Cable disc brakes - any good?

[TedMaul]

Kids, work and house moves mean I have not been riding for over a year, but with Maul Jr getting is first bike for his imminent birthday, I decided to give the Marin the once over. My Hope xc4s were in bad shape when I last used it, but they are now shot to pieces - at 6 years old, they are due for replacement anyway.

Not wanting to spend a fortune and wanting something simple to maintain, I thought about cable disk brakes, have these come on in the last few years, or are they still way behind hydraulics? If so, can anyone recommend something low maint and cheapish (less than 150 quid for front and rear). Will be just cross country and need to fit 2002 Mount Vision (think front forks are post mount (Manitou Mars)

[craig_s]

I've just upgraded my cable discs to these. A pretty good deal for £100 and are a lot better than cable ones. It's mostly XC riding I've been doing with them and they are spot on.

[Beyond Rational]

If you don't already have cable levers, factor in that cost as well. Deore or that previously linked LX set of discs offer very good value versus performance. Out of interest, what exactly is wrong with the Hopes?

[clonmult]

I've got cable operated discs on my Trek 7.3. Obviously not got the stopping power of hydraulics, but still hugely better than the old bit of rubber on the rim.

Just be careful to never get any oil near the discs, or your brakes will be useless .....

[TedMaul]

Beyond Rational said:

If you don't already have cable levers, factor in that cost as well. Deore or that previously linked LX set of discs offer very good value versus performance. Out of interest, what exactly is wrong with the Hopes?

Both seem to be pretty well regarded and a decent price too.

Not had time to have a proper look, but rear is seized and front is very, very spongey with no power. Suspect being stagnant for a long time won't have helped them and perhaps a full bleed and service might cure them. Rear brake was not working well for some time, even new pads and a complete bleed left them with less stopping power than a v-brake and that was at least 14-15 months ago. I work pretty near Evans Cycles in Castleford so may drop the bike off there for a proper brake service and overhaul. I simply don't have the time to do it properly myself right now (

[Mr E]

I disliked my cable discs. They felt worse than decent cantis, and a million miles from the hydros I replaced them with.

If you want levers and calipers you're welcome to them.

[mk1fan]

The only cable dics worth considering - imo - are Avid's BB-7's. They are better than a lot of hydraulic systems. However hydraulic systems are cheaper and better than ever - performance wise. I'd hunt out a set of Shimano SLX (model number M665), Chainreaction are doing them for £160 a pair at the moment and there is a steady supply on e-Bay too.

ETA: Then flog the Hopes as Spares or repairs on e-Bay or on Singletrack World. the swap will then end up costing less money than getting Evans to do the work.

Edited by mk1fan on Monday 27th April 13:22

[snotrag]

Why not get the hopes working again? New seal kit, strip down and service, new olives, and a fresh bleed and they'll be like new brakes.


If not, I might buy them...

[TedMaul]

snotrag said:

Why not get the hopes working again? New seal kit, strip down and service, new olives, and a fresh bleed and they'll be like new brakes.


If not, I might buy them...

Coincedentally, they have just started a 'Bike Mechanic' service at one of our offices, whereby a bike mechanic from a local shop (for local people) pops in once a month to do minor repairs. I've just dropped them an email to see if they can bring them back to life before I invest in anything new and flog the old ones for spares. rather fortunate, hope they can fix them up as I really don't have the will to do it myself ontop all the other cack that needs doing right now. Just want to get out and ride

[anonymous-user]

personally i would get a set of xt v brakes which will be far better than cable discs. sure when its wet and muddy they lose a lot of their power but how often will you really, really, be riding in the wet and muddy conditions....

[mk1fan]

pablo said:

personally i would get a set of xt v brakes which will be far better than cable discs. sure when its wet and muddy they lose a lot of their power but how often will you really, really, be riding in the wet and muddy conditions....

[mk1fan]

pablo said:

personally i would get a set of xt v brakes which will be far better than cable discs. sure when its wet and muddy they lose a lot of their power but how often will you really, really, be riding in the wet and muddy conditions....

[Beyond Rational]

pablo said:

personally i would get a set of xt v brakes which will be far better than cable discs. sure when its wet and muddy they lose a lot of their power but how often will you really, really, be riding in the wet and muddy conditions....

The original poster said his bike was from 2002, not that he wanted advice from back then! Assuming he still has rims with a braking surface?

Hayes HFX nines or Deores only a few quid more than XT v's

Think I'd be looking at the Hope service myself.

[TedMaul]

pablo said:

personally i would get a set of xt v brakes which will be far better than cable discs. sure when its wet and muddy they lose a lot of their power but how often will you really, really, be riding in the wet and muddy conditions....

Well I live about 300 yards from the Trans Penine Trail, via Wharnecliffe Woods. I also ride in Beeley Woods, so the answer is very, very often! Ruined far, far too many rims to ever go back to v brakes!

[Parrot of Doom]

I would remove the Hope kit and send it back to them. Hope's customer service is excellent.

[pdV6]

pablo said:

personally i would get a set of xt v brakes which will be far better than cable discs. sure when its wet and muddy they lose a lot of their power but how often will you really, really, be riding in the wet and muddy conditions....

Are you based in the UK?

[neil_bolton]

pdV6 said:

pablo said:

personally i would get a set of xt v brakes which will be far better than cable discs. sure when its wet and muddy they lose a lot of their power but how often will you really, really, be riding in the wet and muddy conditions....

Are you based in the UK?

Hang on.

No,

[Mr Scruff]

Parrot of Doom said:

I would remove the Hope kit and send it back to them. Hope's customer service is excellent.

Hmm.

Apologies for the thread divery but I've got an old set of M4's in the shed which have seen better days. How cost effective is it to send them back to be repaired? The seals have gone in mine, around the caliper.

[mk1fan]

Phone Hope and ask. Might be an hours labour plus parts.

[Rico]

I've had quite a few pairs of the old Deores

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

Bloody brilliant for £50 an end.

£35 is the going rate on ebay for a brake... bargaintastic!