Flat dropouts / disc brake adapters

[RedBike]

I want to install disc brakes on my CX bike.

I've been looking at this adapter
http://www.woollyhatshop.com/view_product.php?id=731
Apparently it needs flat dropouts.

Are my dropout flat?

 

[RedBike]

Having emailed the Wolley hat shop I got a reply back today

No sorry our adaptor will not fit onto your frame as it is not aluminium it has no way of clamping on.
Regards
Paul

I'm very glad that they took the trouble to respond. The only thing is this is i'm pretty certain this is an aluminium frame!.

 

[jpembroke]

what bike have you got?

 

[RedBike]

Paul Milnes team race cyclo-x

 

[jpembroke]

which, according to Paul Milnes website, is alloy. Not sure what they are on about. I'm not sure why frame material is relevant anyway? Perhaps the adapter will slip on Ti or Steel. The bit about dropouts is confusing but I think they mean you need vertical dropouts (which you have) that have no machining on them i.e. are flat. Some dropouts vary in thickness and seem to have 'terrace' like features. Sorry, can't really describe it any other way. Basically, your rear dropout needs to be smooth and of uniform thickness.

I do have a sneaky suspicion though that this will prove to be more hassle than it's worth though. What brakes are you currently using?

 

[RedBike]

I currently have Avid shorty 6's and i'm having loads of problems with the front brake. It's basically either juddering like crazy or not stopping.

I've tried different pads, mini-v's, even full length v's but I still can't stop the front fork from juddering, so i'm planning to switch the forks and change to discs while i'm at it.

The brakes on the rear aren't too bad (Although there's not much power). But as I would prefer the same brakes / wheels front and rear i'm looking at disc brake adapters for the back. I've now order an A2Z adapter from my not so local bike shop. It's going to cost a bit more but at least I get to see if it fits before buying it!

If I can't get an adapter to fit then i'm giving up and selling the frame and forks to buy an uncle john or a 29ner (with disc brakes!).

 

[zzpza]

i have an a2z adapter on my gt mtb. i think what whs meant is that alu bikes usually have a larger surface area at the fork end for the drop out. this is what the adapter clamps to. i'm not sure how the adapter could attach to the bike in your photos. see piccy of my bike below...

​

 

[RedBike]

Thanks for the picture. I'm not sure if the adapter is going to fit or not. (probably not)
At least I will find out on Saturday!

If the adapter doesnt fit then my next post on this forum will be for suggestions for a cheap disc brakes 700c frame.

 

[Dave5N]

Buy a mountain bike.

Discs are not suitable for cyclocross anyway.

 

[jpembroke]

Get some Empella Frogglegs and suffer like the rest of us.

 

[jpembroke]

I currently have Avid shorty 6's and i'm having loads of problems with the front brake. It's basically either juddering like crazy or not stopping.

I've tried different pads, mini-v's, even full length v's but I still can't stop the front fork from juddering, so i'm planning to switch the forks and change to discs while i'm at it.

The brakes on the rear aren't too bad (Although there's not much power). But as I would prefer the same brakes / wheels front and rear i'm looking at disc brake adapters for the back. I've now order an A2Z adapter from my not so local bike shop. It's going to cost a bit more but at least I get to see if it fits before buying it!

If I can't get an adapter to fit then i'm giving up and selling the frame and forks to buy an uncle john or a 29ner (with disc brakes!).

I had really bad fork judder with my old brakes - Tektro Oryx, which are low profile and very similar to Avid Shortys. I swapped to wide profile cantis and not only is mud clearance far better but the brake judder has pretty much gone too.

I have an Uncle John frame by the way. Whilst the frame has disk mounts, the fork doesn't, which is odd. I'm not bothered though as I'm happy with the cantis.

 

[RedBike]

I had an uncle john a few years ago. I sold it and brought a Ribble winter bike, mostly because I fancied the change but mainly so that I had a bike I could easily get fit full length mud-guards and a pannier rack without bodging something up out of p-clips and zip ties .

I love my Ribble, but i'm missing the ability to fit wider tyres and get off the beaten track now and then, or just cope with the horrndous road surface at the moment!

I'm also looking at the roadrat 'short' bike. I'm not too sure of the horizontal dropouts though. http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/roadrat

 

[jpembroke]

I know what you mean about the Uncle John. Mine is for 'cross racing, pure and simple, so I don't care about racks and panniers. It's certainly not ideal for commuting and winter training.

 

[jpembroke]

and that Cotic is lovely. Makes me yearn for my Pompino (which I stupidly sold). Had that set up originally, with flared drops, then flat bars, then normal drops, then back to flats with v-brakes. I love all that simplicity.

 

[02GF74]

that won't fit onto your frame.

there is another type that uses a long arm to connect to the brake boss (the stikcy out bit your v-brake fit to) and clamps over the chain stay.

not as elegant but should fit your frame.

alternative is to have a peice of steel brazed on to your frame.

Does anyone know if there is a steel frame with disc brake fittings? Steel is not in vogue for mtbs.