Which is better, disc or drum brakes in bikes?
When buying a new set of brakes for your bikes, the two central braking systems to consider are disc brakes and drum brakes.
What is a disc brake?
Brake pads and discs make up the disc brake system. The brake pads are attached to the disc through a calliper. There are two brake pads on either side of the disc in the bike or the scooter’s disc braking system. “Brake oil” is the viscous fluid that connects the entire system. From the brake reservoir, which is linked to the brake lever, comes the brake oil.
What is a drum brake?
The drum-brake system includes the following components: drum shoes and springs; drum cable; and brake arm, panel, and brake drum. There is friction between the revolving cylindrical element, the brake, and the outward-pressing brake shoes, which causes the brakes to operate correctly.
Drum Brake vs. Disc Brake: Pros and Cons
- When compared to drum brakes, disc brakes have higher stopping power. It is possible to enhance the bite of disc brakes by adding more brake pots or larger pots, which is not feasible with drum brakes.
- Due to friction, drum brakes become less effective when the car heats up. Disc brakes do not have this problem, and their braking power is is less affected by heat. There is also a difference in temperature between disc brakes and drum brakes, as the latter is mounted on the outside of a wheel.
- Drum brakes are less effective when the wheel is entirely wet since the friction between the brake shoe and the lining is lessened when the wheel becomes completely wet. Disc brakes, on the other hand, have no such influence on stopping power.
- Drum brakes require more upkeep than disc brakes do. The entire wheel must be removed for cleaning when dust accumulates. Drum brakes also include a lot of tiny components that require regular maintenance. You may clean the pads and disc of a disc brake with a bit of sandpaper.
- It may replace brake pads and discs at a reasonable price. A problem with drum brakes, on the other hand, might cause severe damage to the wheel. In the long term, changing the wheel is costly.
- There is a risk of stress fractures on the rotor as a result of excessive heating. The rotor warps as a result of overheating. They might damage other elements of your disc brake system as well as your brakes’ effectiveness if your rotor becomes deformed.
Disc Brake or Drum Brake: which one should you pick?
Motorcycles are becoming more powerful and quicker as new technology is introduced. In the past, individuals would buy a bike merely to get from A to B. The performance of a motorbike is now a critical factor in the purchase decision. Upgraded brakes were also required due to increased power and speed. Disc brakes were developed as a result. Disc brakes have very few drawbacks. There is no doubt that disc brakes are superior to drum brakes and can provide outstanding braking performance. There is a price for disc brakes, but they are well worth it. There are many motorcycles featuring disc brakes and ABS, which will keep you safe in the event of an emergency stop. When deciding which brake to buy for your bike from a car accessories store you should go for a disc brake.
Disadvantages of Disc Brake
However, disc brakes have their own set of drawbacks as well. Fewer than expected
1: Without ABS, disc brakes are prone to locking up. It would be best to exercise extreme caution while braking in a hurry with disc brakes since they can easily lock the wheel and cause a collision.
2. Cost: Disc brakes are more costly than drum brakes.
Because of the exposed fluid piping, damage to the tube will cause the disc brake to fail. An accident can occur if the brakes fail.
Maintaining the viscosity of your brake fluid is essential when your bike is not in use for a lengthy period. As a result, you should always check the brake fluid viscosity and maintain the brake fluid level.
Conclusion It is a tremendous challenge to ride a motorcycle in India. It is impossible to predict what will happen on the road, so you need that stopping power to keep yourself safe. As a result, brakes are an essential part of every vehicle, but they are considerably more critical on motorcycles. Buyers of modern bikes are faced with a dilemma when it comes to picking the proper set of brakes. There is often great confusion about what to choose between drum brakes vs disc brakes.