>I always thought the main argument against disc brakes on road bikes was they they aren't good for long descents where you're riding the brake for long periods

>I always thought the main argument against disc brakes on road bikes was they they aren't good for long descents where you're riding the brake for long periods of time... due to heat fade or whatever. No, you have it the other way around. Rubber brake pads on wheel rims fade with heat; disc brakes are able to dissipate far more heat, and are basically essential for long descents. The only valid argument against disc brakes on bikes is that they weigh a little more (maybe 1 pound). I suppose you could also argue that brake fluid is more trouble to deal with than a cable, and certainly not as easy to jerry-rig, but hundreds of millions of cars use hydraulic brakes without any trouble these days, and I wouldn't want to have jerry-rigged brakes anyway.