I remember the first time I rode a "Ride-by-wire" motorcycle. Strange knowing there was no physical cable connection between me on the throttle and the EFI throttle body. It did work though, and this was an early version. Me myself, I have no problem with mechanical tech and actually prefer it. But I will admit those electric brakes are pretty cool!
Yup, but all the car manufacturers are looking at steer by wire, which is arguably even worse.
Not that I'm aware of, but let's not forget most passenger airliners have no physical force connection between the pilots controls and the ailerons.
I believe the newer Toyota Hybrids (like my '23 Toyota Crown) sort of have "brake by wire". The brake pedal actuator is electronic and sends signals to the computer which can then electrically control the combination of regenerative braking from the electric drive motors (turned into generators) and the conventional hydraulic brakes. There is of course a "fail over" so the pedal can mechanically actuate the hydraulic system in case of failure in the electronics. Here is a video that explains the system:
it depends on your brakes. good hydraulic yo can feel a lot.
You can probably feel it more with mechanical brakes, but what is it you're feeling? What tells you you're applying too much, or not enough, brake? I could be wrong, but I think it has little to do with what you're feeling with your hands or fingers. I think it's much more about the change of inertia (how much you feel like you're getting lifted out of the saddle, and what your eyes tell you about whether you're going stop in time or run over the little ol' lady in the crosswalk. If you don't think you're going to stop in time, then you brain tells your fingers to squeeze harder.
no hydraulic brakes are know for their modulation. you dont have al that housing and slop thats involved in mechanical brakes. plus the calipers squeeze both sides so you dont have the bending of the rotor involved. .its a combo of both going on.
This is not correct at all. There are mechanical brakes that squeeze both sides, like the TRP Spyre. There are also excellent high performance mechanical brakes that just work on one side and don't bend the rotors. And good mechanical disk brakes have plenty of modulation.
the spyre is the only mechanical that does and its very expensive. all other mechanical only have one moving piston so they have to bend the rotor at least a little and yes I have used high quality mechanical. but they dont feel nearly as good as my 4 piston Shimano brakes. Plus I can get full power using only using one finger thats a very nice feel. you don't have all the resistance from the spring and cable.
