Car and Bicycle Brakes

Caliper Brakes

Effectiveness: good mechanical advantage as it allows the operator to brake with little effort on the hydraulic lever, which needs to be squeezed.

Material: Calipers are fixed mount, opposed piston calipers cast from aluminium alloy. Calipers are the hydraulic clamp portion of the disc braking system. Manufactured from either ferrous or non-ferrous materials and bolted firmly to the suspension upright(or knuckle) the caliper holds the pads in place and, through the action hydraulic pistons actuated by the master cylinder, force them against the rotating surface of the disc when pressure is applied to the brake pedal.

Friction Material: non asbestos brake pads

Car differences: size is one major difference in car and bike systems. The systems can be totally different but still use hydraulic mechanisms.

Cantilever Brakes

Effectiveness: provide good power and modulation. They are very effective in stopping the bike because they provide a large stopping force, but the rider's heel will hit the brake and may irritate the rider and cause the brakes to ruin.

Material: includes 2 brake shoes and a brake pad

Friction Material: non asbestos brake pads.

Car differences: size and shape. Also consists of lighter materials.

V Brakes

Effectiveness: basically the same as above.

Material:

Friction Material:

Car differences:

Drum Brakes

Effectiveness: Very good brakins system as they wear very slowly and are not afftected by weather. Also used with Disc Brakes. Being on the rear.

Material: A bike drum brake is hand operated which is attached to the hub of the wheel, the shoes press on the inside of the drum.

Friction Material: Non asbestos