Improving Cable Disc Brakes
Discussion
I have a MTB with shimano MR-M475 disc brakes, now I know disc brakes have moved on compared to what I have but I am not willing to invest in hydraulic or Avid's 7's to improve the breaking performance yet and wanted to know if changing pads or rotors would help improve performance, everything that is on the bike is as per when I bought back in 2005, the bike is a Specialised Hardrock Pro 2004 for reference.
Any reasonable suggestions appreciated.
Any reasonable suggestions appreciated.
Other than throwing them out?
I know you've said you're not willing to upgrade to hydro's, but given the price of pads and rotors these days, and the bargain's Merlin have from time to on sets it's might be cheaper to just get a set of Juicy 3/5's or the like.
Even the most basic of Hyro's will be better than 5 year old cable disks.
I know you've said you're not willing to upgrade to hydro's, but given the price of pads and rotors these days, and the bargain's Merlin have from time to on sets it's might be cheaper to just get a set of Juicy 3/5's or the like.
Even the most basic of Hyro's will be better than 5 year old cable disks.
New discs, pads, and cables are the options. However, that would be pretty expensive for little improvement TBH. Either swap for some decent V Brakes (Avids are very good and light) or bite the bullet and go hydraulic. Personally on that bike I'd fit V brakes. I have them on a winter bike, and am just as able to stop as the lads I pedal with who have discs fitted. It also helps on the ups as they're a chunk lighter too.
Discs are really only a benefit if you use your bike on some long descents. To put this into context, I've owned C2s, 6 pot Ti, M4, Julies, Gustav M, and used several Avids, so I'm not just saying that because I don't own any disc brakes. IMHO v brakes are more than adequate for 90% of UK XC routes.
Discs are really only a benefit if you use your bike on some long descents. To put this into context, I've owned C2s, 6 pot Ti, M4, Julies, Gustav M, and used several Avids, so I'm not just saying that because I don't own any disc brakes. IMHO v brakes are more than adequate for 90% of UK XC routes.
pdV6 said:
rhinochopig said:
Discs are really only a benefit if you use your bike on some long descents.
...or ride in a climate that regularly throws wet / muddy trails at you.Never had problem with stopping, even on stuff steep enough to not be able to walk down. The pads do wear quite quickly in these conditions, but they are good enough to not need discs on my XC bike. DH / All mountain type stuff, yes you do, but general XC on a hardtail not IMO. Think back a few years and the DH lads were running Vs and elastomer forks in all weathers and were still able to stop.
For the majority of UK single-track XC riding, Vs are sufficient.
rhinochopig said:
pdV6 said:
rhinochopig said:
Discs are really only a benefit if you use your bike on some long descents.
...or ride in a climate that regularly throws wet / muddy trails at you.Never had problem with stopping, even on stuff steep enough to not be able to walk down. The pads do wear quite quickly in these conditions, but they are good enough to not need discs on my XC bike. DH / All mountain type stuff, yes you do, but general XC on a hardtail not IMO. Think back a few years and the DH lads were running Vs and elastomer forks in all weathers and were still able to stop.
For the majority of UK single-track XC riding, Vs are sufficient.
The Walrus said:
May try a v brake set up rhinopig as I don't really want to spend more than £50.00 to improve the braking, hydro's I can not been bothered with as all the faffing about bleeding them and system maintenance is far too much work for my liking.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=22386 £25 for a set (out of stock at the moment). Before you buy a set of V brakes, check whether your cables and levers are compatible with V brakes.
rhinochopig said:
The Walrus said:
May try a v brake set up rhinopig as I don't really want to spend more than £50.00 to improve the braking, hydro's I can not been bothered with as all the faffing about bleeding them and system maintenance is far too much work for my liking.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=22386 £25 for a set (out of stock at the moment). Before you buy a set of V brakes, check whether your cables and levers are compatible with V brakes.
The Walrus said:
May try a v brake set up rhinopig as I don't really want to spend more than £50.00 to improve the braking, hydro's I can not been bothered with as all the faffing about bleeding them and system maintenance is far too much work for my liking.
Ridiculous.Hydros are basically no maintenance once they're bolted on, which requires a 4mm and 5mm allen key and a t25 torx bit for most brakes. Just brake pads once every three years.
You can get Avid Juicys for £60 each end or thereabouts. Buy a front and when the next pay cheque comes in buy a rear.
You'd seriously rather use V brakes than discs?!
shalmaneser said:
Just brake pads once every three years.
:O I must be doing something wrong then 
I've used a few mechanical disk brakes and they just dont have the feel or modularity hydro brakes give, guess they stop you OK if you pull them hard enough but with hydro you can one finger brake as hard as you need to , much better for control.
The Walrus said:
May try a v brake set up rhinopig as I don't really want to spend more than £50.00 to improve the braking, hydro's I can not been bothered with as all the faffing about bleeding them and system maintenance is far too much work for my liking.
As mentioned, hydraulic disc brakes require virtually no maintenance at all. If you spunk money on V brakes you'll save a small amount and still have brakes that aren't very good in anything but ideal conditions. And that's only if they're set up perfectly.In that case I will wait and get the hydro's as the current set up will do, it is not as if I am doing any down hill etc it was more for my weekend rides where I found the mech disc brakes very poor in slowing me down when I was pushing on in the down hill sections of my route.
Money is not a problem I just did not want to spend any more on my bike at this point in time as I had been getting carried away with things like new helmet, bib shorts and tights, sun glasses tops tyres etc etc.
Money is not a problem I just did not want to spend any more on my bike at this point in time as I had been getting carried away with things like new helmet, bib shorts and tights, sun glasses tops tyres etc etc.
RobDickinson said:
shalmaneser said:
Just brake pads once every three years.
:O I must be doing something wrong then I've used a few mechanical disk brakes and they just dont have the feel or modularity hydro brakes give, guess they stop you OK if you pull them hard enough but with hydro you can one finger brake as hard as you need to , much better for control.
Cheeky git I don't ride anywhere near as much as I do now but used to enjoy if that is the right word riding some of the old Tour De France stages on my road bike but after I found beer and women I decreased the majority of my cycling, I will never forget coming into a hairpin at speed hard on the brakes and hearing the pop of the front tyre through heat build up nad the full length scab I had down my right side, makes me flinch speaking about it now
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