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Disc Brake
A hub brake, similar to an automotive disc brake, consisting of a disc which bolts or threads onto the hub and a caliper attached to the frame or fork which squeezes on the disc. Disc brakes are better able to dissipate heat than rim brakes, making them popular for downhill events and for tandems.
Some early disc brakes had a reliability problem, in that outer part of the disc could break away from the part that attached to the hub, causing complete failure with no warning whatever. When the rider would squeeze the brake lever, it would feel solid, as the caliper was gripping the disc securely...unfortunately, it would do nothing to stop the bicycle!
Disc brakes are becoming increasingly common, partly because they work in wet conditions when rim brakes don't, partly because they don't cause wear to rims, and partly because of fashion.
See our article about disc brakes.
There have been concerns about the safety of front disc brakes in conjunction with quick-release skewers. See James Annan's article on this topic.
