Mountain Biking - Disc or Rim

First real mountain bike purchase for me will happen in the next few days. It will be used for general purpose XC riding. I would love your opinions on if I should go disc or save some coin and go with rim brakes. Discuss......:)

IMO, our technology has made it such that bicycles can use disc brakes, take advantage of that and get discs. I used to have cantis, even after putting brand new pads on and cleaning the rims they still sucked. My bb5s stop me instantly, love them. It's worth it.

Rim brakes will work just fine unless you think you'll be finding yourself in wet, muddy places. Rim brakes lose a lot of their stopping power when liquids are introduced into the equation. For general xc purposes, rim brakes will leave you completely satisfied, however, upgrading from rim to disc is a more arduous task than you'd think. You'll either have to rebuild your wheels with disc hubs or get a new wheel set, and depending on whether or not you choose hydraulic or mechanical, you'll need new brake cables. In other words, make your decision now, and save money (whichever way you end up going..)

A beginner rider on a beginner bike probably won't find too much need for disc brakes too soon..

or you could buy the bike with disc ready wheels and just get rim brakes right now. Then you could upgrade to disc without much of a problem. The cable issue is not a big deal. By the time you decide to upgrade to disc, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the cables anyhow and cables are cheap. Quality V Brakes are better than crappy disc's anyday. If you want disc, upgrade to an Avid BB7 later.

I don't want to upgrade brakes. What ever comes on the bike I buy will be staying on it for a long time. My money pit is my roadbike so the Mountain bike will stay status quo.....unless of course....... I fall in love with mountain biking...........:)

Disc brakes are more expensive, but its slightly easier to change brake pads on discs than on rims.

I'd try demo-riding a bike with discs at a LBS to see what its like, then make your choice.

First real mountain bike purchase for me will happen in the next few days. It will be used for general purpose XC riding. I would love your opinions on if I should go disc or save some coin and go with rim brakes. Discuss......:)
disc

Rim brakes went out in the 80's man. Go disk or go disco.

my $0.02 would be probably if you can get a bike with nice discs (not cheapo ones) and you can afford it without breaking your bank then go for it. though when i got my bike my budget was a firm $500 and i couldn't get worthwhile discs in that range. so i got a bike with V brakes and disc-ready frame and wheels. when we got my wife's bike we were able to afford nicer stuff, her's has some kind of hayes hydros. to me the main differences are a huge stopping power difference (on hers i can make the front and rear tires skid on dry pavement, my v brakes can only skid on mud) and adverse weather performance. hers stop the same in rain or mud, maybe a little less if the rotor gets wet, but barely noticeable. my bike still stops in rain and mud, just takes a lot more distance. and mud/dirt causes some bad grinding noises and accelerated pad and rim wear, so i stop and clean the pads/rim every so often with a kleenex when riding in mud. so far there's never been a situation where i couldn't ride a certain path because my brakes weren't good enough. someday i may get some nice mech discs but for now my V's get me by.

Rim brakes went out in the 80's man. Go disk or go disco.
No disco bands these days... closest I can come up with though is VNV Nation, Assemblage 23, and Funker Vogt...

Well... maybe not Funker Vogt...

Go Fixed Gear, then you won't have to worry about brakes.

First real mountain bike purchase for me will happen in the next few days. It will be used for general purpose XC riding. I would love your opinions on if I should go disc or save some coin and go with rim brakes. Discuss......:) garysol1, please share your thoughts on brakes.

how do you think riding a bicycle with rim brakes will make you feel? happy, sad, or even frustrated...?

how do you think riding a bicycle with disc brakes will make you feel? joy, guilt...?

do you have any fears, concerns, or past bad experiences with either rim or disc brakes that you can share with us?

garysol1, please share your thoughts on brakes.

how do you think riding a bicycle with rim brakes will make you feel? happy, sad, or even frustrated...?

how do you think riding a bicycle with disc brakes will make you feel? joy, guilt...?

do you have any fears, concerns, or past bad experiences with either rim or disc brakes that you can share with us?

