Bicycle Brakes — Rim, Disc, and Everything In Between

Reliable brakes are non-negotiable. Whether you're descending a steep hill, navigating wet city streets, or stopping at traffic lights, your braking system needs to be well-matched to your bike and riding conditions.

Rim Brakes

Rim brakes work by pressing brake pads against the sides of the wheel rim. They are lightweight, easy to maintain, and widely compatible.

• Caliper brakes — the standard for road bikes. Single-pivot calipers are common on budget bikes; dual-pivot calipers offer better modulation and power.
• V-brakes (linear pull) — powerful and simple, common on hybrid and older mountain bikes.
• Cantilever brakes — used on cyclocross and touring bikes with wider tyre clearance.

Rim brakes require smooth, clean rims and wear out brake tracks over time. They perform less well in wet or muddy conditions compared to disc brakes.

Disc Brakes

Disc brakes work by clamping a rotor attached to the wheel hub. They offer consistent performance in all weather conditions and are now standard on mountain bikes and increasingly common on road and gravel bikes.

• Mechanical disc brakes — cable-actuated, easy to maintain, compatible with standard brake levers.
• Hydraulic disc brakes — fluid-actuated, self-adjusting, superior modulation and power. Require bleeding when servicing.

Rotor size affects braking power — larger rotors (180mm, 203mm) dissipate heat better and provide more stopping force. Smaller rotors (140mm, 160mm) are lighter and suit less demanding riding.

Brake Pads

Always match brake pads to your brake system and rim/rotor material. Organic (resin) pads are quieter and gentler on rotors; metallic (sintered) pads last longer and perform better in wet conditions but can be noisier.

Brake Levers

Brake levers must be compatible with your brake type — hydraulic levers for hydraulic brakes, cable levers for mechanical systems. Reach adjustment is important for smaller hands.

Browse our bicycle brakes for pads, calipers, levers, and rotors.