Rim Brakes to Disk Brakes

[Cameronmu917772]

The stopping power for hydrolic disks being better is not true, its about the same, if anything less. The maintenance that you do need you wont be able to do at home or without fluid, it is by far cheaper to do cable disks, and is especially better on a bike that is not MTB as the advantages of hydrolic dwindle away. If you have plenty extra money ($200+ now and 20-50$ [USD] per year) than fine, but otherwise BB7s are much easier to deal with on your own.

if one is to become extravagantly arsy the variables are so far apart from each other you couldn't fit it on a spread sheet. take into consideration the terrain, rotor size, speed, temperature, weather, wind speed, brake surface, tyre tread, tyre size tyre pattern, tread depth, sight of person, weight of person, hight of person, sintered pads to make and model of brake calliper oh and leaver and how the tension is set ................................. (think i may fall asleep) so i will just say a lot of things.

the question my friend was indeed ''What if I wanted to change to disk brakes? Is it possible? Is it difficult? How much would it cost?''
also may i ask what info are you basing this statement on?
The stopping power for hydrolic disks being better is not true, its about the same,

 

[Acesand8s]

if one is to become extravagantly arsy the variables are so far apart from each other you couldn't fit it on a spread sheet. take into consideration the terrain, rotor size, speed, temperature, weather, wind speed, brake surface, tyre tread, tyre size tyre pattern, tread depth, sight of person, weight of person, hight of person, sintered pads to make and model of brake calliper oh and leaver and how the tension is set ................................. (think i may fall asleep) so i will just say a lot of things.

the question my friend was indeed ''What if I wanted to change to disk brakes? Is it possible? Is it difficult? How much would it cost?''
also may i ask what info are you basing this statement on?
The stopping power for hydrolic disks being better is not true, its about the same,

Ok, as all variables meant the same when you switch on the same bike and ride the exact same trails, i found that because my fluid pressure would max out at an unknown psi, I was able to stop sooner and with cable disks, which i switched back to. There are many advantages to hydraulic discs, stopping power is not one of them. I can endo on flat land with either, downhill the total power definitely depends on pads, and whatnots, but in my case the mechanical proved equal. Admitingly better control with hydraulics, the expence of time spent and money with a snagged tube housing was not worth it for me. Imo, if you are going from rim to disc you should try mechanical first, as they will be worlds better than rim brakes. BB7s are more or less the best mechanicals you can get.

 

[MikeW-71]

Admitingly better control with hydraulics,

That is the advantage of hydraulics, humans can modulate lever pressure better than they can modulate lever travel.

 

[Acesand8s]

That is the advantage of hydraulics, humans can modulate lever pressure better than they can modulate lever travel.

Agreed. I did say just IMO. Its all about how close you come to perfect brakes vs time and money convenience.

 

[02GF74]

This is what Wiggle say:

Hydraulic disc brakes are lighter, more reliable, feel better and are more powerful than cable actuated disc brakes.

 

[Psycolist]

I may be being cynical, but as wiggle are likely to make appx 10 times as much money from you buying hydro brakes, OF COURSE THEY WILL RECOMEND THEM.
My own experience with disc brakes is
a) hydraulics were much more difficult to 'feel' how much pressure to exert on the levers, resulting in less accurate braking distances
b) cable operated disc brakes gave back more 'feel' but braking distances were greater than with a good rim brake therefore being less efficient
As well as these experiences, I found discs to be much more effected by moisture, to need more fiddling, maintenance and money, without really giving any true benefits.
I.M.H.O....Spend your hard earned on 'good quality' levers, cables, inner and outer, and pads, and spend time and care setting them correctly, If you do that I'll bet the performance increase will be enough for you to stop fretting about all the phaffing about involved in switching to discs.
Of course, if you are a gadget gatherer, then go gather, but I am sticking to my rim brakes that I have reverted to thanks.
P.S. I still use a square taper BB too. Call me a dinosaur if you want, but I know what I like, and I like what I know !
I'd rather be riding than fettling

 

[Cameronmu917772]

how can anyone not use a hydro affectively? its pressure regulated less pressure less braking :S

 

[Kins]

I swapped my commuter from V's to mechanical cable disc and it was great. Only swapped the front. Really don't need two disc brakes on a commuter imo. Was a £20 Clarks that worked fine with my Shimano shifter/brake pod.

 

[Psycolist]

how can anyone not use a hydro affectively? its pressure regulated less pressure less braking :S

I was , as I thought, lucky to be gifted a front disc set up from the Avid stable. Never being one to look a gift horse in the mouth, what ever that is supposed to mean, I bought a front disc wheel from fleabay. As I had no experience with hydraulic brakes, I popped along to my local friendly mechanic who helped me fit and set up the kit. From the very first time I rode with it fitted, I didn't like it. Very hard to attenuate the retardation, it almost worked too well, and I felt increasingly dissatisfied with the useability or consistency. I kept it on for around 150 miles before I removed it. The comment about 'less pressure, less braking' IMHO is much more relevant to rim brakes.
My other experiences with hydra brakes has been on other family members bikes, one a Scott and the other a Canondale. In both cases the front disc was like an on/off switch in the dry, creating some very hairy moments, leaving me unwilling to even touch the front lever. The rears were more useable, but in damp/wet conditions, I found both bikes to be unreliable in the amount of retardation offered, according to the level of water around. Sometimes, despite heavy rain, the brakes would still give good performance, then on another day, moist air as a result of mist for example, the braking distances were much longer.
I just don't feel that the useability of hydraulic brakes is as good , reliable or consistent as my good old fashioned rim brakes.
I can only speak as I find. Like I said, I'm a dinosaur, I like what I know and know what I like. And its only my opinion. My son and daughter always require Hydra brake set ups whenever they look for a new or replacement bike. Each to their own !

 

[Egon Belmontie]

I always prefer my bike kitted out with V brakes, if you buy a decent set of pads and adjusted correctly they will do you just fine, in all weather and surfaces.