In a surprise move te UCI has allowed the use of disc brakes for competition in Cyclocross.  For mountain bikers this is a no brainer, the benefits of disc brakes in a sport that competes in the dead of winter with mud and snow is obvious to all.

We had discussed the technicalities of bringing disc brakes to cyclocross bikes before with some of the major manufacturers most notably Shimano.  Stronger fork legs with a disc mount, frames, hubs and the development of a road shifter that will operate a hydraulic caliper are the main features.   Cable operated discs could be fitted straight away provided the operating cam is set right and manufacturers that make mountain bikes are well up on developing disc frames.  While it is unlikely that this will become mainstream for the forth coming season we expect it to be standard for the 2011-2012 season.  SRAM are reported to have something in the works aimed towards the 2013 season which will doubtless be moved up.

Wheel manufacturers will be thrilled as they no longer have to make a rim with a braking surface, handy when it comes to carbon in particular.  It could have good benefits for MTB manufacturers as well who can now divet more research to carbon disc specific rims.  There is a hint that this could be coming for Pro-Tour road teams too…