can someone tel me the pros and cons of brakes. and what is better, v-brake?, disk? and/or hydralic?
tim
iworship jesus
A brake on a unicycle is useful for providing drag when going downhill. Of
course depending on how it’s used it could also cause a serious sudden
faceplant. There are two approaches (maybe others?) when adding a brake to
a unicycle:
-
A brake with a lever that is set to provide constant drag. This sort
of configuration would primarily be used for long downhill stretches
to lessen the work you legs must do. You can see one example of this
configuration on Andy Cotter’s custom Coker
(http://wsphotofews.excite.com/035/zt/OD/LZ/Eo72932.jpg). -
A brake with a lever that is operated continuously (or on demand)
while riding. This sort of brake configuration allows for rapid
response to varied terrain. You’ll notice that Kris Holm’s cycle
(http://wsphotofews.excite.com/033/7b/6S/bU/6f52785.jpg) is
configured this way.
Hydraulic brakes are generally better quality and provide smoother
modulation. They are also more expensive. Disk brakes eliminate the
variations in braking caused be rim defects but are also expensive. I
don’t think there is a single production unicycle that uses a disk brake.
You’ll notice that neither Andy nor Kris chose to use disk brakes. I
wonder why? Expense? Complexity? Availability?
For some more details on how to add a disc brake to a Muni check out Scott
Bridgman’s article title “Disc Brake Muni” at
http://www.muniac.com/emunitext.htm.
Keep in mind that I’ve never ridden a unicycle with brakes (well, once I
tried a coaster brake with no success) so, all of this is academic to me.
I’ve often wished for brakes on my Coker when rolling out of control down
a hill. 
-mg
“skunker” <forum.member@unicyclist.com> wrote in message
news:9ri4nc$5g4$1@laurel.tc.umn.edu…
> can someone tel me the pros and cons of brakes. and what is better,
> v-brake?, disk? and/or hydralic?
>
> tim iworship jesus
>
>
>
>
> –
> skunker Posted via the Unicyclist Community -
> http://unicyclist.com/forums
> 1. A brake with a lever that is set to provide constant drag. This sort
of
> configuration would primarily be used for long downhill stretches to
lessen
> the work you legs must do. You can see one example of this configuration
on
> Andy Cotter’s custom Coker
> (http://wsphotofews.excite.com/035/zt/OD/LZ/Eo72932.jpg).
>
> 2. A brake with a lever that is operated continuously (or on demand)
> while riding. This sort of brake configuration allows for rapid
> response to varied terrain. You’ll notice that Kris Holm’s cycle
> (http://wsphotofews.excite.com/033/7b/6S/bU/6f52785.jpg) is
> configured
this
> way.
>
> Hydraulic brakes are generally better quality and provide smoother
> modulation. They are also more expensive. Disk brakes eliminate the
> variations in braking caused be rim defects but are also expensive. I
don’t
> think there is a single production unicycle that uses a disk brake.
You’ll
> notice that neither Andy nor Kris chose to use disk brakes. I wonder
> why? Expense? Complexity? Availability?
>
> For some more details on how to add a disc brake to a Muni check out
> Scott Bridgman’s article title “Disc Brake Muni” at
> http://www.muniac.com/emunitext.htm.
Disk brakes are loads more hassle, to fit disks you have to have a disk
compatible hub and I think you have to have a custom frame? To fit normal
brakes you just need to drill a hole into the frame which is an easy
retro-fit, rather than having a custom frame.
I was working quite hard on coker downhill riding yesterday, without a
brake. Personally I’m not convinced by the whole brake thing for most
hills, because it seems to me that brakes tend to make the rider a lot
more cautious and steady, less likely to experiment with how far you can
push the whole speed thing. Also I might be wrong, but when I’m riding
downhill I mainly put just a little backpressure on the pedals and let the
wheel spin itself down the hill. Long downhills aren’t that much of a
problem and I can ride downhills that I’d never have thought about trying
on my Coker before I practiced it a lot. I’d only really like a brake for
anything above 1 in 5 or so on a Coker. With shorter cranks brakes might
be more useful though as you don’t have so much leverage.
On a normal muni, I can see how brakes would be helpful at times,
although again, I’d rather improve my technique until I’m sure any
downhill I can’t ride is entirely due to leg strength rather than skill
before I fit a brake.
