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Nairo Quintana says peloton “shouldn’t be using disc brakes” Nairo Quintana in Vuelta leader's jersey after Stage 9 2014 (pic Unipublic, Graham Watson)

Nairo Quintana says peloton “shouldn’t be using disc brakes”

Colombian says discs are heavier, less aerodynamic and unsafe for use in races
by Alex Bowden
Mon, Feb 27, 2017 13:09
39

The UCI reintroduced its trial of disc brakes this year and strong feelings remain. Nairo Quintana is the latest to have his say, telling Cycling News that he believes they are heavier, less aerodynamic and dangerous.

The disc brake trial was previously suspended following 2016's Paris-Roubaix, where Movistar rider Fran Ventoso blamed one for a deep cut to his leg sustained during a crash.

"Our bike brand has disc bikes available but in my opinion we shouldn't be using disc brakes,” said Quintana. "Firstly, because they don't actually brake all that well. You hear other riders' bikes in the peloton when the brake rubs up against the rotor. That's one thing. Secondly, it makes the bike less aerodynamic. Thirdly, they're much heavier.

“Lastly, there's the danger they pose in a peloton of more than 100 riders. They are good for a touring cyclist, or a person who goes out riding with two or three others and is more careful, but racing is another matter."

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As a Movistar rider, Quintana rides Canyon bikes. According to our tech editor, David Arthur, the firm concedes that disc brake versions of its bikes are fractionally less aerodynamic.

“Canyon, when it unveiled its complete range of disc-equipped bikes recently, made the statement that the disc brakes give away just 1.5 per cent compared to the rim brake versions, when tested at the power required to maintain 45kph.

“As for weight, Canyon says its disc frames are about 70g heavier, but by the time you add disc calipers and rotors we’re seeing complete bikes come in about 400g heavier than similarly specced disc brake versions. 

“For a professional cyclist obsessed by marginal gains, those differences are hard to ignore. Canyon does point out that the advantages of improved braking control and modulation are significant benefits of disc brakes, and that’s backed up by our own testing. But clearly the demands and requirements of a professional racing cyclist are different to non-racing cyclists.”

As a climber, weight will doubtless be a higher priority for Quintana than many other riders. However, it’s worth pointing out that team mechanics are frequently obliged to add weight to bikes to bring them up to the UCI’s 6.8kg minimum weight requirement.

We reviewed a 6.5kg version of the Ultimate CF SLX that the Colombian will be riding this year, so 400g on top of that could theoretically see Quintana cede 100g to his rivals. The professional cyclists’ association, the CPA, is also pushing for further protective features such as covers to be introduced – which would bring a little more weight. However, we’re inclined to say that 100g or so could easily be offset elsewhere.

Last week, Team Sky’s Owain Doull claimed that the rotor on Marcel Kittel’s bike had cut through his shoe "like a knife". Overhead footage of the crash suggested there was no contact between Doull and Kittel’s bike, but the German chose not to ride with disc brakes the following day, “out of respect for colleagues.”

Disc brakes are now required to have rounded edges to reduce the risk of injury, but the CPA has said that most of its members remain opposed to the technology in its current form – hence the suggestion that covers be introduced.

As much as anything, it seems that Quintana is simply happy with what he’s already got. "There is no problem with the brakes that we currently have – they work very well. No one has ever had any sort of complaint. They're lighter, and you have a much better feel."

Nairo Quintana
disc brakes
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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39 comments

Avatar
rct replied to Broady. | 7 years ago
1 like

Broady. wrote:

"Firstly, because they don't actually brake all that well.

Lolz to that, hydros are amazing, constant uniform feel and power.

 

Secondly, it makes the bike less aerodynamic.

Didn't Cannondale prove that it was negligible? Obviously not exact science but interesting results regardless http://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/Disc_and_Rim_Brake_Aero_Drag_6073.html

 

Thirdly, they're much heavier.

Considering half the teams are filling chainset axles with lead to get by the UCI regs, I'd say it's a non-issue. Surely a climber would appreciate the potential of lighter disc specific rims, rotating mass etc.

