V-Brake or Mechanical Disc Brake on electric city bike | shuangye ebike

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V-Brake or Mechanical Disc Brake on electric city bike

V-Brake or Mechanical Disc Brake on electric city bike

The electric city bike market is full of a variety of bike brake. The three main types are: rim brakes, disc brakes, and drum brakes. There have been various types of brakes used throughout history, and several are still in use today. Most bicycle brake systems consist of three main components: a mechanism for the rider to apply the brakes, a mechanism for transmitting that signal and the brake mechanism itself.

Now we want to talk about V-brake and mechanical disc brake. V-brake is one of the brakes for rim brakes, and mechanical disc brake is one of two main types of disc brakes, another is hydraulic disc brake. This article mainly introduce why some electric city bikes use V-brake and some electric city bikes adopt mechanical disc brake. Analyse their differences, disadvantage and advantage.


The main difference between v-brakes and disc brakes is how and where the braking force is applied. The V-brake applies a force of brake caliper to the brake track of a rim, located just below the tire, then use cables to close the brake caliper. Through friction between brake pads and brake track slows the rotation of the wheel and brings your electric city bike to a stop. However, mechanical disc brake applies a caliper brake force to a rotor that is connected to the hub of a bicycle wheel, and then through friction between the brake pads and the rotor slows the rotation of the wheel and stop your electric city bike.


What is V-brake merits? Which part is better than mechanical disc brake? The first reason is bike weight. Electric city bike with V-brake typically lighter than the same bike with mechanical disc brake. Electric city bike tend to be more aerodynamic when it use V-brake. Unlike mechanical disc brake, installing and setting up V-brake is much easier. Therefore, it is easy to maintain and replace, even on the go and spare brake shoes and braking components are easily available in the market. V-Brakes add no strain on the hubs or spokes and it is not hinder the mounting of a rear kick stand. V-Brakes are a lot less expensive typically more affordable than disc brakes.

Why someone like to choose electric city bike with mechanical disc brake not the same bike with V-brake? Compared with V-brake,  mechanical disc brake have more responsive, stronger braking and more adjustability with braking responsiveness. The conditions of the weather extremities like rain and snow (wet, dry etc) does not affect the brake and braking performance. Because mechanical disc brake can better stopping in wet conditions. You can use wider tires without the limitations of brake calipers. Cause the mechanical disc brakes do not damage the rims of the tires. Apart from it is easy to install and configure. Removing the tires off of mechanical disc brake also is relatively easier.


What are the cons of electric city bike with V-brake? Braking performance is the biggest difference. Affected by water and mud, V-brake stopping is less responsive than mechanical disc brakes. Brake pads tend to wear faster, so you need to regularly replace brake shoes. Rims wear down over time from stopping so eventually the wheel will need to be replaced. If you want to change your tire size and rim width are generally will restricted. Though V-brake have many pros, it a bit of  troublesome to replace the rims and brake pads frequently and regularly. If you don’t mind that it’s OK.

And what about the mechanical disc brake demerits? Why some riders still do not like use disc brake? Because of its structure and heavier, the cost of mechanical disc brake tend to be expensive than V-brake. And its initial set-up and maintenance can be complicated. But compared with hydraulic disc bake, mechanical disc brake is easy to set-up and maintenance. If you want to install mechanical disc brake, your fork of the electric city bike needs to be disc brake compatible. However, mechanical disc brake not only can complicate the mounting of a rear lick stand, but also will add stress on the spokes of the wheel.

How should you choose?

Should we choose the electric city bike with V-brake or the same electric city bike of mechanical disc brake? I think it depend on your favorite and needs, if you are a person just need a bike to solve commute and daily travel, a electric city bike with V-brake can meet your all requirements. If you also like fat and wide tires, not like maintenance and replacement, riding on different terrain (like muddy and wet or dry and hot area), I feel that electric city bike with mechanical disc brake much perfect for you.

Cause mechanical disc brake is shown to be more precise, have more braking power, and greater control. That is why so many electric city still adopt mechanical disc brake. Except your favorite and needs, budget also a important reason, the cost usually will be higher than V-brake electric city bike. If your request is not toot high, V-brake will be a good choice when you need bike to solve traffic jam.

If you want to know more about V-brake electric city bike or mechanical disc brake electric city bike. You can browse our website or leave a message below.