Joe
— Michael Grant <michael_j_grant@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hydraulic brakes are generally better quality and provide smoother
> modulation. They are also more expensive. Disk brakes eliminate the
> variations in braking caused be rim defects but are also expensive. I
> don’t think there is a single production unicycle that uses a disk
> brake. You’ll notice that neither Andy nor Kris chose to use disk
> brakes. I wonder why? Expense? Complexity? Availability?
The main reason I haven’t used a disk brake is availablility- although
there will be a disk available soon, currently there is no production disk
hub specific for unicycles. I’m also unsure whether the disk won’t be
subject to damage, since its so close to the ground, right by the tire.
Disk brakes notwithstanding, hydraulic brakes are by far the best
solution, because they provide excellent modulation and you can’t
accidently activate the brakes by bumping them with your knees (which can
happen with V-brakes).
-Kris
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Kris Holm wrote:
>
> — Michael Grant <michael_j_grant@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > Hydraulic brakes are generally better quality and provide smoother
> > modulation. They are also more expensive. Disk brakes eliminate the
> > variations in braking caused be rim defects but are also expensive. I
> > don’t think there is a single production unicycle that uses a disk
> > brake. You’ll notice that neither Andy nor Kris chose to use disk
> > brakes. I wonder why? Expense? Complexity? Availability?
>
> The main reason I haven’t used a disk brake is availablility- although
> there will be a disk available soon, currently there is no production
> disk hub specific for unicycles. I’m also unsure whether the disk
> won’t be subject to damage, since its so close to the ground, right by
> the tire.
>
> Disk brakes notwithstanding, hydraulic brakes are by far the best
> solution, because they provide excellent modulation and you can’t
> accidently activate the brakes by bumping them with your knees (which
> can happen with V-brakes).
>
> -Kris
Hey Kris… 'nother Canuck here.
In refering to Joe Marshall’s post above in what circumstances do you use
a brake keeping in mind of course that riding a Coker on the street is a
different experience to what we normally equate with ‘Kris Holmes’.
Christopher Grove
–
“Be Bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.” -Basil King (Anyone who
can give me more info on THIS Basil King please email
me.)
My short story at: http://www.rosedog.com/manuscript.asp?m=9389256&manusc-
ript=6862016&t=The+Determination+of+Jeffery&fn=Christopher&ln=Grove&srdt=-
9%2F27%2F01+5%3A32%3A05+AM&fs=2&ff=Arial%2C+Helvetica%2C+Verdana&ps=4000&-
s=735143750&folder=Search+Results
Kris Holm wrote:
>
> — Michael Grant <michael_j_grant@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > Hydraulic brakes are generally better quality and provide smoother
> > modulation. They are also more expensive. Disk brakes eliminate the
> > variations in braking caused be rim defects but are also expensive. I
> > don’t think there is a single production unicycle that uses a disk
> > brake. You’ll notice that neither Andy nor Kris chose to use disk
> > brakes. I wonder why? Expense? Complexity? Availability?
>
> The main reason I haven’t used a disk brake is availablility- although
> there will be a disk available soon, currently there is no production
> disk hub specific for unicycles. I’m also unsure whether the disk
> won’t be subject to damage, since its so close to the ground, right by
> the tire.
>
> Disk brakes notwithstanding, hydraulic brakes are by far the best
> solution, because they provide excellent modulation and you can’t
> accidently activate the brakes by bumping them with your knees (which
> can happen with V-brakes).
>
> -Kris
Hey Kris… 'nother Canuck here.
In refering to Joe Marshall’s post above in what circumstances do you use
a brake keeping in mind of course that riding a Coker on the street is a
different experience to what we normally equate with ‘Kris Holmes’.
Christopher Grove
–
“Be Bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.” -Basil King (Anyone who
can give me more info on THIS Basil King please email
me.)
