Rim Brakes vs. Disc Brakes: The Great Debate

Why Rim Brakes Deserve More Love

Rim brakes are the old faithful of the cycling world. It has been around forever, works well, and extremely simple to operate and maintain.

Budget-Friendly:

Whether you're building a bike or upgrading parts, rim brakes are easy on the wallet. (And let's be honest, who doesn't like saving a little cash for post-ride coffee?)

Rim brakes are easy on the budget when building a bike, and easy on the wallet when maintaining your bike.

• Easy Maintenance:

  You don't need fancy tools or years of experience to replace worn rim brake pads. All you need is to watch a 30-second YouTube video and commonly found bicycle tools to get the job done.

• Lighter Weight:
• Rim brakes tend to be lighter than disc. Which is ironic because, in the world of cycling, lighter weight components are more expensive. But with brakes, you simultaneously save weight and your wallet! 

For riders who prioritize simplicity and affordability, rim brakes are a no-brainer. They get the job done without overcomplicating your ride.

But What About Disc Brakes?

Okay, we're not here to ignore the elephant in the room. Disc brakes have some clear advantages, especially for riders who value comfort.

We should take a serious look at disc brakes since that's where the cycling industry deems to be the superior product.

• Wider Tires = Smoother Rides:
  Disc brakes allow for wider tires which dramatically improves comfort on your rides. Wider tires soak up road vibration more, require less tire pressure when changing flats, and may give you more confidence when cornering.
  
• Consistent Stopping Power:

  If you primarily ride in wet or hilly conditions, disc brakes may be a safer option for you. Rim brakes typically lose stopping power in rain, but disc brakes remain consistent throughout weather changes.

Improvements to Rim Brake Technology

As an informed consumer in the cycling market, you need to know about recent improvements to rim braking. 

Wheel companies, like HED, have started to incorporate textured braking surfaces to bicycle rims. The textured surface greatly improves braking performance in wet conditions.

In fact, HED claims on their Ardennes RA Black wheels with Turbine Braking that braking performance is improved by a whopping 70% in wet conditions!

So, Which Should You Choose?

Final Thoughts

Personally, the author of this blog is currently using rim brakes with a textured braking surface.

But my goal is to educate you, the consumer, on the preferred brake system. If you're going for a new bike, chances are your only option are disc brakes.

And that's totally fine! In 2025, many of the early bugs of disc brakes have been solved so you probably won't experience many of the struggles early adopters had (like brake rubbing).

Pair your new ride with cycling bibs and you'll hit your health goals in no time! Check out Civilized Bibs for premium cycling shorts.