Let me get on the couch here.....LoL
Not sure about the happy or sad Doc but I would prefer disc if I had a bigger budget. What I need to figure out is this....Do I forgo better components to get Disc. I can get a higher end bike with V-Brakes that is a few years old or a newer lower end bike with a Disc.....That is my dilemma. I do not care about the cool factor but I may care about resale value if I decide to upgrade bikes in the future.

.....That is my dilemma.
how is your quality of sleep? are you having trouble initiating sleep thinking about brakes? :D


i wouldn't compromise components for discs in your range. get a nicer bike with rim brakes.

Rim brakes will work just fine unless you think you'll be finding yourself in wet, muddy places. Rim brakes lose a lot of their stopping power when liquids are introduced into the equation.

boy, that's for sure. i did my first muddy, wet, rainy riding a week ago and the first thing i noticed was how my brakes transformed from 'brakes' to 'speed modulators'

It really depends on where you ride. If it is going to be muddy get discs if not V-brakes will be fine.

Ok, Thanks guys...My search continues.

"What do I say to complaints that my brakes are no good?
I tell you this, Anyone can stop. But it takes a genius to go fast"
Enzo Ferrari
origonaly sighted in Zin and the art of road bike matinence.

Disc brakes work- but not the cheap ones. Cable operated Discs come in a variety of qualities and Although the higher end ones are OK. They are not as effective as Hydraulic.

Choice of Disc or rim brakes is impossible to answer. "V" Brakes work well. Before giving answer.

What Make and model of Disc brakes are going to be used?

I tell you this, Anyone can stop. But it takes a genius to go fast"
Enzo Ferrari

Well, Enzo Ferrari just wanted to say something profound...I think an idiot with massive quads could go fast just as well as a genius, don't you?:D


You don't need hydraulic disc brakes, sir. Don't be swept away by the tech geeks (such as myself) that say Hydro is the only way to go.

This man is a roadie who is getting into MTB'ing. He's not a MTB'er that's looking for an agressive sled to rocket downhill or huck to no end. He would do just fine with a set of Avid Mechanicals or something along those lines.

I do suggest that if you can't get a bike with Avid Mechanical discs...just stick with V-Brakes. The Avids are very easy to set up, maintain, and fix if need be. They perform very well too. In your case, I'd be more concerned with what kind of fork you will get with your bike purchase. Brakes are going to stop you eventually either way you go. Generally, people end up upgrading drivetrain stuff as it wears out, but forks and brakes tend to stay OEM longer unless you get "upgrade fever" like me. Last year, the Trek 6500 and Rockhopper Comp (I think) were the same price. The 6500 looked more "racey" and had a better rear derailleur, but I talked my pastor in to getting the Rockhopper b/c 6500 came with a Manitou Axel and the Rockhopper came with a Rockshox Tora Fork. There is absolutely no question there which is better. The Tora is a suspension fork...the Axel is a rigid fork that occasionally gives way to a bump or two.

Kay, if you are getting rim brakes, make sure its a Avid Single Digits, its simple, low maintenance and it works, but If you are getting disc brakes, make sure its not Hayes SOLE. Avids, Magura and Hayes (except SOLE) are all good disc brake makers

Dude,
qualilty v brakes are better and cheaper than cheap discs. If you are entering the sport you dont really need discs, I try to advice people that their bikes should reflect their position in the learning curve.

My point is that you wont have a real difference riding full xtr if you are a crappy rider. Get a simple bike and upgrade accordingly.

Ricardo

I agree with Ricardo, I would get the older bike with better components with rim brakes versus a newer bike with low end discs.

Also, the comment on getting a better frame / fork is good advice. You'll upgrade the accessories before you change out the frame.

The thing you don't mention is your budget. What is it?

The reason? If you're talking about $1,000, then you start to enter the realm of decent discs and decent components. If you're talking $500, then the new discs are crap!

My priorities:

Good Frame - Heart of your bike, most critical
Good Fork (suspension) - Will make a huge difference in how your bike feels
Wheels - Can make your bike feel like an anchor or a gazelle.
Drivetrain - Nobody wants crappy shifting
Tires - Different tires can make or break a bike's feel.
Brakes - Stopping is stopping. If you ride DH trails in the mud then you need discs. If you ride XC you don't.

