Converting to Disc Brakes

[Subby]

I love my bike (2007 Major Jake) but I hate the brakes. I would like to convert to disc brakes, but I don’t even know if that is possible – both from a practical and cost standpoint.

Here is a pic of the bike – is this a fork I can use or do I have to get a new one? What else do I need to know?

Thanks.

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Topic

[ShawnoftheDread]

With a new fork and front wheel you could convert the front, but there don’t appear to be mounts on the frame for the back. Have you thought of trying mini v-brakes instead of cantis?

[mstone]

You’re looking at a fork, caliper, new wheel, and the disc itself. Probably more cost effective to sell this and get a different bike (or n+1) unless you’ve got a bunch of money in component upgrades already that you won’t recover.

Have you tried different pads (e.g., kool stops) on the current brakes? You could also look at upgrading the cantis.

[vvill]

The rear triangle on that bike doesn’t have mounts for disc calipers, you would need a new fork for a front disc, and you’d also need new hubs (wheels). Also the rear spacing for disc hubs is typically 135mm too, as opposed to the 130mm modern road standard.

Some of the CX riding folks here know a bit about how to best upgrade your cantis performance. Paul brakes seem to get good reviews, and you can also change how the hanger is mounted, I think.

You could also just upgrade your front to a disc by getting a new fork and new front wheel.

[hozn]

I can strongly recommend mini-V brakes. Not as good as disc, sure, but much much much better than the cantis they replaced (Avid Shorty 4). Easy to setup initially, quiet, no shudder, easy to replace pads without having to figure out the toe in again, much better stopping power, etc. I used the TRP mini-v brakes specifically. They aren’t cheap (they list at $149, but I found mine for around $100, IIRC), but they were worth every penny. And certainly a lot cheaper than buying a new bike There are also Tektro versions; I remember thinking when I did the research that it was worth it to get the TRP based on reviews, but that may not be true [or true anymore]. Anyway Tektro is to TRP what Honda is to Acura (i.e. same company, different grade).

There are two models; choose the one that is best matched to the cable pull for your levers (i.e. the CX9 is for newer Shimano and CX 8.4 is for Sram / older Shimano, I believe).

[DaveK]

@hozn 71404 wrote:

I can strongly recommend mini-V brakes. Not as good as disc, sure, but much much much better than the cantis they replaced (Avid Shorty 4). Easy to setup initially, quiet, no shudder, easy to replace pads without having to figure out the toe in again, much better stopping power, etc. I used the TRP mini-v brakes specifically. They aren’t cheap (they list at $149, but I found mine for around $100, IIRC), but they were worth every penny. And certainly a lot cheaper than buying a new bike There are also Tektro versions; I remember thinking when I did the research that it was worth it to get the TRP based on reviews, but that may not be true [or true anymore]. Anyway Tektro is to TRP what Honda is to Acura (i.e. same company, different grade).

There are two models; choose the one that is best matched to the cable pull for your levers (i.e. the CX9 is for newer Shimano and CX 8.4 is for Sram / older Shimano, I believe).

What he said. Mini-Vs with good pads will make a huge difference over cantis.

[Subby]

Mini-Vs it is! Thanks so much for all of the advice.

edit: Amazon had them for $100. Woohoo! 1-3 business days.

[DaveK]

I had the Tektro-branded mini-Vs on my cross bike for a while. They worked well but were heavier than the TRP version and harder to adjust.

[hozn]

@Subby 71425 wrote:

Mini-Vs it is! Thanks so much for all of the advice.

edit: Amazon had them for $100. Woohoo! 1-3 business days.

Awesome! I think you will be happy with that purchase. I have some Jagwire Ripcord brake cable housing lying around, if you need any (they’ll likely need longer housing than the current brakes).

[Author]

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