Why discs dominate in cyclo-cross

SRAM’S JP Mccarthy, road product manager and expert in CX, tells CW why he’s in no doubt that the disc brake is far superior to its older sibling, the cantlilever

Disc brakes have been fully adopted by the cross world to the point where you’ll struggle to find a new cross bike still using the older-style cantilever brakes.

The simple but ironic fact as to why everyone is using discs is that they allow you to go faster. “You just go faster. Fast is fun and don’t forget we are talking about competition here and fast ultimately helps see you to better results,” says Mccarthy.

Discs offer a range of benefits to the rider, whether a complete novice or a seasoned racer, and Mccarthy says they also have a safety benefit too — especially during the winter months.

“Temperature, mud, water, sand and ice wreak havoc on rims and brake pads. It ultimately ensures rim braking performance plummets; you get to the stage where you have to start pre-braking to clean the rims. Whereas discs in all conditions remain predictable and consistent.”

Knowing the consistency is there allows you to pick later braking points, says JP, utilising the power discs have to offer. “You can go into corners faster, attack the descents and thanks to the better modulation on offer, you can control yourself during the corners too, providing better overall control.”

Ultimately discs offer better, faster, safer and more joyful riding but with a lighter braking motion, which can leave you feeling fresher. “Basically less hand force is required, which leads to a decrease in muscle fatigue and greater comfort over time.”