These 'ere disc brakes
Discussion
I was wondering what it would cost to change my front V-brake to a disc brake.
So far I'm thinking:
New wheel (not worth changing the hub as the current wheel is only a cheapy)
Caliper
Disc
Pipes
Lever (including gearshift)
So what would that lot cost then? And would I get much improvement over the V-brake that I have?
So far I'm thinking:
New wheel (not worth changing the hub as the current wheel is only a cheapy)
Caliper
Disc
Pipes
Lever (including gearshift)
So what would that lot cost then? And would I get much improvement over the V-brake that I have?
Edited by Parrot of Doom on Thursday 10th August 19:31
Can be expensive depending on wat quality you go for, but ultimatley you are right in your estimation of parts.
I'd personally recommend Hayes Discs, as I've only ever ad a good experience with them. I've never used Shimano, but I hear that any of their hydrulic range rocks - XTR looks flipping sexy!
In return you'll et stunning power, modulation and reliability.
Do it, you'll not be sorry. Also if you have vertical dropouts on the rear of your frame, you'll be able to et an adaptor to allow you to use discs.
Hope that helps
I'd personally recommend Hayes Discs, as I've only ever ad a good experience with them. I've never used Shimano, but I hear that any of their hydrulic range rocks - XTR looks flipping sexy!
In return you'll et stunning power, modulation and reliability.
Do it, you'll not be sorry. Also if you have vertical dropouts on the rear of your frame, you'll be able to et an adaptor to allow you to use discs.
Hope that helps
I converted my front brakes from v to disc.
I use Shimano deore 555 disc brakes which are excellent ..... cost £50 for a front set - including pads , disc , and everything. The 555's are significantly lighter than the other Deore brakes fitted to off-the-peg bikes.
I needed to buy a new front wheel anyway as the old one's rim had virtually worn through from v-brake pad scouring.
Cost of the Mavic wheel was £50 with an excellent Hope hub..... you could get a cheaper one for £40 or under with a Shimano disc hub.
I use Shimano deore 555 disc brakes which are excellent ..... cost £50 for a front set - including pads , disc , and everything. The 555's are significantly lighter than the other Deore brakes fitted to off-the-peg bikes.
I needed to buy a new front wheel anyway as the old one's rim had virtually worn through from v-brake pad scouring.
Cost of the Mavic wheel was £50 with an excellent Hope hub..... you could get a cheaper one for £40 or under with a Shimano disc hub.
Parrot of Doom said:
I was wondering what it would cost to change my front V-brake to a disc brake.
So far I'm thinking:
New wheel (not worth changing the hub as the current wheel is only a cheapy)
yes, and unless your hub is disc compatable - ie it has bolt holes for the disc, or one of shimanos disc fittings then you'll need to change the hub anyway be possibly cheaper to get a new wheel anyway.
Caliper
Disc
Pipes
Lever (including gearshift)
caliper, disc, pipes and lever are a package for hydralics - some cable discs like the Avid Mechanical (the only mechanical disc worth having) are just the caliper, but work with a V Brake
So what would that lot cost then? And would I get much improvement over the V-brake that I have?
So far I'm thinking:
New wheel (not worth changing the hub as the current wheel is only a cheapy)
yes, and unless your hub is disc compatable - ie it has bolt holes for the disc, or one of shimanos disc fittings then you'll need to change the hub anyway be possibly cheaper to get a new wheel anyway.
Caliper
Disc
Pipes
Lever (including gearshift)
caliper, disc, pipes and lever are a package for hydralics - some cable discs like the Avid Mechanical (the only mechanical disc worth having) are just the caliper, but work with a V Brake
So what would that lot cost then? And would I get much improvement over the V-brake that I have?
Edited by Parrot of Doom on Thursday 10th August 19:31
on the wheel front - Merlin Cycles: www.merlincycles.co.uk excellent wheel builder in leyland, and do a mail order service, Lady S got her wheels from them - and they are still running true 3 years later, couldnt beat them on price, or I build your wheels for you
i'm still riding on the ones i built 3 years ago - tho i wont be cheap as i'll have to buy everything retail tho first point to mention - are your forks disc compatable? and if they have disc mounts are they IS or Hayes mounts? to tell teh difference, IS mounts are 2 holes that are inline with the hub axle, hayes mounts are 2 screw holes that point backwards.
Assuming you have mounts then the cheapest option i reckon, since you say you'll need to change gear levers as well if you change the brake lever is to go for the avid mechs £72 here: www.wildside-online.co.uk/posit/shop/index.php?selectedpartno=765250741157
If you want to see what avids are like, i'm up in rossendale - i would say they are a match for any hydralic single piston disc brake on the market - and are as good as the Hope mono M4s on my bike.
lord summerisle said:
Parrot of Doom said:
I was wondering what it would cost to change my front V-brake to a disc brake.
So far I'm thinking:
New wheel (not worth changing the hub as the current wheel is only a cheapy)
yes, and unless your hub is disc compatable - ie it has bolt holes for the disc, or one of shimanos disc fittings then you'll need to change the hub anyway be possibly cheaper to get a new wheel anyway.
