Uncle Joe makes the case for rim brakes <\/p>
2023 was a turbulent year for the bike industry, but nothing sent cycling media into a greater feeding frenzy than when the men\u2019s UK National Hill Climb Championships were won on a disc-brake equipped road bike.<\/p>
In the UK hill climb scene<\/a>, weight almost always trumps aero \u2013 it was, in some ways, the last area where high-end rim brake road bikes remained more competitive.\u00a0<\/p> The fact the bike in question was being piloted by arguably the best amateur hill climber in the world<\/a> may have contributed a tiny bit, but if you looked on any cycling media site during early November 2023, it was official \u2013 rim brakes were finally RIP.<\/p> So, it may come as a surprise to you that, with the ink on the death certificate for rim brake road bikes<\/a> not yet dry, there are still people, like me, buying them.<\/p> And I didn\u2019t just go out and buy any old rim-brake bike, I went for an all-time classic \u2013 the Giant TCR.\u00a0<\/p> I also decided to cause as much damage to my bank balance as possible by buying the top-spec Advanced SL model (yes, the one with the funny seatpost) and speccing it with Campagnolo Super Record.\u00a0<\/p> \u201cBut why would you buy such outmoded technology you idiot?\u201d, <\/em>I hear you ask. Here, I\u2019ll make my case\u2026<\/p>