Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Cost of hydraulic versus cable brakes
#1
I recently had a hydraulic brake caliper fail after 3000 km.

https://forums.bikeride.com/thread-8564.html

If I had to replace a hydraulic brake caliper every 3000 km, the cost would be prohibitive. But let's assume I got hydraulic brakes that lasted longer. How much would it cost?

Let's say, I had to replace hydraulic brakes 4 times in 10 years. Both levers and calipers need to be replaced. Then there is the cost of brake fluid.

Let's say, I replaced the cables on cable brakes 4 times in 10 years. I have not had a cable caliper break. If one did, they are not very expensive.

The brake pads should wear at a similar rate, with both hydraulic and cable brakes. But brake pads cost me very little.

https://forums.bikeride.com/thread-8174.html

I feel it is not necessary to spend the amount of money hydraulic brakes will cost in the long term.

Then there is the ease of maintaining cable brakes, and the lack of spilling brake fluid.

When the brake cables don't have too many bends in them, cable brakes work near enough the same as hydraulic brakes.

If I get a new bike with hydraulic brakes, I will use them until the fail, then replace them with cable brakes.

Many others will choose to use hydraulic brakes, and spend the money. I don't plan to.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
3,653
06-22-2023, 08:50 PM
Last Post: Lss555
 
18,189
11-01-2010, 07:27 PM
Last Post: RobAR

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Thoughts on tariff effects on the cyclin...
Today 11:06 AM
braking by reversing the pedals
Today 10:15 AM
Post-Ride Nutrition
Yesterday 02:06 AM
🚴‍♂️ Saddle Up for the Belgian Waffle Ri...
Yesterday 02:03 AM
Pre Ride Food Intake
Yesterday 12:14 AM
SAVA Explorer 6061?
04-02-2025 03:31 PM
Zwift v Spin v Wahoo
04-01-2025 05:59 PM
Have you Ever Tried an Electric Bike?
04-01-2025 05:07 PM
Good Morning from SW Ohio
04-01-2025 07:32 AM
(So California) PV Dr to be closed to bi...
03-31-2025 09:14 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
22 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
18 posts
no avatar 3. Jake1
12 posts
no avatar 4. meamoantonio
12 posts
no avatar 5. SPINMAN
8 posts