Caliper
Disc
Pipes
Lever (including gearshift)
caliper, disc, pipes and lever are a package for hydralics - some cable discs like the Avid Mechanical (the only mechanical disc worth having) are just the caliper, but work with a V Brake
So what would that lot cost then? And would I get much improvement over the V-brake that I have?
So far I'm thinking:
New wheel (not worth changing the hub as the current wheel is only a cheapy)
yes, and unless your hub is disc compatable - ie it has bolt holes for the disc, or one of shimanos disc fittings then you'll need to change the hub anyway be possibly cheaper to get a new wheel anyway.
Caliper
Disc
Pipes
Lever (including gearshift)
caliper, disc, pipes and lever are a package for hydralics - some cable discs like the Avid Mechanical (the only mechanical disc worth having) are just the caliper, but work with a V Brake
So what would that lot cost then? And would I get much improvement over the V-brake that I have?
Edited by Parrot of Doom on Thursday 10th August 19:31
on the wheel front - Merlin Cycles: www.merlincycles.co.uk excellent wheel builder in leyland, and do a mail order service, Lady S got her wheels from them - and they are still running true 3 years later, couldnt beat them on price, or I build your wheels for you
i'm still riding on the ones i built 3 years ago - tho i wont be cheap as i'll have to buy everything retail tho first point to mention - are your forks disc compatable? and if they have disc mounts are they IS or Hayes mounts? to tell teh difference, IS mounts are 2 holes that are inline with the hub axle, hayes mounts are 2 screw holes that point backwards.
Assuming you have mounts then the cheapest option i reckon, since you say you'll need to change gear levers as well if you change the brake lever is to go for the avid mechs £72 here: www.wildside-online.co.uk/posit/shop/index.php?selectedpartno=765250741157
If you want to see what avids are like, i'm up in rossendale - i would say they are a match for any hydralic single piston disc brake on the market - and are as good as the Hope mono M4s on my bike.
I've got a set of Avid Juicy Sevens on my new Stumpjumper aka 'Stuntjumper', and they really do rock. I used to use Hayes FX9's on my Kona Cinder Cone, but these Avids really do piss on them when it comes to feel and performance.
I've finally got them bedded in and coming to a stop in about 10m from about 30mph was very impressive. Felt like my eyes were going to pop out! Seriously good. I can't imagine what the Juicy Nines are like!
But from my experiences with the Avids so far, I recommend them. Keep in mind i've got an 8 inch rotor on the front which improves braking no end so you need to decide this too and make sure your existing forks are up to it.
I was told my old Mazzorchis would have disentigrated with 8" rotors hence the reason why I never upgraded!!!!
With regards to the mechanical brakes. They're easier to maintain but not a chance against a good hydraulic. You can achieve much better contact with hydraulics plus the power can be better controlled. On top of that, mechanicals tend to fade a lot with mud.
You also have to keep in mind that Hope Minis used to be the best and are no longer that as they've not updated their designs and fallen back a little. They've been surpassed by newer technology from other manufacturers.
Edited by beanbag on Thursday 10th August 22:46
beanbag said:
I was told my old Mazzorchis would have disentigrated with 8" rotors hence the reason why I never upgraded!!!!
With regards to the mechanical brakes. They're easier to maintain but not a chance against a good hydraulic. You can achieve much better contact with hydraulics plus the power can be better controlled. On top of that, mechanicals tend to fade a lot with mud.
You also have to keep in mind that Hope Minis used to be the best and are no longer that as they've not updated their designs and fallen back a little. They've been surpassed by newer technology from other manufacturers.
Edited by beanbag on Thursday 10th August 22:46
aye - when i specced up my bike - Pace said their forks would only really rated for 180mm discs - tho that might have increased since '04 but then 4pot hyrdos on 180mm disc do me just fine.
Like i said - Avid mech's are in a different league to any other mechanical disc brake - tho they are similar priced to other hydro brakes. yes they are going to loose out to the multi piston brakes - but then they are a cheaper option if you dont want to have to mess around changing gear levers as well.
Im still running a fairly early Hope cable operated disk on the front with an avid lever, using a hub, in fact its still on the original pads !!!! and i put it on the bike when i built in in 92 !!!! on the rear I've got a magura hydralic canti and i prefer the disk although i should think both have vome on a long way since i bought them..
If i was speccing a bike up now I'd go hope brakes and hubs all round.
G
If i was speccing a bike up now I'd go hope brakes and hubs all round.
G
Parrot of Doom said:
lord summerisle said:
hayes mounts are 2 screw holes that point backwards.
Hayes on mine
Just idle curiosity really, that and I quite like the fact that on disc brakes, the rims don't turn silver
Looks cooler Also makes less noise in the winter right - in that case - hayes and avid mechs (and probly juicy's) will bolt straight on - others like hope - you either ask for the hayes mount - or i think you can get an adaptor to change from hayes to IS - wich basically opens up all options, just some thing to remember when ordering to ask for
lord summerisle said:
Phil Hopkins said:
I use Hope M4s front and rear. They work like an absolute charm!
If you havent already - get a set of Goodridge hoses for em - improves the braking no end!
seconded i have goodridge hoses on my hopes and they do make a huge difference well worth the money.
Iv been running hopes for about 5-6 years and they have been great i still have a bike with 'V' brakes on them and the difference is unbelievable its well worth the upgrade if your bike has the correct mounts
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