BristolScouse
Regular
- Location
- Bristol, UK
Is it possible to upgrade the braking system on a Giant TCX1 from the block brakes to disc without too much expense or hassle?
Brake upgrades
- Thread starter BristolScouse
- Start date
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simon.r
Person
- Location
- Nottingham
Do the frame and fork have disc mounts? Looking at a photo on the web it doesn't look as if they do. If that is the case, the short answer to your question is 'No'.
OP
OP
BristolScouse
Regular
- Location
- Bristol, UK
great 
i'll have to look into that. if they do tho, is it an expensive transition?
i'll have to look into that. if they do tho, is it an expensive transition?
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
The bike doesn't have disc mounts, so without some hefty engineering mods it's a none starter.
Even so, then you'd a need a full braking system of your choice, (calipers, levers, discs, cables/hoses depending if mechanical or hydraulic), and you'd also need new wheels, or to have your wheels rebuilt with disc specific hubs.
Put it this way, it wouldn't be cheap even if the bike did have disc mounts.
Even so, then you'd a need a full braking system of your choice, (calipers, levers, discs, cables/hoses depending if mechanical or hydraulic), and you'd also need new wheels, or to have your wheels rebuilt with disc specific hubs.
Put it this way, it wouldn't be cheap even if the bike did have disc mounts.
simon.r
Person
- Location
- Nottingham
great
You'll need new hubs and a wheel rebuild (or new wheels), calipers, rotors and cables. Waves finger in the air...£300 to how much do you want to spend? That's for mechanical discs, hydraulic gets awkward.
If you really wanted disc brakes, you could fit a front disc brake by buying a new fork with the correct mounts, along with a new wheel and disc brake system. This will be expensive, and some people believe it puts forces on the frame that it wasn't designed for.
Fitting disc mounts to the rear isn't really possible unless the frame is steel, and even then you'll have to find a good frame builder who will do it for you, and you'll likely need a respray.
Fitting disc mounts to the rear isn't really possible unless the frame is steel, and even then you'll have to find a good frame builder who will do it for you, and you'll likely need a respray.
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
Have you got this bike yet? I've had a quick mooch at your postings but can't decide TBH.
If not there are loads of other bike options that do have discs, THIS for example and it's far bit cheaper too.
Or THIS is in the same price range as the Giant, and Tricross always seems to be well reviewed.
There are loads to go at, just look at Evans for a start to see your options. That last link is filtered by mechanical discs as well for you
If not there are loads of other bike options that do have discs, THIS for example and it's far bit cheaper too.
Or THIS is in the same price range as the Giant, and Tricross always seems to be well reviewed.
There are loads to go at, just look at Evans for a start to see your options. That last link is filtered by mechanical discs as well for you
- Location
- The TerrorVortex
If you're trying to improve brakes, the answer is almost always Koolstop Salmon pads.
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
+1, but also correct set up as well makes a tremendous difference IME.
- Location
- The TerrorVortex
Well, yes. That too! 
- Location
- Somewhere wet & hilly in NW England.
I have a TCX1 and discs at the back are a non-starter.
You could always leave the rear as it is and get a new fork and disk set-up at the front.
You could always leave the rear as it is and get a new fork and disk set-up at the front.
subaqua
What’s the point
- Location
- Leytonstone
if you wanted hyraulic rim brakes you could change the V brakes to Magura hydraulics . dunno about cost but the faff time in setting them up is about an hour . I like them others don't
OP
OP
BristolScouse
Regular
- Location
- Bristol, UK
No not yet. Ive got my arm in a cast atm. As soon as its off im getting measured up then making the final decision. tbh i cant make a a decision between the Boardman (cant stand Halfords and i know if i get any problems with frame or forks im gunna have to wait an enternity to get it replaced) or the Gaint TCX1 or Gaint Escape RX disc. Im a big fan of disc breaks, but also like the TCX1 because it light and has the dummy brakes on the straight part of handle bars. My riding is probably 90-95% road and the rest cycle paths (mainly the Strawberry Line) If youve any suggestions they would be appreciatedHave you got this bike yet? I've had a quick mooch at your postings but can't decide TBH.
If not there are loads of other bike options that do have discs, THIS for example and it's far bit cheaper too.
Or THIS is in the same price range as the Giant, and Tricross always seems to be well reviewed.
There are loads to go at, just look at Evans for a start to see your options. That last link is filtered by mechanical discs as well for you
Mr Haematocrit
msg me on kik for android
- Location
- Out of the saddle
If your riding 90 - 95% road I would consider normal rim brakes, as they are lighter, easier to maintain and up to the job. At no point have I ever felt I needed stronger brakes. For what reason are you a fan of disc brakes?
