Mountain Biking - why can't I have a Hayes 8" disc on a Specialized Enduro?

Hey guys, I've been looking at bikes because I'm getting one when my tax return comes in, and I like the Enduro's. My biggest thing is that I want an awesome and configurable suspension setup, and powerful brakes. I haven't been too impressed by some of the lower end Shimano disk brakes for the front wheel, but the rear seems ok. I would like to see if there's a way to put a Hayes 8" disc brake on one of the Enduro's, but the bike shop guy said I couldn't, because it's quick-release. Is it totally impossible then? I don't understand what all is involved.

but the bike shop guy said I couldn't, because it's quick-release.

Not true. The brakes and rotors are on the hub and fork, not the QR. If your hub has a 5 bolt pattern then you should be fine. Most rotors these days use 5.

I have 8" rotors and I run a QR. The only thing you might have to do is put a mount on the fork to raise the caliper but most brake manufacturers sell them.

Just remember though, you will get more stoping power but the modulation will still be the same.

Slainte:beer:

It won't hurt anything will it? Would I have to beef up the hub or something? I just haven't been impressed with front disc brakes that seem less powerful than my current V-brakes.

I have a few friends that run 8" rotors with regular QR and they do alot of dh with them and have not seen any probs yet

You should be fine. I have a friend who's putting Hayes 8" on his fuel 90 with no problems. Everything now comes in a 6 bolt pattern all you will need is an adaptor to take the bigger rotor and your wheels should be fine

Ya the only thing you'll also have to worry about is if the rotor will hit the frame! That is an issue on a lot of bikes!
Like everyone else here has said...just get the 8inch adapter for the caliper and the 8inch rotor..it will all bolt up fine. Just make sure you have enough room for the 8inch rotor to clear the lower chain stay!

You mean on the rear, right? I'm not worried about the rear, I just want an 8" up front. Basically I want the same brake setup as a Specialized Big Hit.

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2003/bikes/bighitcomp_red_l.jpg

but on this bike, and with the Fox Talas fork, which it now comes with:
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2003/bikes/enduroexprs_l.jpg

oh...sorry thought you wanted on the rear too... YA you will not have a single issue with running an 8inch up front! Just get that 8inch adapter..it just moves the caliper out to fit 8inch rotor and obviously the rotor...and bam you're done! :beer:

The only thing I would check is if the Psylo can handle the extra torque the 8" rotors will place on the fork. I think you should be fine but I'm not very familiar with Psylos. Maybe this was the reason the person at the shop did not recommend putting a bigger rotor up front.

The Psylo should be able to handle it since it is supposed to be for heavy xc riding. It is a preity stiff fork.

Slainte:beer:

i think he is using the fox talas fork, not the psylo

Everything should work fine, but DirtBikeDude, 5 bolt hole pattern? What brakes are you thinking of? Everything is 6 bolt.

I would never put an 8" hydro brake on a QR, SC fork. SOOOOO many things could go wrong.

If it was a 20mm axle like the DJ, it'd be fine. If it was a DC, QR fork, it'd be fine.

SOOO much torque on something soooo sketchy.

Just get a more powerful brake. If you came into my shop, I wouldn't install an 8" setup on an SC, QR fork. I am not about to get in trouble if something goes wrong.

If you absolutely need an 8" then you are probally riding to hard for the Enduro.

Originally posted by urbanking
Everything should work fine, but DirtBikeDude, 5 bolt hole pattern? What brakes are you thinking of? Everything is 6 bolt.

CODA Cannondale had 5 bolt's.

Originally posted by BAC5.2
I would never put an 8" hydro brake on a QR, SC fork. SOOOOO many things could go wrong.

If it was a 20mm axle like the DJ, it'd be fine. If it was a DC, QR fork, it'd be fine.

SOOO much torque on something soooo sketchy.

Just get a more powerful brake. If you came into my shop, I wouldn't install an 8" setup on an SC, QR fork. I am not about to get in trouble if something goes wrong.

If you absolutely need an 8" then you are probally riding to hard for the Enduro.


