Disc brakes or rim brakes - which road bike is better? - Three road bike models in a braking system comparison

It is still the case that many road bikes are offered with both braking systems at the same time. This raises the question of which is the more attractive purchase. To find out, we asked the three German direct sellers Canyon, Rose and Storck to send us their best-selling road bikes with Shimano's Ultegra groupset with both braking systems for a comparison. We analysed marathon bikes from Canyon and Rose as well as two competition models from Storck.

Marathon bikes

Canyon Endurace CF 8.0 or Endurace CF SL Disc 8.0?

Although the rim brake bike and disc racer have confusingly similar model names, they are actually different bikes. The carbon frame of the Endurace CF for rim brakes has been on the market since 2014, while the Endurace CF SL Disc was presented in its basic form in 2016. It is not only the fact that the frameset is a tad lighter despite the design requirements for mounting the disc brakes that makes it the younger of the two designs.

Conclusion: The fabulous damping makes you forget the 400 grams extra weight of the disc racer, which appears to be a much more attractive bike in direct comparison. However, you have to be willing and able to afford the 600 euro price difference

Rose Team GF Four Ultegra or Team GF Four Disc Ultegra?

Team GF Four and Team GF Four Disc share an identical frame geometry. Despite the many similarities, there is a surprisingly clear difference between the bikes and the disc model is significantly more cushioned because it has 28 millimetre wide tyres, whereas the rim brake bike has 25 millimetre wide tyres.

Conclusion: With a price advantage of at least 500 euros, the 700 gram lighter Team GF Four with rim brakes, which also has slightly better suspension, appears to be the slightly better of two very good bikes

Competition bikes

Storck Fascenario.3 Comp Ultegra or Fascenario.3 Comp Disc Ultegra

The two Fascenarios were tested as competition bikes - wind tunnel test included. The test scores (see TOUR 04/2019) are therefore not comparable with the marathon models from Rose and Canyon, which were tested without aero measurement. It is remarkable how Storck has managed to compensate for the weight disadvantage of the disc. Although the carbon seatpost provided excellent suspension on the test bench, we found the bikes to be rather harsh. The reasons for this are the stiff carbon handlebar/stem unit, the unyielding saddle and the narrow tyres.

Conclusion: A slight advantage for the disc brake bike: Storck manages to reduce the weight disadvantage of the disc to 200 grams - in practice this is almost irrelevant. That leaves an extra 400 euros for the modern braking technology

You can read the complete test in TOUR 04/2019