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Tata Capital > Blog > What are the Different Types of Disc Brakes Used in Bikes?

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What are the Different Types of Disc Brakes Used in Bikes?

What are the Different Types of Disc Brakes Used in Bikes?

If you wish to make the most of what your bike has to offer, you need a braking system that has enough bite and brawn. Luckily, disc brakes can give you the stopping performance you need.

How does a disc brake work?

A disc braking system works by converting your bike’s speed into heat. The discs have callipers attached to them, which have brake pads. When you clutch the brake pedal, it displaces the brake fluid, putting hydraulic pressure on the brake pads. Due to the pressure, the brake pads squeeze the brake disc. The friction between the disc and the pad slows your bike down.

Now that you have an idea of how a disc brake works, let’s check out the different types of bike disc brakes.

Flat disc brake

As the name suggests, this is a flat, smooth iron disk affixed to your wheel’s axle. These offer excellent braking power due to the large surface area. However, they tend to lose in the long run due to insufficient heat dissipation. This extra friction can quickly fade your brake pads, thereby requiring frequent replacement.

Additional Read: Powerful Bikes Expected to Launch in 2021

Petal disc brakes

Petal disc brakes are the newest and most effective disc brakes in the market. The outer edges of these discs are cut into a wave pattern, which adds to the already enhanced heat dissipation. Petal discs come in both slotted and disc variants.

Moreover, brake pads constantly have an extra surface to bite on due to their wavy design. Thus, significantly increasing a bike’s braking power. All in all, petal discs are one of, if not the best disc brakes for bikes.

Drilled disc brakes

As the weight and size of the bike go up, so does the load on your brakes and the heat they generate. Drilled disc brakes have holes drilled into them, which offer a quick escape route for the heat and gas to disperse. With less surface area in contact, the brake pads also tend to last longer.

It also minimally reduces the weight of the bike. But any weight saved translates to extra points on the speedometer. So drilled disc brakes are an overall good choice.

Slotted disc brakes

In principle, slotted disc brakes work the same as their drilled counterparts. However, instead of holes, these brakes have narrow channels or slots etched onto the disc. These slots help in better heat dissipation, which is the main reason why these brakes have almost double the life of a drilled one. These brakes also have a larger surface area than drilled ones, leading to increased braking power.

Slotted discs also keep the dust and water away from your disc, thereby slowing down the fading of the brake pads.

Additional Read: Best Bikes of 2021 for Beginners in India

Over to you

One shortcoming of bikes with disc brakes is that they are priced higher than those with drum brakes. The extra cost can put a hole in your budget. Luckily, you won’t have to compromise on the braking power with Tata Capital’s affordable two-wheeler loan.

With us, you get attractive bike loan interest rates, flexible repayment options, and easy-to-meet eligibility. So, why wait? Get started today by using our two-wheeler loan EMI calculator.