At Origine, the entire range of road bikes is available with both rim brakes and disc brakes. The same goes for Prymahl wheels, which are available for both braking systems. Rim brakes remain in the catalog to satisfy all cyclists and still have a bright future ahead.
Rim Brakes: The Advantages
At the Top Vélo Awards, the Axxome RS Evo (rim brake version) finished 2nd overall and first in the public vote. A sign that rim brakes are still holding their ground.
Weight: Advantage Rim Brakes
Choosing rim brakes bike is the best option for keeping the weight as low as possible. Expect a difference of about 500 to 700 grams in favor of rim brakes for two equivalent configurations. These few hundred grams are saved on the wheels (50 to 150 grams), the frame (50 to 150 grams), and the groupset (300 to 400 grams).
Price: Advantage Rim Brakes
The price difference also favors the rim brake system. On average, expect to save 200 to 300€ for an equivalent configuration with rim brakes. These savings come from the frame (50 to 100€) and the groupset (150 to 200€), both of which are less expensive in their rim brake versions.
Maintenance: Advantage Rim Brakes
Rim brakes also have the edge in terms of maintenance ease. Changing a pair of brake pads or a brake cable remains simple and quick tasks. While maintaining hydraulic brakes isn’t prohibitive, it does require some practice to master bleeding, choosing the right pads, and maintaining the discs.
Disc brakes: The Advantages
Power and Precision of Braking: Advantage Disc Brakes
The power and precision of braking, regardless of weather conditions, make disc brakes a very attractive option. While the use of disc brakes is unquestioned in MTB and Gravel, the debate continues for road bikes. The comfort of powerful and precise braking is also valid on the road.
Tire and Wheel Compatibility: Advantage Disc Brakes
Disc brakes bike open up new possibilities for compatibility with wider tire sections. Rim brake calipers limit tire widths to a maximum of 25 mm. In contrast, disc brakes allow for tires as wide as the frame can accommodate. This width tends to increase every year, with sections of 28 mm, 30 mm, and even 32 mm for the Axxome GT Ultra and the Axxome GTR Evo Ultra.
Additionally, competitors with two pairs of wheels no longer have the compatibility issue between pads for carbon rims and those for aluminum rims. Discs and pads remain the same regardless of the wheel used.
Wheel Longevity: Advantage Disc Brakes
The final point in this comparison is wheel longevity. Rim braking gradually wears down and erodes the rim, eventually weakening it and turning it into a replaceable part.
With disc braking, the wear part is the disc itself. After several thousand kilometers, it is preferable to replace a disc costing between 20 and 80€, rather than a pair of rim brake wheels costing between 200€ and 2500€.
At Origine, you remain free to make your choice.
At Origine, frames are still available in rim brake versions because we do not want to impose a standard on you. The same goes for Prymahl; road wheels are still available in rim brake versions. You remain free to choose the equipment that best suits your riding style.
