A detail view of the disc brakes on the bicycle of Alberto Bettiol riding for Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling during stage five of the 2018 AMGEN Tour of California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The 105th running of the Tour de France, the biggest race in road cycling, begins on Saturday. This year’s race threatens to be the fastest on record simply because some riders will be able to stop quicker than other. After the Union Cycliste Internationale amended its regulations on Jul. 1, disc brakes are now legal.
Disc brakes provide increased traction for riders compared to rim brakes.