The recent rule change initially sparked quite a debate, but it all seems to have gone quiet. Apart from the Tr!ckstuff CX brake master cylinder, there have been few examples of new kit and particularly new top level disc compatible frames hitting the market.
Now, I guess the rule announcement came pretty late so many manufacturers were well into polishing off their 2010/11 season equipment - but the (lack of) uptake of disc brakes has been (to me) startling. Certainly, as the tech stands, it adds substantial weight with benefit only in really mucky events, but from my outing at the end of last season I still believe that discs provide an advantage in muddy or very wet events.
Which brings me to my first outing of the season at Lydiard Park, a dry and very cold, windy day on a virtually bone dry circuit. I did notice the extra weight and, as fatigue took hold, I over-braked a few times. I must admit that at times I wished I was on my canti-braked Kinesis!
So what do I take from this? The seriously competitive cyclocross racer needs both. For fast hard-pack races, nothing will come close to a canti-braked bike for sheer speed - but in the murk I'm sure the disc brakes will help me out. May this be a really wet and mucky winter!
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