My short story at: http://www.rosedog.com/manuscript.asp?m=9389256&manusc-
ript=6862016&t=The+Determination+of+Jeffery&fn=Christopher&ln=Grove&srdt=-
9%2F27%2F01+5%3A32%3A05+AM&fs=2&ff=Arial%2C+Helvetica%2C+Verdana&ps=4000&-
s=735143750&folder=Search+Results
— Christopher Grove <c_r_grove@yahoo.com> wrote:
> In refering to Joe Marshall’s post above in what circumstances do you
> use a brake…
I use a brake in the following circumstances:
-
Constant braking on smooth downhills, to ease force on the legs. On
roads a fixed drag is nice because you don’t have to hold it but
anytime offroad it is usually bumpy enough to require some modulation
of braking pressure. If it is extremely steep and slippery, this
increases tire traction over just braking with your feet because it is
a constant pressure. With foot-braking alone, maxium braking happens
each time the cranks come up to horizontal, and this can kick the tire
out if it’s slippery. -
Short steep downhills, where it is difficult to slow down without the
assistance of a brake. -
Landing off steep drops onto transitions, where your feet land, and
then are pumping so fast that it is difficult to brake. -
Brake-assisted gliding, where you can glide down steeper paved roads
that would be possible with regular gliding.
Usually the brake supplies less than 50% of the braking force- much of the
braking is still with your feet.
-Kris.
Do You Yahoo!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
http://personals.yahoo.com
I’m not sure if you’re asking about a brake on a muni or a brake on a road
uni like a Coker. The pros and cons are different for each.
For a Coker a drag brake would be very handy if you have to ride down long
extended or short steep hills. I would consider a drag brake to be a very
good thing in those cases.
For muni a hydraulic brake is the brake of choice. As Kris said, there is
no danger of accidentally activating a hydraulic brake with your legs.
On a muni a brake is very difficult and tricky to use. If done incorrectly
you give yourself a very quick face plant. One very tricky part is that on
a muni you are always bouncing around. That bouncing makes it very
difficult to maintain precise control on the brake lever. If you hit a
bump while using the brake you may accidentally brake harder than you
wanted too causing you to face plant.
Another problem with the brakes on a muni is that they stick out a bit.
You will bang your legs on them. It can make things uncomfortable when
jumping, doing drops, or just riding rough terrain. When I have the brake
mounted on my muni I usually come back from the ride with bruises on the
inside of my leg because of the brake.
Brakes are also an item that need careful and regular maintenance to keep
them working. The brake hose can get snagged or damaged from falls. Expect
to have to fuss with it a lot.
I have a Vortex muni that came with a brake. 99% of the time I ride
without the brake. It was fun to play with at the beginning but the
disadvantages outweigh the advantages for me right now.
john_childs
>From: skunker <forum.member@unicyclist.com>
>
>can someone tel me the pros and cons of brakes. and what is better,
>v-brake?, disk? and/or hydralic?
>
>tim iworship jesus
>
>–
>skunker Posted via the Unicyclist Community -
>http://unicyclist.com/forums
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Kris,
Am I right in thinking you use the (steel?) reinforced brake cable on your
Magura? Is this highly recommended i.e. is the standard cable prone to
springing a leak given a bad knock?
Cheers, Neil
----- Original Message ----- From: <danger_uni@yahoo.com> To:
<c_r_grove@yahoo.com>; <unicycling@winternet.com> Sent: Monday, October
29, 2001 11:19 PM Subject: Re: where’s de brakes?
> — Christopher Grove <c_r_grove@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >> In refering to Joe Marshall’s post above in what circumstances do you
> >> use a brake…
>
> I use a brake in the following circumstances:
>
> 1) Constant braking on smooth downhills, to ease force on the legs. On
> roads a fixed drag is nice because you don’t have to hold it but
> anytime offroad it is usually bumpy enough to require some modulation
> of braking pressure. If it is extremely steep and slippery, this
> increases tire traction over just braking with your feet because it
> is a constant pressure. With foot-braking alone, maxium braking
> happens each time the cranks come up to horizontal, and this can kick
> the tire out if it’s slippery.
>
> 2) Short steep downhills, where it is difficult to slow down without the
> assistance of a brake.
>
> 3) Landing off steep drops onto transitions, where your feet land, and
> then are pumping so fast that it is difficult to brake.
>
> 4) Brake-assisted gliding, where you can glide down steeper paved roads
> that would be possible with regular gliding.
>
> Usually the brake supplies less than 50% of the braking force- much of
> the braking is still with your feet.
>
> -Kris.
>
> __________________________________________________
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> http://personals.yahoo.com