There are many adventages of having mechanical discs (cheaper and less maintanence) but is it worth paying more for brakes that need more maintenance.

Mechanical discs need MORE work than hydro ones. The main difference between the two is the connection between the lever and the caliper. Cables need replacing through normal use, hoses don't.

So in answer to your question, no it's not worth paying more for brakes that need more maintenance. Pay more for ones that need less and work infinitly better.

The best brakes compliment your riding style and weight, the main factor is not how the lever connects to the caliper.

That wasn't his question.

"is it worth paying more for brakes that need more maintenance." The answer is quite obviously NO.

i think when it comes to mechanical disk brakes and hydraulic disk brakes, the only factor to seperate them is the way they are connected.

Sure Mike, and taken literally I agree with you wholeheartedly.

Although (lol), it might be worth paying more for brakes that work better but need a bit more fettling.

IME most of the brakes on the market work fine when used for the intended purpose (mono Mini's are not a DH brake) and if they're fitted by a competant mechanic.

Good stuff.

Mechanical discs do need adjusting from time to time & after the pad is worn you need to adjust them to get the correct gaps.

Mine work very well & the ajustments do only take a min or so to do. Yes they cost less & are fine for most but they would not stand up to realy heavy use but I'm very happy with them.

I was a little disapointed after fitting mechanicals to my bike, they are only slightly more powerful than good V's. I was hoping to have one finger braking but I still need two fingers to stop quickly, however, they need very little adjustment (which is simple anyway) and I've had them a year on the original cables.

I got a nice set of Hydraulics And I think they're way better then mechanicals but then again maybe the extra cost wasn't worth it .... go with what you want :)

Just changed magura julie to hope 5 and the differance is unmeasurable (mind I am 18 + stone, tried mech discs and they were as effective as rice pud for anything slightly down

Hydros need far less finger pressure to work than mechs. My better half was having problems stopping on her mech equiped GT, so as a pressy I swaped them over to a set of hydros, mucho brownie points!

i prefer the feel of the hyd ones braking feels more progressive and controllable not to mention safer as i know theres plenty more power on tap should i ever 'gulp' need ti :)

Yeah was just out there again testing out my new lights and I was glad of my hydrau's car flew outta drive way to fast almost hit it but brakes are extremely effective.... well I think my hayes 9's are they seem pretty good to my old mech's

just a thought but can anyone tell me why you need "one finger braking" i've raced motorbikes motocross and road (gsxr 600) last one and never felt one finger braking to be important. we have four fingers surely we can spare a couple for the brake?

I think people use it as a gauge as to how powerful the brakes are. It's a bit wierd really as we all have different strengths in our fingers. The more fingers that you have wrapped around the bars the better though.

I too had motorbikes in the past and I used two fingers when braking but a friend of mine used four.

However, since taking up mountain biking I prefer to use one finger to brake because I feel more in control, especially when riding bumpy and uneven ground at speed.

Perhaps it's because I have cheap suspension and the bike jumps about quite a bit and I need to hold on more tightly. Has anyone else found this?

yeah exactly the same for me...i tend to use two fingers for both motorists and for braking ;) as i feel more in control of the bike over rough terrain as more of my hand is planted on the bars...