What type of brakes does a cargo bike have?
Cargo bikes, just like ordinary bicycles, can come with different types of brakes. All Babboe cargo bikes have two or three independently functioning brakes. The cargo bikes with electric pedal assistance (E-Variants and Mountain) are equipped with disc brakes. Babboe cargo bikes without pedal assistance are equipped with rollerbrakes (optional disc brakes at the front are available). Several non-electric models have drum brakes. Which type of brakes is best for you and your bicycle? With the help of the overview below, you can choose which brakes are perfect for you.
The three types of cargo bike brakes:
Drum brakes
Drum brakes are similar to rollerbrakes. The brake pads on the inside are pushed against the metal drum. The brake pads for drum brakes differ from other types of brakes.
Rollerbrakes
Rollerbrakes can be found in the middle of the wheel and looks like a ring with rollers. The cam pushes these rollers against the outside of the drum. This causes friction and makes the bicycle slow down. When hitting the brakes with maximum force, the brake force will be dampened. This prevents the wheels from locking up and prevents you from slipping.
Disc brakes
Disc brakes are very powerful and reliable brakes, even when braking forcefully. They feature good braking force in all weather conditions, including when it's wet outside. There are two types of disc brakes:
Mechanical disc brakes:
With mechanical disc brakes the braking force is exerted on the brake pads through a cable. The cable may become slack, which decreases the braking quality. These brakes are less powerful than hydraulic disc brakes. Some maintenance is needed.
Hydraulic disc brakes:
Hydraulic disc brakes are the best and most powerful type of brakes for a cargo bike. By squeezing the brake levers on your steering wheel you change the pressure of the hydraulic fluid, allowing for faster and dosed braking. Little maintenance is needed.
Advantages and disadvantages of each brake type:
| Drum brakes | |
| Advantages | Disdvantages |
| The rim does not wear out and does not get dirty | High-maintenance |
| Unaffected by weather conditions | Heavy and not very powerful |
| Difficult to dose | |
| Rollerbrakes | |
| Advantages | Disdvantages |
| Successor of the drum brake | Brakes heavy and not so powerful |
| The rim does not wear out and does not get dirty | Difficult to dose |
| Low-maintenance | The brakes can lose brake force while consecutive braking |
| Disc brakes |
|
| Advantages | Disdvantages |
| Powerful and easy to dose | Prone to dirt |
| Functions very well in the rain | Prone to corrosion |
| Low-maintenance | |