Quintana: Disc brakes are heavier, less aero, and dangerous
Colombian echoes notion that it could take a tragedy for UCI to 'see sense'
Nairo Quintana has weighed into the great disc brake debate, stating his opposition to the technology, which he sees as dangerous, noisy, unnecessary and counterproductive.
Riders demand UCI ban disc brakes until complete peloton trial is held
Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8.0 Disc first ride - Review
Disc brakes: UCI calls on CPA to 'respect the democratic process'
Marcel Kittel stops using disc brakes at Abu Dhabi Tour
Disc brakes: 'Someone might have to take a bullet for change to happen,' says Hansen
Fizik investigating if disc brakes can slice through its shoes
Quintana frustrated as big names watch each other on Jebel Hafeet
CPA threatens legal action over current disc brake test period
Peter Sagan against disc brakes in a mixed peloton
Disc brake debate continues as Cannondale use discs at Strade Bianche
Nairo Quintana ramps up Giro d'Italia preparation with Tirreno-Adriatico
Martin and Morkov trialing disc brakes for Katusha-Alpecin at Paris-Nice
Trek-Segafredo: We're not going to push Degenkolb or Contador onto disc brakes
"Our bike brand [Canyon –ed] has disc bikes available but in my opinion we shouldn't be using disc brakes," said Quintana.
"Firstly because they don't actually brake all that well. You hear other riders' bikes in the peloton when the brake rubs up against the rotor. That's one thing. Secondly, it makes the bike less aerodynamic. Thirdly, they're much heavier."
"Lastly, there's the danger they pose in a peloton of more than 100 riders. They are good for a touring cyclist, or a person who goes out riding with two or three others and is more careful, but racing is another matter."
As others have argued in the past, Quintana doesn't feel that current caliper braking systems are in any way deficient, and doesn't see the sense in trying to improve something that doesn't need improving.
"There is no problem with the brakes that we currently have – they work very well. No one has ever had any sort of complaint," he argued. "They're lighter, and you have a much better feel."
Disc brakes have been said to be responsible for two incidents in the pro peloton since the UCI introduced them in 2016, with Fran Ventoso suffering a gash to his leg last April, and then Doull's shoe on Thursday – though many have cast doubt on the claims that discs were responsible.
The UCI halted its original trial after the Ventoso incident and commenced the re-trial at the start of this season with rounded rotors, though the riders' union, the CPA, has recently pushed the UCI to ban them once again until further safety measures are introduced.
Adam Hansen, the CPA representative in Abu Dhabi, told Cyclingnews the morning after the Doull incident that "it might take a bullet for change to happen", and his words were echoed by Quintana.
"Until something tragic happens, up to someone even losing their life, they're not going to see sense – the UCI as well the manufacturers," he concluded.

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Deputy Editor. Patrick is an NCTJ-trained journalist who has seven years’ experience covering professional cycling. He has a modern languages degree from Durham University and has been able to put it to some use in what is a multi-lingual sport, with a particular focus on French and Spanish-speaking riders. After joining Cyclingnews as a staff writer on the back of work experience, Patrick became Features Editor in 2018 and oversaw significant growth in the site’s long-form and in-depth output. Since 2022 he has been Deputy Editor, taking more responsibility for the site’s content as a whole, while still writing and - despite a pandemic-induced hiatus - travelling to races around the world. Away from cycling, Patrick spends most of his time playing or watching other forms of sport - football, tennis, trail running, darts, to name a few, but he draws the line at rugby.
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.