Anyway, I think the pros should be able to choose whatever they want to use, the only people it will effect will be the people responsible for the spare parts inventories.

 

I beleive he's referring to brake squeal, maybe lost a little in translation.  Even worse in the wet with discs, although it doesn't affect the performance much.

 

Aerodynamics, did you read the quote from Canyon?

Again read the article, it would push his current set up over the weight limit, albeit not by much.

Avatar
therevokid | 7 years ago
1 like

I'm with joules on this ......

Avatar
joules1975 | 7 years ago
21 likes

I've just about had enough of this now.

Let the pros ride whatever they want (or anyone else for that matter) - I'm sticking with my discs.

Avatar
DaveE128 replied to joules1975 | 7 years ago
0 likes

joules1975 wrote:

I've just about had enough of this now.

Let the pros ride whatever they want (or anyone else for that matter) - I'm sticking with my discs.

I'm the same, but for those that race, I can see that what the UCI decides is important to them.

I think it's a load of nonsense covering up straightforward traditionalism.

The weight is a non-issue as all the bikes weigh in at the UCI limit, and the safety thing seems to be one groundless scare story after another.

It would be good if road.cc or someone else could get hold of a pair of shoes identical to those in the latest claim of disc-slicing, and try pushing them onto a disc rotor spinning at the relevant speed, video it and show us what happens!

Avatar
robthehungrymonkey | 7 years ago
4 likes

It would be nice if some of the pros actually provided some/any proof that they're dangerous rather than every cut being caused by something that everyone else seems to struggle to replicate. 

But hey, this is 2017. People can just say stuff and choose their own truth. 

It's also odd in a world of "marginal gains" do riders often seem to ignore what science says and carry on with their older ways. 

Avatar
grahamTDF replied to robthehungrymonkey | 7 years ago
0 likes

robthehungrymonkey wrote:

It would be nice if some of the pros actually provided some/any proof that they're dangerous rather than every cut being caused by something that everyone else seems to struggle to replicate. 

But hey, this is 2017. People can just say stuff and choose their own truth. 

It's also odd in a world of "marginal gains" do riders often seem to ignore what science says and carry on with their older ways. 

Velonews have done this, twice

http://www.velonews.com/2017/02/video/video-what-will-discs-cut-the-raw-meat-episode_431228

Avatar
robthehungrymonkey replied to grahamTDF | 7 years ago
0 likes

grahamTDF wrote:

robthehungrymonkey wrote:

It would be nice if some of the pros actually provided some/any proof that they're dangerous rather than every cut being caused by something that everyone else seems to struggle to replicate. 

But hey, this is 2017. People can just say stuff and choose their own truth. 

It's also odd in a world of "marginal gains" do riders often seem to ignore what science says and carry on with their older ways. 

Velonews have done this, twice

http://www.velonews.com/2017/02/video/video-what-will-discs-cut-the-raw-meat-episode_431228

 

Kind of. But I thinka  glancing blow is all that you'll get in a crash with a rotor that's only spinning very briefly (i'd be much more worried about fingers in spokes if wheels were continually spinning in a crash). The pros are also using rotors that have rounded edges unlike the test (i think). 

The heat is a non-issue too IMO, as the heat will only build up after a long decent, and there are very few crashes then. It's probably much more of a concern in a world cup XC race. 

What the pros race doesn't matter to me, but when the UCI suspended discs last year, they were also banned in european sportives too which is a bit harsh on normal people.

Avatar
ashliejay | 7 years ago
2 likes

He's getting paid by campag to say that, and might piss off canyon seeing as they've gone all in on road disc brakes.

Avatar
Prosper0 replied to ashliejay | 7 years ago
0 likes

ashliejay wrote:

He's getting paid by campag to say that, and might piss off canyon seeing as they've gone all in on road disc brakes.

But, but the manufacturers and TVs Ads made me buy a disk bike and now the pros who know cycling like no-one else don't like it indecision

Tom Boonen - who is retiring this year (so has less interest in the long term sport) sponsored by Specialized, a mega corporation pushing disks is ok right? 

Use your brain. 

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