Purely theoretically, a brake is a mechanical device used to reduce the speed or stop moving, most often rotating, mechanical elements—in the case of bicycles, the wheels. Brakes operate by absorbing the kinetic energy of the device and dissipating it. Together with the control system, the brake constitutes the braking system. Can you live without a brake? Come visit us for a fixed gear bike :) In city traffic, an experienced fixed-gear rider can manage on their own with their feet. Most cyclists, however, prefer more civilized methods of slowing down. All brakes currently used on bicycles are friction brakes. However, within these, various design solutions can be distinguished, varying in complexity and providing varying levels of performance in terms of effectiveness and reliability. Bicycle brakes include:

Bicycle brakes - families

• Pedal systems (e.g., coaster brakes, also known as "pedal brakes") are a relatively old braking system that combines braking elements with the drivetrain. In a pedal system, the brake is located in the rear hub and is activated by turning the pedals in the opposite direction to the driving wheel (or, more simply, "backward"). This type of brake is used on many gearless bikes—primarily city and children's bikes, folding bikes, and some multi-speed hubs. This system is weather-resistant, but the braking power may be insufficient at higher speeds, and if the chain breaks, the brake becomes ineffective. Furthermore, modulation leaves much to be desired, and traction can easily be lost.

A gear hub with a coaster brake. On the right, you can see the brake arm mounted to the frame.

• Mechanical manual systems are the most common braking system installed on bicycles. They are activated by levers that set in motion steel cables , which in turn activate wheel locking devices. In these systems, braking is achieved by clamping brake pads onto the side of the wheel rim or disc. Over time, these pads wear out and require replacement, which is not very expensive. When the pads become dirty or even wet, braking conditions change drastically – in extreme situations, such as mud or snow, the brakes may even fail completely.

Mechanical bicycle caliper brakes -

In such designs, the wheel locking elements may be:

• Shoe brakes, from which the name rim brakes derive, are a mechanism consisting of, among other things, a friction lining that clamps onto the wheel rim. Due to their long history and widespread use, there are many solutions available on the market, such as:

1. V-brakes – this type of brake is one of the most common solutions on mountain and trekking bikes. V-brakes are mounted to pivots located on the frame and fork. They consist of two arms to which brake pads are bolted. When the lever is depressed, the pads press against the rim, forming an inverted V, from which their name is derived. Intuitive to service independently , they are reliable.
   Simple, effective and reliable.
2. Dual Pivot – originally installed on road bikes. They are mounted higher on the pivot at a single point, preventing any spacing between the fork and the fork. Their advantage is greater freedom in modulating braking force. This is the model we most frequently use on our own bikes.
   Classic road brakes that we install on our singles and ladies.
3. U-brakes – currently most commonly used on BMX bikes. They were once more common, but have been replaced by newer types of brakes with better stopping power.
   The effectiveness of the U-brakes isn't impressive, to put it mildly. Photo by ajax15
4. Cantilever – in cantilever brakes, the arms are also bolted to pivots located on the fork and frame. A short cable connects the two arms, and the actual tension cable is attached to it via a special anvil. Due to its weak braking power, this solution is rarely used today (but is sometimes necessary to accommodate a wider tire and fender). Cantilever brakes have been replaced by V-brakes. However, an improved version is still used in cyclocross.

Canti are very resistant to mud and snow.

Check also - How to replace V-brakes yourself

Mechanical bicycle brakes (cable systems) - other

Other wheel locking elements include:

• Disc brakes are mounted on the hub, and grip the brake pads (mechanical disc brakes) . These brakes do not have the disadvantages of rim brakes – they ensure reliable operation regardless of weather conditions or the condition of the wheel rim. They are characterized by high braking power and precision. Unfortunately, their design is more complex and heavier. The primary problem with disc brakes is the need to quickly dissipate the generated heat, hence the complex construction and appropriate materials. This translates into a higher price for this type of brake and their unpopularity among city bikes. They are instead used on mountain bikes, especially those designed for downhill riding. Road bikes currently use disc brakes made of lightweight metals to prevent the brake from overloading the bike. However, it's worth noting the decreasing popularity of mechanical brakes, which are increasingly being replaced by hydraulic ones. This is due to the poor modulation of braking force with this solution. Disc brakes are becoming increasingly common on road bikes, and are practically standard on gravel bikes.
  The quality of the discs is just as important as the calipers.
• Roller brakes – they operate on the principle of a drum – the rollers within the drum press against its surface during braking. Roller brakes are also equipped with heat sinks, somewhat reminiscent of brake discs – their purpose is to dissipate heat from the brake's interior. Their sealed design makes them resistant to water and dirt. However, they are susceptible to overheating, especially on long descents (hence, they are not used on mountain bikes). Brakes are also complex to build and repair. They are most commonly found on city bikes. Their effectiveness is not impressive.
  Definitely better than the drum ones, but still nothing special. Photo by: Paul_the_Seeker
• Brake drums – an integral part of the hubs and operating by pressing friction linings against the drum's interior. Design-wise, they resemble drum brakes found in motorcycles and cars. Their drawbacks on bicycles include their greater weight and complex construction, making maintenance difficult. Although they provide significantly less braking power than disc and some caliper models, they are resistant to environmental factors and rarely fail. Their popularity is currently declining, although they are still found on city bikes.
  Drum brakes are terrible. We don't recommend them. Photo by hAdamsky

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Bicycle brakes (hydraulic systems) - types

Hydraulic bicycle brakes also consist of levers, shoes, or discs, but in their case, control is transmitted via hydraulic hoses rather than cables. Braking action is achieved by changes in brake fluid pressure, which occurs when the lever is operated. High-quality hydraulic brakes outperform mechanical brakes in terms of performance, but they are more expensive and difficult to repair. Despite this, they are becoming increasingly popular, especially in mountain bike models. Due to the complexity of the technology and, consequently, the price, the choice is inevitably limited. We have systems:

• Hydraulic caliper brakes – they operate on a similar principle to V-brakes, except instead of a steel cable, they have a hose carrying brake fluid. They are much stronger than V-brakes and offer significant stopping power, but they are also heavy and quite expensive. They are used, for example, on tandems, but also on trekking bikes. They are practically extinct. Bleeding and servicing are a nightmare.
  Very strong, but difficult to service. Photo credit: www.velo-radsport.de
• Hydraulic disc brakes – when you press the brake lever, the brake fluid pressure increases, exerting pressure on the pistons. This forces the brake pads towards the disc. The brake fluid can be either standard mineral oil or DOT oil. The stopping power of these brakes is greater than mechanical ones. Furthermore, they adapt more smoothly to current conditions. The disadvantage of this mechanism is its complexity, which makes servicing difficult and prevents DIY repairs. Properly selected and regularly serviced, they are unmatched. There's also a compromise solution – cable-operated hydraulic calipers , popular especially on gravel bikes. These work quite well and allow for savings on levers and shifters.
  The best solution

Watch Now - Hydraulic Bicycle Brakes - Which Are the Best?

Bicycle Brakes - Summary

When purchasing a new bike, it's worth considering the type of brakes used. V-brakes are one of the most common brake systems on mountain and trekking bikes. Mountain bikes priced over two thousand złoty typically have disc brakes. Road bikes use dual-pivot brakes. Unfortunately, when purchasing a bike, we often don't have the option of choosing the brakes and have to settle for the factory-installed type. However, the manufacturer's choice is often the result of years of experience, ensuring proper matching to the bike type.

Compatibility

If you want to upgrade your bike's brakes, you need to consider compatibility – for example, if you want to upgrade from V-brakes to disc brakes, you'll need disc-mount hubs and a place to mount calipers on the frame and fork. If reliability in all weather conditions is important, you should choose disc brakes. Hydraulic brakes offer greater stopping power and modulation, but if they fail, you can't repair them on the road. However, if you want to forget about brake servicing, cleaning, or pad replacement for a long time and want water and mud resistance (e.g., for city riding), roller brakes are the ideal solution, suitable for leisurely city riding. When choosing any type of brake, remember that they should be of good quality. Your safety depends on this element, so don't skimp on cheap solutions – in this case, reliability is key! Remember that brake servicing is not expensive (apart from possible repairs to hydraulic systems).

More on the topic - Bicycle brakes - an important part of the bike!