There are studies and things that have been turning people away from putting 8" on regular quick releaze axle. I have heard that sometimes the wheel can be ripped out of the dropouts. I have also heard that if the wheel is properly attached, there shouldent be any problems. I tend to lean towards going with the second option, but I dont think I personally would put an 8" on a regular qr wheel.

Well, it's definately worth going to 8". I opted to upgrade my fork to a QR20. The lateral stability that you gain in the fork was a huge improvement as well. I like to do down hill but opted for the Enduro so I can get up the trail as well at my local spot. Next i'll be putting the same type of wheel and an 8" rotor on the rear. That stock rear rim is now falling apart.

http://www.pmaclub.com/ebay/mars1.JPG

http://www.pmaclub.com/ebay/marsclose.JPG

Originally posted by KleinMp99
There are studies and things that have been turning people away from putting 8" on regular quick releaze axle. I have heard that sometimes the wheel can be ripped out of the dropouts. I have also heard that if the wheel is properly attached, there shouldent be any problems. I tend to lean towards going with the second option, but I dont think I personally would put an 8" on a regular qr wheel.

Being a mechanic, I've got to cover my bum. If I was to install an 8" rotor on a standard QR axle, and the customer gets hurt, I am in for a lot of hassle that I am not willing to put up with.

So, that said. It very well might be fine, but I would never do it, nor can I recomend it.

but DirtBikeDude, 5 bolt hole pattern?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. I do not always proofread and I might have hit the 5 instead of the 6. :beer:

Originally posted by BAC5.2
Being a mechanic, I've got to cover my bum. If I was to install an 8" rotor on a standard QR axle, and the customer gets hurt, I am in for a lot of hassle that I am not willing to put up with.

So, that said. It very well might be fine, but I would never do it, nor can I recomend it.


I wasnt going against what you were saying at all dude. I am in half agreeince with you, but after explaining to the customer what could potentially happen and they still want it then I would install it. I would also ask what type of riding they do.....there are actually riders who dont ride hard at all and still have 8" rotors.

I have had problems with people like that in the past. Explain everything, have them sign things, and then they come back a week later and yell at me because it broke. So now I use my judgement.

If someone comes in, who actually knows what's up, and wants them installed. If I scope them to be a fairly reasonable person, and have them sign things saying they understand the risk involved, I'll do it (as long as their equipment will be strong enough).

But Joe nobody comes in wanting a Hayes Hydraulic Purple 8" setup on his bike with a JudyTT, I will flat out tell them no. These are the customers that will argue all day and night with me. It's a saftey concern, and I will not willfully put a customer in danger. Espically one who has no understanding of how a hydraulic brake works. If they want to be put into harms way, they can go to another shop or argue with my manager. If the manager gives the thumbs up, I'll do the install, but place all blame on him if the customer comes back with a broken nose and snapped fork.

All about a judgement call.

I had 8" front and rear Purple's on my Stumpjumper :). Manitou Sherman Slider on the front end too :).

CODA Cannondale had 5 bolt's.

Nope, CODA's were 4-bolt. There was only one or two companies way back in the early days of discs that used 5-bolt. Can't remember names.

L8R

I dunno about the 2003 enduros, but on the 02 Comp, the hub is actually a Specialized Stout hub, where the QR is the actual axel for the wheel to spin on, so its more beefy then a standard QR. I still managed to break mine though, so that may be a concern.

Hey dpdsurf, I forgot to mention that your bike is SWEET. You have got me thinking about building something like that for mountain X next year:D

I would not fit 8" rotors to ab Enduro. Although it canbe done, Specialized will not honour the warranty on the bike if anything fails if you you have a 'problem'
UIf you're going to use such largerotors you should be using a 20mm bolt through axle and compatible forks.

Hey dpdsurf, I forgot to mention that your bike is SWEET. You have got me thinking about building something like that for mountain X next year

Thanks KleinMp99, I'm pretty happy with it now. Much more stable since I beefed up the front end! I just put some Truvativ Stylos on Friday. Much stiffer pedeling up the hill now. Hopefully they'll hold up ok. If not I'll break down and get the Holzfellers. I have the giga pipe bb to keep a little beef. I was also throwing my chain almost every run before. New cranks seam to have cured that too :)