• 'V' Brakes are the most common brakes on the majority of bikes.
• Cantilevers are now uncommon, even on kids bikes - 'v' style brakes, with their extra stopping power and lighter action at the lever, are simply easier to use.
• Magura's (hydraulic rim brakes) offer extreme levels of power, although are not as easy to set up or to maintain. However, as disc brake systems have come down in price, Magura rim brakes are becoming less popular. The advantages of discs at a comparable price point have become the more appealing option for most mountain bikers.

The main advantage of rim brakes is really their price - they are a lot less expensive to purchase, and do not require the specialist wheels that disc brakes require. They also offer plenty of power and are easy to maintain (with the exception of Magura's).

Disc brakes were originally put on downhill mountain bikes for one simple reason - they offered incredible stopping power. But, more importantly, disc brakes would operate just as efficiently when a wheel rim became buckled. With rim brakes, the effect of a buckled wheel would cause the rim to warp out of shape and create a degree of brake rub. This has an obvious impact upon the performance of your bike.


All disc brakes were hydraulically operated from lever to caliper, and on more expensive models, still are. However, cable operated discs have now become widely available at the cheaper end of the market, offering the same advantages as their hydraulic counterparts, albeit with a little less power.