Mechanical Disc brakes are [censored]!!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by nicex
After going back to MTB's after a good few years, I decided to go for the Mech Disk brakes on a Kona. What a mistake! We went out in the mud and rain for a couple of hours and The brake cables overstretched and I couldn't stop.
Grit somewhere kept making the disc's grate and grind every time I used them and my mates with the V-brakes gave me stick for wasting my money on a useless non-braking lump of lard! They could stop every time but I couldn't. I'm really peed off! "Now what do I do?" Do I up-grade to Hydraulics or go back to v-brakes. Any suggestions?

What type (brand/model) brakes are you using? A properly adjusted mechanical disc brake from a reputable manufacturer (ie: avid, hayes) (although not quite as nice as a hydraulic system) should outperform a v-brake, especially in the mud and muck. I can only see going back to a v-brake for the weight weenies. Upgrading to the hydraulics is expensive, but provides exceptional braking power and reliability.

don't think the grating and grinding with muck would change by going hydraulic. that only changes what moves the pads, not how they contact the rotor.

the cable overstretching thing sounds like an install/adjustment issue. clean them up, readjust and give them another chance.

i'm curious what brand/model these are too. the avid mechanicals are said to rival many hydraulic systems.

your problem was not on the disc brake but rather the pad, mud eats up normal pads use sintered pads, I do X/C riding a lot and I can tell you disc brake out perform any other brakes especially in muddy or wet condition.

Mechanical and hydraulic system stops the same its only the mechanism are different, hyro are more expensive and requires more maintainance.

Which brand/model you using?

Thanks for the info chap's.

I'm riding a Kona Cindercone with Shimano calipers and it has Avid brake levers. Maybe I need to go back to the shop and get them to pull up the slack before I do something destructive! In the long run Someone has suggested upgrading to climb 8 or Magura Hydro-disc brakes. Should I give these mechanical fella's another chance or go Hydro?

Also, should I flush them out with my water bottle when the mud and grit sticks and the grinding starts?

I assume you're using the XT disc brakes 02 models, when the brakes are not biting after hitting the mud just tighten the small knobs on the caliper.

You dont have to flush them just change to sintered pads (heavy duty) for use on muddy trail. There're no difference between hydro and mech disc brakes in terms of performance in dry or wet condition, its the pad thats no witstanding to the condition, if you continue to use the same pad you'll end up hating your disc brakes and blaming it instead of yourself.

CHANGE THE PAD!!!!!

Maybe you can take it in to a shop and have the disk tabs faced, this will help and the alignment of the caliper and can decrease squelling calipers. Paint on the disk tab can cause bad alignment of the calipers.

my brother bought a second hand bike which had an avid mechanical disc on the front - it works better than my hope minis!
i think i'd better go get them serviced...