ok... arguing which looks better is just for fun, because it’s totally subjective and in the eye of the beholder for sure. Having said that, to my eyes at least, discs are Fuhhgly on a road bike, with a captial F. Screams mountain bike to me. And when I’m behind them, I can’t help but see all the width and bulkiness of those barnacles (a great descriptor by the way, huge warts might be another). Not to mention you have to pretty much run a rear wheel up front now. Dished. Beefed up. More spokes. No more radial lacing. Etc. And functionally, in a time where a few short years ago when #aerowaseverything, and the slightest unnecessary protrusion was cause for a life sentence from the aero police, it’s so funny that the non aeroness of those discs and associated calipers where before there were none became acceptable and really “not that bad”. Same as the additional weight. “not that bad”. Really, not that bad?... in a world where fractions of watt savings are considered relevant? Hmmm, seems like a disconnect somewhere. Rim brakes were always either in front of or behind the forks/stays so additional drag was pretty minimal, and always less weight, but so unprofitable going forward. But these new barnacles, of very non aero shapes, and the widended stance of the rear triangle needed to accommodate them, all of a sudden became well, ok. Ok then... carry on... I just can’t unsee the barnacles whenever I’m behind a disc braked road bike. They’re hideous. Look away.
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