Hydraulic disc brakes are fantastic, making it possible to safely roll down even the steepest trails with single-finger brake lever control.

Mountain bikers discovered the power and consistency of hydraulic brakes, in the mid-1990s. Initially misjudged as a needless complication and expensive, hydraulic disc brake benefits quickly converted all doubters.

It took the road bike scene much longer, with some pro teams only converting to hydraulic discs last year.

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