Rim Brake Resurgence? The TriRig Omega One

Here's a video that's sure to cause a stir. At TriRig, we believe in the right solutions to each problem. And disc brakes in triathlon are simply NOT the ideal solution. Here's why we think rim brakes are still king of the hill in our sport. Check out the products mentioned in this video:

I can't believe that as a mountain biker i just watched a 7 minute ad of an areo rim brake :D

[Jarrych]

I just got some Kool Stop pads for my rim brakes on my commuter bike. Never had a problem stopping on 40% downgrades in pouring rain in seattle after riding through all kinds of road yuck toward the bike lanes. And these were the standard cannondale V brakes that come on lots of their commuter and consumer bikes.

[vasiliipopov]

The last rim brake bike I had was cursed with one issue - since I lived in northern parts with lots of rains and did ride on all surfaces, including light gravel, every season I had to change the wheels because the dust and sand combined with water created a perfect grinding paste to obliterate the rim's braking surface. I used Kool Stop wet weather brake pads and those served for about 5-7 thousand kilometers, however, for each two pairs of pads new rims were needed as well. There you have it for "simplicity" and "ease of maintenance". And we don't even have as much rain as in the UK.

[jasonhurdlow]

Really sick of the forced move to disc brakes personally. A properly setup set of rim brakes rocks, without all the weight and squealing of disks. I prefer the feel as well.

[MrChippinator]

Last spring I was out cycling in pouring rain. My bike has rim brakes but I use alloy rims. I had no problems stopping whatsoever. I'm not racing, ride my bike for training (I also go to the gym), so I see no reason to replace my 10 year old bike with rim brakes and alloy rims. Never had a problem with that setup.

[askmeaboutmattweiner]

The company selling high end rim brakes explaining why rim brakes are better.

[robertsamuel]

Great vid. Couple of points you didn't touch upon: Tyre clearance, rolling resistance and tyre-rim aerodynamics. Would love to hear you thoughts on those, as they are stated to be extra benefits for disc brakes.

[leftymadrid]

Rim brakes are perfect for my riding abilities...

What's really incredible and sickening is how those companies tried to force riders into the Disc brake ...

[aaceytuno]

Have these on a 2007 Cyfac proxidium aluminum frame bike, maximized for aero and durable parts with 60mm deep wheels, not weight weening sits at 7kg . The thing is a rocket, prior to Tri-rig install, I noticed that the only place that always gathered dust was the front of the headset, hence a dead spot for air . I installed these puppies on the front, now there is no dirt on the headset because this thing is slicing the air . Hands down, this brake does what’s advertised on the box .

[jefferygriffin]

I have been riding on the road exclusively since 1974. Before that I had a Raleigh 3spd that I road on pavement, sidewalks and dirt trails. Start working in a bike shop in Santa Cruz that year and when we weren't fixing or selling bicycles we were smoking ganja and having far ranging discussions on how the Universe should work. One of the great things about bicycles is their simplicity. And that fertile space that breeds invention. So one day this traveling salesman comes in with the bike that is going to change everything. What he showed us was a bicycle with a plastic frame and fork and joining them together was a nylon headset. My friend Laurence looked at it and said; "the only thing missing is disc brakes." Now the owner of the shop joined the conversation: "All the bicycles in this shop already have disc brakes." Except for my Gitane track bike he was right. The wheel is the rotor and the caliper is, well, the caliper. Being a grumpy old fuck now at the age of 71 I think that since Look Pedals hit the industry in 1985 most of the thing since are like putting Alligator shoes on a dead man. Overpriced and unnecessary. Bom Shiva!

[victorrodriguez]

I absolutely agree, Disc brakes are not necessarily on tri bikes or road bikes.
The bicycle parts manufacturers forced them on bikes and bike shops. Then bike shops had to force them on the customer.
The Disc system has had a ton of problems in the initial trial years. And have settled into a subpar marginal component.
The bicycle was so great for over a hundred years due to its elegant simplicity.
I know I'm preaching to the choir here so I'll cut my rant short.
Thanks for staying in the game and continuing to innovate.
In time we'll see disc drop off in popularity and become a high cost niche item that few will desire.

[drill_fiend]

These are fine for road/triathlon bikes on dry, sunny day, but for gravel, mountain and general mixed weather commuting I would prefer disc.

[MarcAntoineBouchet]

living in the Alps, by any weather, I'd never go back to rim brakes for 10km+ steep downhills, mostly during rainy days, discs have been game changers for safety here, already had exploded a tube because of the heat generated on the rim. 
But for flat riding, aero, maintenance and cost, I totally agree with you.

[bretzky]

Awesome video, i'm glad someone finally said it.

[ClarkS]

They are absolutely superior for triathletes. Triathletes aren't braking like road racers anyway. And so much simpler to work on when traveling for races.

[TheAntoine]

It might not be relevant to a pure racing triathlon bike but what i like in discs is wet braking consistency and not grinding my carbon rims. Then i m a rim brake user, mostly because i dont want to change stuff that work and perform.

[ohnezuckerohnefett]

Thanks for stepping out of your shower just to bring us this important message.

[jeraldsomdahl]

I've used rim brakes for over 50 years. 3-4 thousand miles a year. Can't see any reason to change to discs. I did use hub brakes for a while in a rainy area. I do have Tririg brakes on my tt bike.

[dominicfree]

A 7 minute add on rim breaks, give me peace! Waffle at its best. I have a rim break bike and love it. Each to their own

[heiko]

Great. That video makes my day (and that of my 2018 P5) 😎