Disk brakes

[Inthecup]

I'm converting my mountain bike from V-brakes to disk brakes. I've got the brake levers, hydraulic cables & calipers - (all attached and bled). I've also got wheels suitable for disks & just ordered the disks.

Do I need an attachment to mount the calipers to the frame or do they just bolt on?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ianrauk]

You may need a disk specific frame with disk brake lugs like this

 

[Brandane]

I'm converting my mountain bike from V-brakes to disk brakes. I've got the brake levers, hydraulic cables & calipers - (all attached and bled). I've also got wheels suitable for disks & just ordered the disks.

Do I need an attachment to mount the calipers to the frame or do they just bolt on?

Thanks in advance.

Depends on what mounts are on your frame (at the rear) and fork (for the front). Some are post mount (threaded posts on the frame/fork), others are IS mount (the ones with holes in the frame).

I did the same job with a Trek 6500 MTB.. The front was easy as the fork had post mounts so the caliper bolted straight on.
The rear was slightly tricky as the frame has IS mounts but the caliper was designed for post mounts. I needed an adaptor but they are widely available. More information here.

 

[Inthecup]

Thanks. There are mounts on the frame. I'll wait until the disks arrive, get them fitted and see where I go from there.

Was going to throw it in to the LBS but quite enjoying tinkering with it!

 

[MrJamie]

I swapped mine from V to disc and found it pretty easy. You need a wheel that will fit a rotor and mounts for the caliper. New levers etc if going hydraulic.

It's one of those things that in my opinion is worth doing yourself, so that you can fix annoying rubbing noises and adjust new pads etc yourself.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

You'll probably need some adaptors to let the caliper sit at the right distance from the frame - like these http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=359

 

[Inthecup]

I swapped mine from V to disc and found it pretty easy. You need a wheel that will fit a rotor and mounts for the caliper. New levers etc if going hydraulic.

It's one of those things that in my opinion is worth doing yourself, so that you can fix annoying rubbing noises and adjust new pads etc yourself.

My old gear and brake levers were 1 piece. I cut everything away and mounted new hydraulic brakes and gear levers. Gear cable is on order as is rotors. Wheels suitable for rotors have also been installed.

The only bit I'm a little stuck at is mounting the calipers.

 

[Ian H]

I think everyone's assuming you have hubs that will accept discs.

 

[Inthecup]

Thanks for the replays.

Everything's good apart from caliper adaptors. Gear cable has been changed and running well.

Here's the problem. I have a 185 disk at the front & 160 at the back. Front is post mount and back I.S. The brakes / calipers are Avid Elixir 5. I can't for the life of me find suitable adaptors. I went to my local bike shop armed with pictures and sizes. They gave me Shimano adaptors that just didn't fit (after me asking if Shimano would fit Avid). The profile of the adaptor wouldn't fit over the caliper!

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I'm keen to carry this out myself but on the verge of handing it in to the shop!

The plan was to get it up and running. Do 50 miles or so until everything beds in then get it in for a service.

 

[Inthecup]

[QUOTE 2738754, member: 45"]You're better off with adaptors the same make as the caliper. I've had problems trying to mix and match before.[/quote]

I'm trying. A google search for Avid caliper mounts seems to come up with hee haw, unless I'm being daft!

 

[Cubist]

You need a 160 IS to PM R adapter. This one
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/avid-mount-adaptor-rear-is-160mm/rp-prod15031?_$ja=tsid:46412|cgn:Avid - Brake Spares|cn:Chain Reaction-UK-PLA-PLA-All-DT-SE|kw:64256UK_Avid Mount Adaptor Rear IS 160mm&gclid=CMCElcSIvboCFfMctAodZH4AIA
It fits a post mount caliper to an IS frame with a 160 rotor.

For the front you need a PM PM 180 F. The 185 is a bit of a problem, but you can always put a shim under the adapter. I'd look at Superstar components. If it doesn't fit you can send it back. As a final contingency you could always swap the rotor for a 160 and you won't need an adapter.
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=359

In fact, forget the shims, the Avid bolts come with those dished cup washers so you just need to make sure they are between the adapter and the fork mount

 

[Inthecup]

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/avid-cps-brake-mount/rp-prod75477?_$ja=tsid:46412|cgn:Avid - Brake Spares|cn:Chain Reaction-UK-PLA-PLA-All-DT-SE|kw:291143UK_Avid CPS Brake Mount&gclid=CIaPpYKIvboCFSrJtAod0moARg

So I need - 51mm IS mount / 140 DM to 160 & 74mm post mount / 140 DM TO 185?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Cubist]

So I need - 51mm IS mount / 140 DM to 160 & 74mm post mount / 140 DM TO 185?

Thanks for the help.

No, sorry, I've bolloxed the link. You need a 160mm IS to PM adapter
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/avid-mount-adaptor-rear-is-160mm/rp-prod15031

That's for the rear.

For the front I can't find anyone stocking a PM PM 180 adapter in the UK. Jensen USA have one, check the link
http://www.jensonusa.com/!nWl4tcyzy...ganic&cu=GBP&gclid=CLXNt-OJvboCFfHItAodWA0AxQ

However, you may get a Superstar one to fit, it's a different profile to the Shimano. The one you want is a PM PM 180 F

 

[Inthecup]

Thanks for the help. Parts ordered from the LBS so here's hoping I can have my bike up and running soon.

Just bought an old Schwinn hybrid for £30 from a friend that has no gear or brake cable, that's why I got it so cheap. Quite like this tinkering lark so hopefully get it up and running and moved on for a little more money than I paid.

Watch out for more help!!