Mountain Biking - Whats needed for hydraulic disk brakes?

Im just getting into moutain biking, switching over from Road and im thinking about getting a Specialized M4 Stumpjumper. I'm not going to go to disc brakes right away but i want to plan on what exactly will i need. I have heard about having to replace the hub, what exactly does that mean. Also what will i need beside just the disc brakes (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/cboProfile.html?SKU=12454) ? How much do the things like new hubs cost? Thanks

Sorry if this has already been covered but i searched for threads about disc brakes and there was just way to much information to weed through, i read some but my questions werent completely answered. Help a newbie MTBer out thanks again.

Make sure the frame is disc brake ready. Meaning that it has the mounts on it for disk brakes. Also that the forks have the mounts. If it is a new bike it probably is but I'd check to be sure. Hubs vary greatly in price. Check this page out.
http://www.pricepoint.com/hubsmtb.html
You might be better off just buying a new wheelset with disk hubs. Check out prices on wheelsets also.
http://www.pricepoint.com/wheelsdisc.html
If you just get the hubs, then you have to pay someone to rebuild your wheels.
Check prices at other stores too.
Performancebike
Jensonusa
Supergo
Nashbar

Welcome to the forum and the rough side of the road(mtb). I am not familiar with the Specialized you mention but if it is a recent model year, then the frame should be set up with mounts for the rear caliper. The front on the other hand depends on the fork. Look on the bottom portion of the fork, if there is a mount with two eyelets you should be able to mount the front caliper. You will how ever have to purchase new hubs for the wheels. Hubs can run any where from 35$ to 300$+ depending on the quality, materials and where they are made. You should be able to pick up some decent hubs, fr & rr, for around 150$. You will then have to have the wheels rebuilt and could run you about 45$ a wheel.
I would recomend you consider disc brakes when you purchase the bike if money is a prob. There are others on this forum that could give you better info being that they work in a shop.
Slainte
Matt
:beer:

I use Avid mechanical disc brakes and I still don't see how much better hydraulic disc brakes are.

What I mean is I think mechanical disc brakes are good enough. We are not riding a motorbike whose weight can be 6 times more. I just don't think there is a need for hydraulic.

I think part of the attraction of hydraulic is the near-perfect sensitivity between what the rider does to the brake lever and what the pads do to the disc. Perhaps the sealed nature of the system is an advantage in some ways too.

Having said that, I've stopped allowing my XT front hydraulic disc any excuses. It's broken in, it's bled, it has good modulation and sensitivity, but it's just not that powerful. Guess I was expecting the kind of grip I've seen with Hayes hydraulics in the past... :(

Not trying to start a Hayes-versus-Shimano war here, so I hope no one takes my criticism of my own brake the wrong way. But if the only advantage I'm getting out of my XT is sensitivity, and not extra power, then I'm a bit disappointed, particularly after building a very beefy front wheel for this thing, and converting to separate shifter pods too. Heh, maybe I should try some non-Shimano pads in it before I give up... any suggestions?

I would say that mechanical disc is the way to go if you are doing xc. They stop a bit better then v-brakes and weigh less then hydraulic. If you are a serious dh rider, a good set of hydraulics will do you right. If you want as little added weight to the bike then stay with v-brakes. In a long winded way I am saying that they all have there place and purpose, decide what type of riding you plan on doing and base your decision on that.
Slainte:beer:
Matt

Thanks you were all very helpful and friendly, ill just stick with the v- breaks for now and if i ever get into any serious riding maybe ill upgrade the brakes. Thanks again. :)

Originally posted by dirtbikedude
If you want as little added weight to the bike then stay with v-brakes.

Ok so lets take the XTR v brake (375g) + lever (83g) thats with no cables.....

And a Hayes HYDRAULIC brake....their site says Average System Weight
(Complete system, disc, and mounting hardware) 418 grams

So.......what v brake are you going to spend your money on that is that much lighter than a disc brake.....

XTR V-brakes are about 190 grams per wheel, if you're going on a per-wheel basis. Disc hubs typically add a little weight too (about 150 grams/pair if looking at the disc v. non-disc XT's).

Did I touch a nerve?:D I was addresing those riders who count every gram and are trying to get a bike as lite as possible.
Slainte:beer:
Matt