Types of brakes and their advantages?

Single pivot caliper brakes are not very effective and when combined with steel rims are even less so. Dual pivot calipers give you more stopping power and are small and lite. V brakes are able to handle a much larger pad and long brake arms provide plenty of leverage. The disadvantage is the size and weight and the mounts needed on the seat stays. Caliper brakes only need a hole in the frame. V brakes allow a lot more clearance for larger tires that may pick up mud.

http://bicycletutor.com/part/brake/

Well... no.

Most road bikes have single-pivot brakes, and most mountain bikes have disc brakes. It's simply because of their respective environments. Single-pivot brakes are lightweight, but don't handle mud or crud well. Disc brakes are great for long descents that require heat dissipation and mud/water tolerance, but they're a lot heavier.

And the caliper is a part of the brake system, not any type of brake in particular.

well

the 'advantage' to most brakes is, they are already on whatever kind of frame/bike you have

changing would be too hard

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maybe your real question is: why do mt and road bikes usually have the brakes they do?

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wle