Joined: 16 Mar 2014Posts: 325Location: Trying to Locate... Hold On...
My bike is already setup for disk brakes and has got disc brake mounts and disc hubs.
So, I'm thinking about upgrading and need some pointers.
Which disk brakes do I go for and where should I buy them?
Mechanical or Hydraulic?
Should I try installing myself or go to a bike shop or buy someone a 6 pack to help me install them?
How much would the upgrade cost?
very easy to install yourself. i bought mine on amazon. you may want someone to help you fine tune them and seat them correctly, but once someone shows you how to do that, you'll be well on your way to adjusting and fixing them yourself forever.
but that's one mans opinion. other people are better mechanics than me :)
jimmythefly
Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 3:19 pm
Joined: 10 Jan 2007Posts: 1491
Shimano hydraulics. Figure about $50-$65 per wheel.
Chainreactioncycles has a bunch of options, though their website is acting glitchy at the moment for me. Ebay ahs some options too.
Disc brakes have a bunch of different options/configurations depending on your frame and hubs. Make sure when shopping online you know what is or is not included in whatever kit you get. Before ordering you should confirm:
1. If you need 6-bolt or Centerlock rotors (determined by your hubs)
2. What kind of mounting tabs you have on your frame: International Standard (I.S.) or Post-mount. Some calipers come right out of the box ready to bolt on to one of these mount types, some need separate adapters purchased, some come with adapters included. Note adapters are specific to both frame tab style AND to rotor size.
3. For hydraulic brakes you will probably buy them as as a set with lever+hose+caliper already all hooked to each other and ready to go. But you will need to pay attention as most are set up right lever-rear brake, left lever front brake, but not all are you can sometimes order them to your preference.
4. You will want to go with 160mm rotor size front and rear.
For Example:
My mountain bike has a fork with post-mount tabs and the frame has IS tabs. In the front I have a lever+hose+caliper+adapter for post-mount 185mm rotor (which is what rotor size I have in the front).
In the rear I have lever+hose+caliper+adapter for IS-mount 160mm rotor size.
karadactyl
Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 3:39 pm
Joined: 06 Sep 2013Posts: 366
+1 for bb7's. Easier adjustability than bb5's.
-1 for hydraulics. I just don't like dealing with excess fluids if I don't have to. Seems like more work. But I've never had hydraulic disc brakes, so maybe they're better? All I know is that for commuting + light touring, MY OPINION (not a fact) is that discs > rim brakes every time.
I think the best bet when you are doing something new to your bike is to show up with a 6 pack after hours and pay attention while the mechanic does the thing. I like in person demos better than YouTube videos, but those work too.
rob
Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 3:46 pm
Joined: 28 Jul 2007Posts: 1315Location: Columbia City
Disc brakes sound complicated. Daniel Featherhead won Professor Dave's Taco Truck Time Trial in 2008 on a brakeless fixed gear. On the really steep descents, he would wedge his shoe between the rear wheel and the seat stays for extra braking power. A simple, elegant solution. I think we could all learn a few things from Brother Featherhead.
J_Dada
Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 4:11 pm
Down 2 FUNKJoined: 14 Oct 2012Posts: 1274
I've never touched the road version, but BB7s are so simple even I can set them up on a mountain bike.
Hydro brakes feel really nice and you never have to worry about cable stretch, but set up and maintenance is a little more complicated and requires specialized tools.
Featherhead is the Bill Brasky of bikes.
joeball
Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 4:44 pm
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 6037Location: Ether
Avid BB7 mtb are great. Will be fine for a flat bar touring bike. Price point has been the cheapest place to buy them for a long time. Don't bother with used. New pads and rotors are worth it.
Also I can help you install them (after Ben country) order Avid Flak jacket, compressionless brake cable/housing set
langston
Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 4:49 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 5547Location: Columbia City
no tech piling on: I love my stock hydrolic brakes on my 29er. Even as low-end as they are, I've never had to do anything but change out padsas they wore, and they always stop like whoah. My next road bike will have hydro discs.
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jimmythefly
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 7:09 am
Joined: 10 Jan 2007Posts: 1491
I've owned and used both.
Hydraulics will come pre-bled and assembled, you will not need to mess with any hoses or fluids.
You will however likely need to bleed them and mess with fluids a bit when you wear out a set of pads and have to install new ones. This is not difficult and unless you seriously ride your brakes it happens very infrequently -roughly as often as you go through normal rim brake pads, maybe. Seriously this isn't even a thing I barely have to touch mine ever.
Hydraulics self-adjust for pad wear, you will not constantly be fiddling with them to get pad clearance right.
Hydraulics work fantastic.
Awesome Shimano hydros are about the same price or cheaper than BB7s.
Mechanicals will require cabling/housing.
Mechanicals often require fiddling/adjustment to get pad clearance right. This is not a huge deal depending on set up and if you have barrel adjusters, but it can get annoying.
Mechanicals are very easy to replace pads when the time comes.
Mechanicals work pretty damn well too. Just not as good as hydro.
Mechanicals will work with your existing brake levers.
One last consideration is lever shape and hose/cable exit. Because the levers are made to go on normal MTB bars but you have those trekking butterfly bars you might want to look closely at especially the hydro levers and how long they are and where the hose comes out of them.
I've never been stranded with either type, and I've wrecked HARD on both.
Rogelio
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 10:29 am
Joined: 31 Jul 2007Posts: 3092Location: Pos, aya, por la Corona-Alta-Madera y que no.
jimmythefly wrote:
Hydraulics self-adjust for pad wear, you will not constantly be fiddling with them to get pad clearance right.
Awesome Shimano hydros are about the same price or cheaper than BB7s.
These are the primary reasons I've been looking at getting hydraulics for my next project bike.
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Alex
Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 2:59 pm
Joined: 18 May 2006Posts: 3128Location: Roosevelt
I wouldn't put BB7s on a flat bar bike. The Shimano hydros are much better. I like that they just work and I never really bother touching them. Bleeding hydros is about the same amount of work as replacing a brake cable, maybe less since there is less to adjust.
I'm curious to know which ones Jimmy likes for about $60/wheel.
I haven't had good luck with the BB7 Roads, I've had better luck using them with the Tektro V-brake compatible drop bar levers. That is the setup that is currently on my (rarely used) tandem and it works well.
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