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Disc Brakes and the Tour de France con.

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  • July 9, 2019 at 3:42 pm #29867
    Daddylonglegs

    Anyone else irritated by the continual shots of wheels with disc brakes during this year’s Tour?

    Bearing in mind fewer than 50% of bikes in the peleton are actually using them, we have to wonder why so much attention is being paid to them and why consequently the Tour organisers are happy for their event to be used to promote a lie.

    Its important to know that virtually every shot we see during the Tour has a commercial imperitive, so it’s almost certain that there is a commercial decision behind showing so many shots of disc brakes despite the reality.

    For me one of the very few down sides of the rise in popularity of cycling is the parrallel growth of a voracious industry that in some ways has been as much cycling’s enemy as it has its friend. The determination by the cycle industry to force disc brakes on cyclists is an example of this.

    The industry and more specifically the industry’s marketing people are no longer (if  they ever were) in the least bit interested in how different technologies will benefit people and cycling. The priority is always to promote innovations and technologies that will first benefit their profits. Any benefit to cyclists is entirely coincidental. This admittedly cynical view appears to be reaching its apotheosis with the now wholesale drive to disc brakes. And it’s probably no coincidence that the bike industry itself, after many years of spectacular growth is starting to level out. The debate as to whether rim brakes or disc brakes are superior has become irrelevant to an industry that has become obsessed with the prospect of millions of road-bike-riding consumers buying a new frame and rescuing them for another few years at least.

    A similar thing happened a decade ago with bottom bracket standards, but that was disorganised and messy (cyclists are still paying the price for that one – literally). If the TDF shots are anything to go by, this new con is simpler and far better organised. Probably because it is benefitting all the relevant manufacturers roughly equally as they stare at falling sales.

    So here we are. Watching the 2019 Tour de France punctuated by endless shots of bicycle wheels adorned with disc brakes, despite less than 50% of Tour bikes actually using them. All to develop the idea in people’s heads that they really do need to get rid of that dated road bike they’ve been riding for at least six months and get something a bit more up to date.

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  • July 10, 2019 at 11:22 am #945689
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    MoutonDeMontagne
    mrml wrote:
    “A similar thing happened a decade ago with bottom bracket standards, but that was disorganised and messy (cyclists are still paying the price for that one – literally). “

     

    Did anyone actually buy a new bike just to get a new bottom bracket?

    No but I’m tempted to, PF30 is driving me bonkers! 

    July 10, 2019 at 11:08 am #945687
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    mrml

    “A similar thing happened a

    “A similar thing happened a decade ago with bottom bracket standards, but that was disorganised and messy (cyclists are still paying the price for that one – literally). “

     

    Did anyone actually buy a new bike just to get a new bottom bracket?

    July 10, 2019 at 10:26 am #945685
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    Mungecrundle

    This would definitely impress

    This would definitely impress the “guys in the club”. But only certain types of club.

     

    July 10, 2019 at 9:48 am #945683
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    hawkinspeter
    yupiteru wrote:
    Disc brakes are just a fashion accessory designed to persuade the foolhardy to open their wallets. 

    Nothing wrong with that, we all like new things but I have commuted for many years rain or shine and have never had any trouble stopping when I wanted to, with my XT cantilevers and there are some big hills here in Wales and a lot of rain!

    Disc brakes are totally unecessary on a road bike in my opinion, if you have a different opinion then fine, go ahead and buy them, it’s just that I don’t need them, so will spend my money on something else that is genuinely useful, not just to impress the guys in the club.

    Sounds to me like you’re not fitting the disc brakes correctly if you’re using them as a fashion accessory. I’ve had some success by fitting the rotor to the wheel hubs (centerlock) and attaching the calipers/hoses to the forks and through to the levers.

    I can totally see your point though, if you’ve got XT cantilevers already fitted, then adding disc brakes as well is complete unnecessary. Most people would go for one or the other.

    I’m intrigued about impressing guys in night-clubs with spangly disc rotors – would that work with women as well? Probably akin to the medallions that 70’s guys were fond of.

    July 10, 2019 at 9:39 am #945681
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    yupiteru

    Disc brakes are just a

    Disc brakes are just a fashion accessory designed to persuade the foolhardy to open their wallets. 

    Nothing wrong with that, we all like new things but I have commuted for many years rain or shine and have never had any trouble stopping when I wanted to, with my XT cantilevers and there are some big hills here in Wales and a lot of rain!

    Disc brakes are totally unecessary on a road bike in my opinion, if you have a different opinion then fine, go ahead and buy them, it’s just that I don’t need them, so will spend my money on something else that is genuinely useful, not just to impress the guys in the club.

    July 10, 2019 at 8:38 am #945679
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    brooksby
    Daddylonglegs wrote:
    I was watching it today. Just happened to notice the multiple cuts to the centres of various front wheels going round – always discs – and got a sense there was a point being made Just an observation, that’s all.

