Brake types for bikes

Brake Types for Bikes list

brake type	example	take note	retrofit needs
rim	Caliper (most modern ?) V-brake (wire across top) Cantilever (old ?)	weak in wet
disc		strong in wet hydraulic (future standard ?) or mechanical (cheaper)	hub adapter ? (remove spokes ? new wheel ?) fork adapter (fork adapter or new fork with disc fixings ?)
drum/roller/hub	roller is shimano version	niche. needs special hub ? heats too easy ? good in wet ?	need hub on new wheel or remove spokes ? need compatible fork ?

update : none yet

Caliper bike brakes

Above is a table I am using to make sense of brake types for bikes. It could be incorrect. Currently I have 'caliper' rim brakes but thinking of switching the front to either a disc brake or hub brake for more safety. The front brakes seem the most important as I use them about 95% of the time.

Reason for table :
Trying to gather my thoughts as hard to find choices in quick view method. My understanding is 2/10. Will update table when more is known. 

My current brakes : Caliper rim brakes
Thinking of : replacing front with hub or disc.
Brake lever type on my bike : flatbar (MTB brake levers)

Reason for changing :
Rim brakes lose a lot of power in the wet. Disc and roller brakes are not affected by wet. For commuters I think at least the front brakes should be disc (or less likely ... roller).

Shimano groupset list

My knowledge of subject : 3/10

I have compiled this list for my own use to try and make sense of the Shimano groupsets. The lists are from wikipedia (abbreviated). My understanding is that the groupset tend to mean the 'mechanical' parts of the bike. This would usually be the drivetrain and shifters and brake levers. (?)

Shimano Road groupsets (2013)	Shimano MTB groupsets (2011)
For 2013, Shimano road bicycle groupsets include: Dura-Ace  Ultegra [6800] (11 speed) Ultegra [6700] (10 speed) 105 [5800] (11 speed) 105 [5700] (10 speed) Tiagra [4600] (10 speed) Sora [3500] (9 speed) Claris [2400] (8 speed)	XTR (10) Saint (9) Deore XT (9/10) SLX (9/10) Zee (10) Hone (9) Deore LX (8/9) Deore (9/10) Alivio (8/9) Acera (8) Altus (8) Tourney (8)

Link to wikipedia page
RCUK article : buyer's guide to road bike groupsets

List of cycling wind noise blockers

Cycling ear protectors (from wind noise etc)

I am compiling a list of 'ear protectors' that are designed to protect the ears from wind noise when cycling. This is an ongoing project

List of wind blockers tried : my opinion

Airstreamz (formerly Cat Ears) Tried. Didn't notice any difference. Fit to your helmet so can't be worn without. Too expensive

Windfree : Tried. Felt these worked at low speeds but not above that. Say under 15km (speed + windspeed) Once you get to around 15km speed (or wind is that high) the protection dips, though I guess it still helps a bit. You wear on ears so no helmet needed. Can be sweaty when hot, or wet when raining. Doesnt't block non-wind noise. I would design it to dampen all noise a bit (say at the front). Very awkward to buy (2014 ... from Swedish website. Amazon would be nice). Too expensive.

Finger test : if you put a finger in front of your ear when air is passing you at speed you can see how good ear protection could be. The 2 I have tried came nowhere near this.

Verdict : Still would choose to design my own but for now I use windfree

List of known wind-blockers (2015)

AirStreamz 

cat-ears pro 2014

Former name : Cat ears

Price : around $12 - $22
Buy at : Their website. Based in Denver Colorado
http://www.cat-ears.com/

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Slipstreamz

Price : Around $22 ?
Buy at : their website. South African company ?
http://www.slipstreamz.com/

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Wind-blox

Price : £15/$15 ? 
http://wind-blox.com/

Blog Discounts (courtesy of Windblox) :
10% discount on Wind-blox website : use code gocommuterbike (see this comment)
15% off Wind-blox pro on their site : use code gocommuterbikePRO (see this comment)

Available on Amazon

Amazon USA : Wind-blox 

Amazon UK : Wind-blox

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Windfree

Price : 31 Euros ?
Based : Sweden
http://www.windfree.se/en/home

update jul21 :

Been using this for years. Works like a mic muff. Diffuses low wind noise.

It works for me, until around 14kph  (then I guess still dampens real noise).

A bit warm in hot weather but def worthwhile for me <14kph (maybe <15mph. I can't recall). 

 

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Windrush headband

A thick headband with ear protection
price : £25 plus shipping ?
Windrush website (Sweden) : link