Nederlands | English | Deutsch | Türkçe

Project Sports

Questions and answers about sports

Can I use a rim brake rear wheel in a disc brake bike, for indoor training?

5 min read

Asked by: Kitty Thomas

Can I use a rim brake wheel on a disc brake bike?

When shopping for a bike (or a bike frame), you will often find two different options: the disc brake version and the rim brake version. The design of disc brakes is not compatible with a rim brake bike, and vice versa.

Can you put rim brakes on a disc brake frame?

Short answer: no. Disc brake rims generally don’t have a brake track designed for rim brakes, and you will damage the rim quickly.

Can you put a bike with disc brakes on a trainer?

If your bike has disc brakes, you’ll want to look into purchasing a thru axle for your rear wheel so it connects easily to the trainer. If your bike has rim brakes, you’ll likely need a trainer skewer to get your bike set up.

Are all wheels compatible with disc brakes?

If you have disc brakes on your current wheel, your new wheels also must be disc-compatible, right down to the type of rotor, which is the perforated ring that circles the wheel hub. Most disc brakes have a rotor that attaches via a 6-bolt mount, while some Shimano wheels use a rotor that has a centerlock mount.

Which is better disc brakes or rim brakes?

Disc brakes offer better modulation than rim brakes, meaning it’s easier for the rider to precisely meter out how much clamping power is generated. Peak stopping power occurs just before the point of lock-up, and disc-equipped bikes are better equipped to flirt with that edge without crossing over.

Do Tour de France riders use disc brakes?

Disc brakes continue to dominate



In the 2021 Tour de France, all but one of the teams has disc brake technology at its disposal, with the majority of teams being committed to discs entirely.

Can you use a thru axle on a bike trainer?

You’ll need an adaptor in order to fit a thru axle bike to a wheel-on trainer. You usually have to buy the adaptor separately. Most direct drive trainers now come with whatever’s necessary to use it with a thru axle bike.

Can I use thru axle on trainer?

Quote from video: But they also work with through axle road bikes cross bikes and gravel bikes the classic tax train is for use with these adapters include the genius vortex flow. And other non-interactive such as

How do you mount a mountain bike to a trainer?

Quote from video: You get the wheel on types which literally you clamp it around your wheel axles your wheel. Goes directly onto the flywheel itself. Again you'll need a slick tire for these there's.

Why do pros prefer rim brakes?

The answer is simple: Really good rim brakes stop just as well as even the best disc brakes. And many riders find that rim brakes offer superior feel: The brake lever is directly connected to the rim via a cable, rather than having the feedback dulled by the wind-up of the spokes and by hydraulic fluid.

Do I really need disc brakes on my road bike?

Disc brakes are objectively better than rim brakes. They make stopping easier to control, and some cases just flat-out easier. You can one-finger brake to a halt from huge speeds, and even a heavy downpour has virtually no impact on your ability to stop as long as you’re staying within the limits of your tyres.

What are the disadvantages of disc brakes?

Disc Brake Disadvantages

  • It is expensive.
  • More skills required to operate disk brakes. …
  • If any air remains in disk brake system, it can be problematic as brakes may not work effectively.
  • Disk brake assembly has more moving parts and it is more complex than drum brakes.

Which brake is better on a bike?

Disc brakes

Better braking power – Disc brakes generate far more braking power than standard rim brakes. For the rider this means having to apply far less pressure on the brake levers, reducing muscle tiredness, especially on long descents where you are constantly having to check your speed.

Which brake is best for bike?

Disc brakes are always better than drum brakes and can deliver excellent braking performance. The disc brakes might cost you a premium, but the kind of braking performance you get is worth the money. We recommend you to go for bikes with disc brakes and ABS as it will protect you during panic braking situations.

How long do rim brakes last?

“In the worst cases, riders may experience rim lifespans as short as 1500 miles, and in the best cases perhaps up to 12000 miles!

What brakes are best on a road bike?

Side-pull caliper brakes were the primary choice for road bikes for decades. They’re lightweight and can provide strong braking, although they’re much more susceptible to performance degradation in the wet than disc brakes.

Why do road bikes not use disc brakes?

The disadvantages of disc brakes outweigh the advantages; they’re expensive, heavier than caliper brakes, more complicated and raise compatibility issues. Disc wheels are not going to work in your current bikes, and vice versa. There is also the risk of problems with heat dissipation on long descents.

How long do brake discs last for?

As a rough estimate, you can expect your brake discs to have a lifetime of around 80,000 – 120,000 miles.