good. My budget is for up to about £500.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I'm not a down hill racer, more cross country.

Thanks.

esuhl

Cliecost wrote: »

I'm looking between these two bikes:

Rockrider 6.3 2013 Mountain Bike, Black B'TWIN

Carrera Banshee Full Suspension

I've got the Rockrider 5.1 2010 (I think). It's a great bike (but I had to change the saddle and handlebar grips immediately -- it wasn't much fun riding with those, but everything else is perfect).

Cliecost wrote: »

I want dual suspension.

I'm not a down hill racer, more cross country.

I don't know much about bikes, but I've heard that it's not worth getting rear suspension unless you're looking at a bike over £1000. And anyway, if you're not a downhill racer... why do you need rear suspension?

I cycle cross country and I'm glad I don't have rear suspension -- it'd be even more effort to get anywhere! If I'm going over a bump, I just stand out of the saddle and use my knees for suspension!

Johnmcl7

I wouldn't buy a full suspension bike for £500 as it's just too cheap, it means you have to skimp on all the other components and rear suspension in that price range is poor. That price range will get you a reasonable hard tail which will be a better bike as you'll have better components and you won't lose out not having a budget rear suspension system.

I decided to start mountain biking last year and spent a while looking into it as I didn't want to spend a fortune on a bike if it turned out I didn't like it. I had a similar budget but disregarded full suspension bikes almost immediately as my budget wouldn't get one that would be worth buying. I picked up a hardtail which I intended to use solely for off roading and it's done pretty well, I was going over pretty rough terrain as I went out with a club who were after a challenge.

I did find in the very rough stuff and fast downhill I was struggling on the hardtail (although that's largely a lack of skill) so I've now gone full suspension but with a far higher budget. It is quick over all terrain but on mild stuff I tend to just leave the suspension locked, given you've said you'll mainly be commuting with a little off road, a hard tail sounds like it will be plenty.

John

photome

As others have said why do you want rear suspension. At that price all your effort pedalling will be wasted bouncing up an down rather than going forward

Cycrow

dont buy a full suspension bike unless its for £1000+
cheap versions are terrible.

What type of riding do you actually do, and why do you need a full suspension bike ?

full suspension bikes are usually only used for downhill mountain biking because they suck at everything else

thatlemming

As everyone else has said, stay away from full sus. A hardtail at that price is going to be much much better.

Cliecost

Ok, so ignoring full suspension. Can anyone give me any recommendations as to a good mountain bike with hydraulic brakes for £500 under?