Disc brake upgrade (Avid BB5)

[Johnno260]

ok cheers guys, more food for thought.

 

[Andy_R]

Im not sure why everyone is recommending mechanical Discs.
Hydraulic brakes are really fit and forget. Didn't have to adjust my XTR´s in 2 years I have been running them.
Hydro brakes also offer you better modulation and less required effort for braking.
You can get decent brand new Shimano Hydro`s M315 for 39.57£ for front and rear.
+ 7.60£ for shipping
https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/search/find/?q=m315

Im from Germany so in a UK shop you might find cheaper alternatives as you can save on shipping charges.

Not in my experience. Good twin pot mechanical brakes like the TRP ones are just as effective, and have great modulation. As for effort, you have a big lever pulling a little lever, in much the same way you have a larger piston moving a smaller one, so no real difference in "effort".

I've gone from hydro to mechanical for one reason - the ability to fix on the fly. Having had a rear hydro hose get snagged and pulled free from the caliper on a longish ride (Seahouses to Melrose), I was just a tad annoyed at only having my front brake.

This however is my own opinion and experience!

 

[Johnno260]

Not in my experience. Good twin pot mechanical brakes like the TPR ones are just as effective, and have great modulation. As for effort, you have a big lever pulling a little lever, in much the same way you have a larger piston moving a smaller one, so no real difference in "effort".

I've gone from hydro to mechanical for one reason - the ability to fix on the fly. Having had a rear hydro hose get snagged and pulled free from the caliper on a longish ride (Seahouses to Melrose), I was just a tad annoyed at only having my front brake.

This however is my own opinion and experience!

Cheers for this reply that's something else for me to decide upon.

I really think I am leaning to the TPR calipers.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Not in my experience. Good twin pot mechanical brakes like the TRP ones are just as effective, and have great modulation. As for effort, you have a big lever pulling a little lever, in much the same way you have a larger piston moving a smaller one, so no real difference in "effort".

I've gone from hydro to mechanical for one reason - the ability to fix on the fly. Having had a rear hydro hose get snagged and pulled free from the caliper on a longish ride (Seahouses to Melrose), I was just a tad annoyed at only having my front brake.

This however is my own opinion and experience!

You can't use "great modulation" and "cable" in the same sentence. If there is a cable in the link, the modulation is inevitably poorer than with pure hydraulic. A hybrid system is an Elastoplast. Effort is a function of mechanical advantage and friction. With hydraulic, the frictional element is removed. With cable, especially as it ages and in the rear where it is longer, friction is significant and annoying.

Great brakes are not all about stopping. There's also cost, maintenance, feel and fiddlyness that comes into play.

 

[Johnno260]

oh wow the TRP's are fitted and what a difference! Also my wheels are spinning better as the BB5's just were constantly rubbing and squealing.

Thanks for help and advise everyone, also big thanks to my LBS for sorting me out again! Am I allowed to give the shop a shout out on the forums?

 

[vickster]

oh wow the TRP's are fitted and what a difference! Also my wheels are spinning better as the BB5's just were constantly rubbing and squealing.

Thanks for help and advise everyone, also big thanks to my LBS for sorting me out again! Am I allowed to give the shop a shout out on the forums?

Yes do so. Good service deserves praise

 

[Johnno260]

Cool cheers @vickster

The shops Propel bikes in Uckfield East Sussex I can't recommend them enough.