Recommendations sought: Best mechanical disk brakes for a cargobike? Hydraulic not an option.
@bikepedantic In the land of purely mechanical brakes for a cargo bike Paul Klampers are the gold standard, tho Growtac Equal Brakes are also very powerful. If you're good with a hybrid system (cable-actuated hydro), look at Juin Tech 4-piston or 6-piston models or TRP HY/RD brakes, both of which are excellent.
@randomduck @bikepedantic Echoing the hybrid system idea - I know a ton of people who've done that as an upgrade on older Radpower bikes or the like and have been thrilled with the difference it's made.
@bikepedantic then get the Paul’s or maybe the Yokozuna cable-actuated hydraulics. Merry Sales has them.
@bikepedantic What metric are you optimizing? I am super-happy with the (hydraulic) Shimano brakes on the EdgeRunner because I can change the pads without removing the wheel. I also like them because their pad-backing is aluminum, so when the material is gone and the brakes start making a Horrible Noise, the (steel) rotors are okay because aluminum is softer.
Contra that, Avid BB7 requires wheel removal, and the pads are steel-backed.
Also, do you have choice for rotor diameter?
@dr2chase @bikepedantic damn. About to replace my Avids' pads for the first time and hadn't checked the process yet. Not looking forward to that 😑
@bikepedantic heard good things about these hybrid disc brakes: cable to the caliper and a small hydro reservoir at the caliper. Might be best of both worlds for a cargo bike https://trpcycling.com/products/hy-rd