    Have to admit, I’d assumed it was meant to be artful “wheels in motion” type shots…

    I doubt that there’s an *active* intention to “encourage people to buy disc brake bikes”, BUT (BUT!) I think its fair to say that seeing them on so many professional-level bikes is going to encourage people to buy them, whatever the intention.

    July 10, 2019 at 8:31 am #945677
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    brooksby
    Rapha Nadal wrote:
    And I post this as somebody who uses calipers.

    “Calipers”?  Calipers!  Gawd, my latest bike has centre pull cantilevers and I’m happy with that yes

    July 10, 2019 at 8:12 am #945675
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    Miller

    I, for one, welcome our new

    I, for one, welcome our new disc brake overlords.

    July 10, 2019 at 7:33 am #945673
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    IanEdward

    No, I’m saving my irritation

    No, I’m saving my irritation for the first flat/wet stage, thankfully my TV has a mute button smiley

    July 9, 2019 at 8:31 pm #945671
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    RMurphy195

    For as far back as I can

    For as far back as I can remember, even on the highlights programs, the cameras have gone for shots of front wheels, back wheels, saddles, riders bums – so I don’t see anything different. Apart from the views you now get from the backward-pointing cams on the saddles of some of the bikes.

    Haven’t noticed any more than usual shots of hubs particularly, and only noticed the disc brakes once, having just seen the highlights of stage 3, noticed themon Alaphillipes bike as he was on his own with the usual shots being made.

    July 9, 2019 at 8:04 pm #945669
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    Welsh boy

    “…to promote a lie”

    “…to promote a lie”

    What a drama queen!

    What is this “lie” you speak of?  That there is a choice so people can make up their own mind?

    Assuming that Daddylonglegs works, I wonder if he does as his employer tells him to, a bit like some riders using discs and then I am sure that there are others who chose to ride them.

    July 9, 2019 at 7:56 pm #945667
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    Daddylonglegs

    Secret_squirrel wrote:

    Secret_squirrel wrote:
    Personally I think you are talking cobblers about the connection between the TDF coverage and the marketing. You just sound like a disc refusenic coming up with more reasons to hate them. Marketeers going to market – what else do you expect – having said that there have been much worse fads than Disc brakes – BB’s of course but arguably MTB wheels too. Gravel bikes are arguably just a rigid MTB with much scarier hand holds for a rough downhill, but if they get a few more people commuting on our shoddy road and cycle paths – fair play. So I think you need to ask yourself whether you feel better now you have vented your spleen or not. If not I think you need to get out on your bike a little more – regardless of which brakes you choose. On the subject of TV marketing – there was a Carbury’s Caramel advert written just for you….

     

    I was watching it today. Just happened to notice the multiple cuts to the centres of various front wheels going round – always discs – and got a sense there was a point being made Just an observation, that’s all.

    I have several bikes, some with discs some without.

    I ride (train) five days a week. Spent 10 years in the bike business.

    I went to a lot of trouble to be as clear as possible with my point. Obviously still not clear enough for everyone.

    July 9, 2019 at 7:46 pm #945665
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    Daddylonglegs
    Rapha Nadal wrote:
    What a fucking LOLfest.  Do you honestly think manufacturers search through these forums looking for posts such as the one made above and burst into tears because a few luddites refuse to embrace change & better braking?  Do they fuck.  The fact of the matter is that they’re here to stay and no amount of online posts will change it.

    And I post this as somebody who uses calipers.

    And also: shock horror that the world’s biggest bike race is used as a marketing platform!  Who knew?!

    Sooo much anger…

    I wasn’t talking to manufacturers, I was expressing a view on a forum.

    Unlike you, I use both types.   Both have their advantages. I’ve been a mechanic and raced as an amateur.

    Who said the TDF wasn’t a marketing platform?

    I Suggest you read the post Rapha. Or maybe just stick to tennis.

     

    July 9, 2019 at 7:10 pm #945663
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    Mungecrundle

    I think this post is a
    I think this post is a cynical marketing ploy by dark agents working for the tin foil industry.

    Mark my words, the next post from Daddylonglegs will include an origami diagram for how to make a hat.

    July 9, 2019 at 6:56 pm #945661
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    Secret_squirrel

    Personally I think you are
    Personally I think you are talking cobblers about the connection between the TDF coverage and the marketing. You just sound like a disc refusenic coming up with more reasons to hate them.

    Marketeers going to market – what else do you expect – having said that there have been much worse fads than Disc brakes – BB’s of course but arguably MTB wheels too. Gravel bikes are arguably just a rigid MTB with much scarier hand holds for a rough downhill, but if they get a few more people commuting on our shoddy road and cycle paths – fair play.

    So I think you need to ask yourself whether you feel better now you have vented your spleen or not. If not I think you need to get out on your bike a little more – regardless of which brakes you choose.
    On the subject of TV marketing – there was a Carbury’s Caramel advert written just for you….

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