Installing bigger discs

[magicmerve]

Howdy,

Not been on this forum for 5 years after a so called friendly member slated me for buying a crappy bike, but the biking bug has re-infected me and I'm on the look out for some advice. Hopefully can chat to nice people.

I've been doing my research and looking from the advice people my size (6ft and 17st.......it's all muscle ) and given it looks like I need 203mm discs. Been looking about and as a huge fan of Guy Martin I'm thinking some Hope V4 brakes would do me nicely.

My question is can I fit bigger discs to a bike that has had smaller discs on? From what I've seen I need to install a simple bracket device with "washers" that allow a bigger disc in. Is this the case?

Also any recommendations on other brake manufacturers are welcome as I'm open to ideas.

Cheers

Murray

 

[Drago]

Your small and lighter than my good self, also pure muscle, and manage very nicely on 180s and caliper brakes. I would investigate what's wrong with yours before spending any cash. You also need to establish how big a disc your frame or fork is rated to handle before going ahead.

 

[dan_bo]

203s are overkill on owt barring DH bikes in this country. Speaking as a MTB lump who rides in Saddleworth on 180/160.

 

[drummerbod]

As others have said. 203s are for proper downhillers - pro level. 160 will do for 95% of people.

 

[marzjennings]

I've ran 203's for years on my xc bikes because anything smaller didn't work for me (6'4" 16.5 stone), but I understand newer 180's (160's are just too small) are better and should work fine (though I'm not going to be testing that theory). You'll have to check your forks and frame are rated for larger rotors, usually there's a sticker on one of the forks legs. Plus you'll have to buy the right adapter for the fork and caliper combination you will have. You won't need 203 for the rear wheel, it only makes a real difference on the front.

 

[magicmerve]

Very interesting reading all your comments. I will look into the 180 disc and see if my bike can take it.

Thanks for the advice guys

 

[jowwy]

Very interesting reading all your comments. I will look into the 180 disc and see if my bike can take it.

Thanks for the advice guys

As 17st bahemouth myself, my road bike has 160 front 140 rear discs.......nowt else bigger required

 

[Drago]

Bunch of lightweights and vegetarians on this forum

 

[magicmerve]

As 17st bahemouth myself, my road bike has 160 front 140 rear discs.......nowt else bigger required

That's what I have now and they just don't do the job. They are Tektra so not sure if that's any good

 

[jowwy]

That's what I have now and they just don't do the job. They are Tektra so not sure if that's any good

Them get a set of trp spyres if they are mechanical disc brakes

Are you riding drops or flat bar disc

 

[magicmerve]

Them get a set of trp spyres if they are mechanical disc brakes

Are you riding drops or flat bar disc

Lost you bud. All I know is they are hydraulics and have 2 Pistons

 

[jowwy]

Lost you bud. All I know is they are hydraulics and have 2 Pistons

Then its not the size of the disc thats the problem......you need to upgrade the hydraulic brake itself to something better

Bigger discs wont help if your using crap calipers

 

[magicmerve]

Then its not the size of the disc thats the problem......you need to upgrade the hydraulic brake itself to something better

Bigger discs wont help if your using crap calipers

What brand would you recommend?

 

[jowwy]

What brand would you recommend?

What bike is it your riding??

 

[magicmerve]

What bike is it your riding??

Whyte 801 2012