disc brakes, 160,180 combo

mate of mine has asked if i would have a look at his bike as its been sat in his garden under a rain cover for two years.
bit of rust on chain but saveable, just needs a clean and a lube
but i noticed his disc brakes, just basic cables shimano 8 speed vbrake levers, but he has a 180mm rotor on the front and a 160mm rotor on the back.
im a bit of a disc nub but is that the wrong way round??? surely you would need the greater stopping power on the back
he uses it on the road, with huge dh tyres :roll: , but i dont want him goiung over the bars, should i switch them round or am i just being newb and thats an okset up
bit of rust on chain but saveable, just needs a clean and a lube
but i noticed his disc brakes, just basic cables shimano 8 speed vbrake levers, but he has a 180mm rotor on the front and a 160mm rotor on the back.
im a bit of a disc nub but is that the wrong way round??? surely you would need the greater stopping power on the back
he uses it on the road, with huge dh tyres :roll: , but i dont want him goiung over the bars, should i switch them round or am i just being newb and thats an okset up
0
Posts
Boardman CX Comp
:oops:
i thought on the bike you want more stopping power in the rear, as a tight pull on the front is going to send you over the bars
so now im thinking going over the bars is ONLY down to poor technique rather than too much power
Some people associate being able to skid the back wheel with power,again this is poor technique.If the back wheel is skidding you're not in control.You can lock the rear wheel just as easily with a 160mm rotor as you can with a 203mm.
Even on very steep,rocky technical terrain I feather the front brake as well as using the rear.
As with a motorcycle you should use both together with the front doing most of the work 8)
Boardman CX Comp
just seemed counter intuitive for some reason
On an MTB you do still need decent rear brakes as you will use the rear for control when going over loose ground, where you can't risk a front wheel slide. Also heavy front breaking makes steering harder, so sometimes you bias to the rear to keep the front light.
Most people typically use their rear brake more, but their front brake harder. i.e. front for stopping, rear for control.
To stop as quickly as possible - use front, add back, then more front. The rear is much easier to lock up because there is no weight over it.
Its not just motorbikes - its the same for cars too.
Stretching & Workout Vids