V-brakes are the longest and most commonly used brake system on bicycles and e-bikes.

V-brakes are side actuated, with the cable housing fixed to one arm by a ‘noodle’, and the inner cable clamped to the other. As the cable is pulled through the housing, the two arms are drawn towards one another, moving the pads towards the rim.

V-brakes were introduced at a time when suspension was becoming more common and, as a V-brake system does not require a fixed cable stop on the frame or fork, they quickly became popular on road-, mountain and e-bikes.

Advantages
• V-Brakes are a lot less expensive than disc brakes.
• They are easy to maintain and replace, even on the go.
• V-Brakes add no strain on the hubs or spokes.
• Spare brake pads and braking components are easily available in the market.
• V-brakes are very easy to adjust.

While hydraulic brakes seem much more complicated than mechanical disc brakes, the reality is, they’re really not.

They use the same technology that’s been in cars or motorcycles since the 1920s. On a bicycle, the hydraulic lever engages a plunger that pushes brake fluid from the master cylinder in the lever body through the brake line. This is a sealed system, so the master cylinder and line are full of brake fluid. The pressure in the line engages the pistons in the brake calliper, which pushes the two brake pads against the rotor.

The reason hydraulic disc brakes are more powerful than mechanical disc brakes is that the master cylinder multiplies the force put into the brake lever through the line, creating more braking force than what was applied at the brake lever. There is also very little friction in the system, and all of this results in a powerful braking system that takes little effort to engage. Most hydraulic brakes can be operated with just one finger, which frees up the others for better handlebar control, resulting in less hand fatigue on long rides.

Advantages
• Hydraulic disc brakes are more powerful and faster at stopping.
• There’s less force required, resulting in less hand fatigue.
• There’s very little adjustment required because callipers/pistons self-adjust.
• Hydraulic disc brakes have a smoother operation because there is no cable friction.
• Because hydraulic brakes use sealed fluid, dirt can’t get inside, making them pretty much maintenance-free.
• More stopping power = More efficient
• Lighter and more consistent.
• You can ride faster because you can stop faster.
• More technologically advanced.