Pro-cycling thread

Elite cages. No idea about the bottles.

I had an ejection on the first sector using Tacx Tao cage but it was a bigger 750 bottle. Elite and Velocity alu cages no problems.

Really? I took pros ages to switch to fatter tyres, most commuters got the jump on them. Lots of them still seem to think harder=better re: tyre pressure. Clipless - my post earlier mentioned King Kelly took 10 years to change to clipless - 10 years! Gear choice is down to manufacturers and mechanics, not the riders - of course they're all using the top end groupsets with 11spd - because you can't get DA9000 in 8/9/10. Aerodynamics - up until a few years ago most riders on the TT forum had a better knowledge of aero than most pros.

The difference with discs is there's perhaps not a clear advantage and some disadvantages for the pros. This runs against the advantages discs provide non-racers and that means bike companies and riders are likely to be in conflict about this for a while.

Out of interest, why were pros apprehensive about switching to clipless pedals?

They feared they would unclip when sprinting.

But @hippy is right, professional cyclists are a bunch of conservative luddites who only change stuff because their sponsors make them.

Road racing in a bunch - I'm still not sure. What if the rotors were shielded and ALL riders were using discs? Would it be the big issue with the riders still?

Be interested to see how they get around this. Possible to have a shielded rotor without making wheel changes more difficult ?

Do you think the Peloton should adopt disc brakes in their current form ? If so do you think the safety concerns (rotors, mixed brakes in the Peloton) aren't valid ?

Ultimately pros will have to adopt them

Why? Is a fait accompli actually OK?

'Here, have this extra complexity that won't help you!*'

* apart from the often mentioned wet mountain descent on carbon rims

Different braking speeds in a peloton is always going to be more dangerous than everyone on a level playing field.

I think for cross and road racing discs make little sense to pros but are compelling for consumers. Cross moreso, hence they be sellin'.

The CX World Champs was won in both mens and womens cats on bikes that were four years old or something with cantis. IIRC.

Wait for the 'canti generation' to retire, then we'll talk.

But the team that ride on disc was nowhere wear it happened did it?

Bottomline is most dont need disc brakes on road bikes; plebs and pros.

If you have to says this, then clearly you haven't ridden.

Yep and wont have to hopefully.

I wonder if hydraulic rim brakes will gain much traction in the peloton with Rotor introducing them ?

SRAM have had them out fo' ages tho

Rotor are using the Magura MT brake. Did a small lol when I read this, because a) they've had one recall already, and b) I have them and they are a disaster

What form do you suggest they take? There's absolutely nothing wrong with them in their current form and the safety concerns are easily addressed by making disc covers mandatory.

I think they're about 30 years too late. cough Magura cough

Because the manufacturers will insist, due to consumer demand. More and more people are moving to discs because the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. Pro cycling is little more than an advertising vehicle for products so, ultimately, the manufacturers who sponsor teams will hold sway.

Wait until a rider wins a stage of a race due to being able to descend faster in the wet because he has disc brakes, then you'll see more pros making the choice.

Wait, so you've never ridden a disc-braked road bike yet you're absolutely anti-discs and telling me how I must have been using rim brakes wrong all these years?

Incredible! Can't wait 'til you try discs and realise what you've been missing.

I have just not full hydro. I don't need discs until they get cheaper, lighter, better designed and more readily available everywhere. I am talking about the whole set up including frame design.

The ball is very much in manufactures court IMO.

I am also not saying that no one needs discs. There are uses specific to discs e.g hippy or skinny's endurance races. Maybe commuting.

And less likely to ruin your holiday

Actually fucking twice now I've hired a bike with discs on a holiday only to find the bloody pads are shot half way down a mountain descent

Unfair given how quickly everyone adopted and loved Di2.

Because the manufacturers will insist, due to consumer demand. More and more people are moving to discs because the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. Pro cycling is little more than an advertising vehicle for products so, ultimately, the manufacturers who sponsor teams will hold sway.

I agree that this is probably what the manufacturers want. I kind of agree that the pros lack the influence, now, on the issue to change its course but my hope is that by the time the crunch comes they will have the influence.

Of all the tech that has been introduced and stuck the win-win has been pretty obvious. With DBs I think benefits over a trad setup are tenuous at best. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Wait until a rider wins a stage of a race due to being able to descend faster in the wet because he has disc brakes, then you'll see more pros making the choice

So many stars would need to align to make this an indisputable reality that I find it hard to imagine it happening, but yeah, that would be an interesting occurrence.

That's the least #buyer thing you've ever written. What do you think are the issues with design and availability at the moment? I do appreciate that moving to discs means getting a new frame, and I do appreciate that there are several standards out there at the moment with regards to attaching wheels and calipers to frames, but to suggest they don't work better than calipers (or are about the same) is nonsense. The difference is huge. I reckon once you eventually try a bike with them, you'll see the light :)

Out of interest, are there any statements out there from pros who are using them? Do Roompot, Merida etc riders like them? I guess their sponsors will be asking them to be positive, but it'd be interesting to know.

Absolutely. I am not against them.
I am saying they are not 'there' yet especially to be adapted by pros.