Here is what I THINK I have decided on. My LBS has a 06 Gary Fisher Tassajara with the Manitou Axel Elite fork that he will let me have for $500.00 out the door. I know it does not have the best Forks or brakes but it should provide a solid enough platform to get me started and the bike is disc ready including hubs so if I decide I need better braking action I can easily upgrade. Very importantly is that it has the full warranty which a used bike would not.

one of the few things that I learn from MTB is get quality components, if you cant get a lower range of technology that is quality :D, cant afford a Juicy? Get a Single Digit instead :D

Gary, for your riding, I see absolutely no problems with a good set of V brakes. There is quite a difference on stopping power (just like discs) with the various brands of V brakes. I do not like Tetkro's and even after changing pads, they still don't have enough leverage, but that could be due t me weighing 215. My Rockhopper (base model) came with Tetkro's, changed brakes and levers to LX, and saw decent improvement. About a month ago, I bought a new Iron Horse Warrior Expert that came with Avid BB5's...I am very impressed with these brakes...as in they STOP.
I suggest you ride as many bikes in your price range as possible. Crank up to speed (maybe find a steep hill) and see how they stop you. Get them nice and hot after a few trips down and see how they do. A ride around a LBS paking lot doesn't tell you much. My priorities on a bike are first: the best front suspension available at my price point, second: brakes/levers, third: wheelset (much prefer eyeletted), and then componet group. In my opinion, upgrading a bike to Deore, SRAM 5 or 7's on rear or front derailer's are pretty reasonable (maybe $50-75.) if you shop some sales.
Check out www.rscycle.com as they are closing out the Iron HOrse 2006 bikes with excellent prices. I really like my Warrior Expert with the Avid 5's. Good luck and let us know what you find.

Here is what I THINK I have decided on. My LBS has a 06 Gary Fisher Tassajara with the Manitou Axel Elite fork that he will let me have for $500.00 out the door. I know it does not have the best Forks or brakes but it should provide a solid enough platform to get me started and the bike is disc ready including hubs so if I decide I need better braking action I can easily upgrade. Very importantly is that it has the full warranty which a used bike would not.

You may ask your LBS what they could do to upgrade the Axel to a Tora. I really have to tell you...the Axel is aweful. It is soooo sticky. Try pushing lightly downward on the fork & gradually increase your pressure until finally it feels like some little demon in there lets go and it compresses. When you compress a good fork, it will gradually compress more as you gradually increase your load.

That is a stiction monster.

It's a good starter bike, don't get me wrong. I would just think about a fork in the future. If you ride it and it feels good...keep it on there.

The main thing is that you're happy Gary...we just want you to be happy.

You may ask your LBS what they could do to upgrade the Axel to a Tora.

The main thing is that you're happy Gary...we just want you to be happy.

For what he gave me the bike for I am not asking to many favors :) If the fork gets me to spring I will happily "spring" for a upgrade. Oh yea......I am feelin the love...thanks:D

get a disc ready bike (i.e. it has mounting tabs and disc hubs) with v-brakes and with BB7's being so affordable, you can't lose.

check out their brake prices. (http://www.unrealcycles.com/)

99.9% of people will agree BB7's are the end all on mechanical discs

Rim brakes went out in the 80's man. Go disk or go disco.


so your rotors look like this?

http://oldcomputers.net/pics/floppy5.gif

Quality V Brakes are better than crappy disc's anyday.


Best pearl of wisdom on this thread.

If you're planning to go "all in", then it's best to spend $700 on a bike complete with disc brakes and quality components. If you're on the fence, you're probably better off going with a $400-$500 bicycle with V-Brakes. Just remember that even though there are plethora of BAD disc brakes out there, they still add extra cost to a bicycle so a bike with discs on the low end tend to get shafted on more important components like hubs and cranks.

I personally would not want to ride on rim brakes anymore. Even on "dry" days there are often wet spots to ride through that can quickly transform really grippy v-brakes into no brakes.

