Difference between Mechanical and Hydraulic Disc Brake?

What is Hydraulic Disc Brake?

• Hydraulic disc brakes have more stopping power because they can cope with heat better.
• Hydraulic disc brakes provide more consistent braking power in all weather conditions.
• Hydraulic disc brakes are more expensive, but last longer and provide more stopping power.
• Hydraulic systems offer extra modulated braking power.

What is Mechanical Disc brakes?

• Mechanical disc brakes provide more modulation and require less maintenance.
• Mechanical discs brakes are actuated faster under hard braking.
• Mechanical discs brakes are easier to replace if damaged.
• Mechanical disc brakes are less expensive.

Difference between Mechanical and Hydraulic Disc Brake?

Mechanical discs essentially use a metal tube filled with fluid to create resistance against the brake pads to slow down or stop. A hydraulic system relies on pressurized brake fluid which slows the spinning rotor by forcing pistons in the calipers to push back against them.

Mechanical discs brakes are cheaper than Hydraulic disc brakes

Mechanical disc brakes usually require less maintenance than hydraulic disc brakes

Mechanical disc brakes tend to wear out faster than hydraulic disc brakes.

Hydraulic disc brakes use hydraulic pressure to power pistons, whereas mechanical disc brakes rely on the friction between a pad and a rotating drum that is linked to one or two calipers.  

Hydraulic systems are generally considered more powerful and efficient than mechanical systems, and they also require less maintenance.

Hydraulic systems can also be more susceptible to damage from freezing weather, while mechanical systems are not.

The hydraulic lines are relatively immune to changes in temperature, a hydraulic disc brake system is less likely to experience performance problems in extreme weather conditions.

Mechanical disc brakes use a metal brake pad that presses against a disc-shaped rotor attached to the wheel to create friction and slow the bike down. Hydraulic disc brakes use a brake fluid that transmits pressure from the brake lever to the brake pads, creating more friction and slowing the bike down faster.

A hydraulic disc brake system uses fluid (usually mineral oil) to transmit pressure from the brake lever to the brake caliper. This design has several advantages over a mechanical disc brake system, including greater stopping power and improved modulation (the ability to control the amount of braking force).

A hydraulic disc brake system also requires less hand strength than a mechanical disc brake system.