Mountain Biking - Disk brake/V-brake Combination

Am thinking of putting a disk brake (Avid mechanical) on my new SID fork. However, is on an older frame with no provision for a disk brake on the rear. Does anyone have any experience in doing so and what was your opinion on a disk front/V-brake rear set-up. Avid 3 V-brake on the back. Thanks and keep the rubber side up.

Originally posted by ParamountScapin
Am thinking of putting a disk brake (Avid mechanical) on my new SID fork. However, is on an older frame with no provision for a disk brake on the rear. Does anyone have any experience in doing so and what was your opinion on a disk front/V-brake rear set-up. Avid 3 V-brake on the back. Thanks and keep the rubber side up.

Experience? Its not like its going to hurt anything, and thats the way to go if you cant get a disc adapter. I'm pretty sure its keep the rubber side down too.:rolleyes:

It won't hurt anything to put a disc on the front and put a V-brake on the rear. Remember that you will also need a disc hub for the front, which could mean a new wheel/wheelset. If you go and buy a disc wheelset, make sure its also V-brake compatible, as you will need it to be in the rear. You might want to invest in a more-powerful V-brake for the rear, so that you can "balance" out the power coming from each brake better-it's up to you. Most of your braking will come from the front, so its most important to have the disc up there anyways. If the cost of the whole thing seems like too much, you will also notice a big difference in braking power between some V's and others like arch rivals or XTR's. Good Luck!

-Moab

My son has a Cannondale hardtail with a Hayes mechanical disc up front and LX V-brake (the old style-like the avids now) with Avid Rim Wrangler pads on the back. He has been running this combo for over a year. Very similar feel between the two at the lever when it is dry. When it is wet the rear feels non-existant (of course) Thats when he really appreciates the disc.