Go DISCS, unless they are cheap crappy ones...otherwise I would recommended high quality v-brakes like the Shimano XT's or Avid Single Digit Series.

Generally though, for a new bike purchase, go Discs. As you say you 'wont upgrade now', but a few years down the track you may want to upgrade the quality of the disc brake, and by having a disc specific bike it makes that change much more easy.

:)

Go for disc avid bb7 stopping power is superb and less spending.

In short here are a few good rims and disc brakes without breaking the bank:
Rims : Avid Single Digit Series
Discs : Avid BallBearing 7
Avid Juicy series
Hayes HFX 9 series

There might be more but these brakes are commonly used by my group.

Go for disc avid bb7 stopping power is superb and less spending.

BB7's ordered today from Unrealcycles .... I Feels like a boy at Christmas...Oh wait.....I am :)

haha, anyway congrats on your new buy and enjoy riding :D

BB7's ordered today from Unrealcycles .... I Feels like a boy at Christmas...Oh wait.....I am :)
j5's ordered today from Unrealcycles ....due on the 19th. ditto on Christmas...

I head out of town on the 20th for 2 weeks so hopefully they make it by then...

Here is what I THINK I have decided on. My LBS has a 06 Gary Fisher Tassajara with the Manitou Axel Elite fork that he will let me have for $500.00 out the door. I know it does not have the best Forks or brakes but it should provide a solid enough platform to get me started and the bike is disc ready including hubs so if I decide I need better braking action I can easily upgrade. Very importantly is that it has the full warranty which a used bike would not.

Great choice. I have a friend that just went through the same ordeal and bought the same bike. He loves it. Couldn't be happier. I think you'll find that the v brakes work just fine. Now go find a trail and ride.

Go Fixed Gear, then you won't have to worry about brakes.

you ride off road fixed with no brakes?

this thread made me wonder what a new bike costs equipped with good discs/v's

i looked at the trek top fuel 7, comes with avid juicy 3's, MSRP $2089
http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1142600&f=11F

but trek's top fuel SL comes with avid SD SL V brakes MSRP $7479
http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1148600&f=11

why?

^They are lighter.

^They are lighter.

ahhh i see, that would be be why the race line is the only one with v's at the top of the scale.. just wondering, cool thanks :)

Here is what I THINK I have decided on. My LBS has a 06 Gary Fisher Tassajara with the Manitou Axel Elite fork that he will let me have for $500.00 out the door. I know it does not have the best Forks or brakes but it should provide a solid enough platform to get me started and the bike is disc ready including hubs so if I decide I need better braking action I can easily upgrade. Very importantly is that it has the full warranty which a used bike would not.
About that Manitou Axel. Are you aware that Manitou makes two spring kits that provide stiffer springs for that fork? You might want to consider asking the LBS to swap out the stock, usually very soft springs for the mid-level or very stiff springs. It will make a difference on a trail. My LBS swapped mine out for no extra cost, but the aftermarket cost for the kit lists at about $80. Just thought you might want to know.

:D

http://static.flickr.com/141/325237237_dd8da2763f_b.jpg

Rico, that sure is a purty hub and brake caliper.... :)

Disc brakes work- but not the cheap ones. Cable operated Discs come in a variety of qualities and Although the higher end ones are OK. They are not as effective as Hydraulic.
...

Hydros have one big advantage over cable. The nature of the way hydros work allow the system to adjust itself along with pad wear.

Other than that, the effectiveness of a brake system is determined by the size of the rotor and the surface area of the pads.

Hydros do provide a convenient method of increasing mechanical leverage. But this same function is accomplished with cables by simply increasing the length of either the actual brake lever, or the actuation lever on the caliper.

http://www.sram.com/_media/images/common/avid/rimbrakes/singledigit7_large.jpg

You will be fine with v-brakes. Spend the money now on more important stuff like the fork and solid base drivetrain. I think used bikes are the best- lots of good deals on them in the winter.

just make sure you get disc compatible wheels so what ever brakes you may get you can upgrade