Mountain Biking - No Front Brakes???

Ok, here is yet another question from me. I have been looking at several rock shox sid auctions, and have noticed most of them only take v-brake shocks. I really want to get one, and I was wondering if it'd be ok to go without front brakes until I can afford v-brakes. I hardly ever use the front brakes anyways. By the way, my bike has Shimano ''A'' brakes.

you mean cantilever brakes? v-brakes and cantilever brakes attach the same way, but getting a sid means getting a fork without the cable stop for canti's. and i would not ride without front brakes because that's where most of the stopping power comes from.

Yeah, cantilever brakes, sorry. Like I said, I do not use my front brakes. If it will mount fine, I will mount it, I just thought when they said v-brakes only they meant v-brakes only. Thanks

If you dont use your front brake, then something is very wrong. The front brake is your primary stopping device, so learn to use it effectively.

you are gonna put a SID on a bike that didnt even come with v brakes???? and you can't afford v brakes? How you gonna pay for that fork buddy?

you can get a great set of Avid v brakes for less than 70 bucks with levers included. I'd upgrade the brakes first before you put a high end fork on a bike it probably doesnt belong on in the first place.

copper RS - why dont you quit second guessing him, and if he makes a mistake he learns from it. he didnt ask to be berated on the logic of putting a sid on a bike that didnt come with v brakes. i mean, if he wants to let him and leave him alone. please?

peace

sshock, he was just trying to help. No need to snap at him. Actually I would have said the same exact thing.

Trek6500ZX, DO NOT REMOVE THE FRONT BRAKE! In fact you should be using the front more than the rear. The front brake gives you more stopping power. If you have to come to a sudden stop on a trail and squeeze the rear hard, you will most likely fishtail and crash. Not a good idea.

I am gonna say something strange here. Practice without the brake...you speed will improve quite a bit riding without brakes for a short time. Trail some trail riding with switchbacks to really get better. You will crash more but you will end up a better rider...

Originally posted by copper RS
you are gonna put a SID on a bike that didnt even come with v brakes???? and you can't afford v brakes? How you gonna pay for that fork buddy?

you can get a great set of Avid v brakes for less than 70 bucks with levers included. I'd upgrade the brakes first before you put a high end fork on a bike it probably doesnt belong on in the first place.


Yeah.. Buddy, I am going to pay for that for fork with the $200 I have to spend on it. Just because my bike did not come with v-brakes doesn't mean it is a bad bike. You assume too much without knowing what bike I have.

ok, sorry i came off so harsh but it seems a little overkill to put a top of the line fork on a bike that doesnt even have a front brake. it just doesnt make much sense. its like putting racing slicks on a minivan, its unnecessary.

A better option would be to downgrade slightly on your fork and get a decent set of brakes. last year i got a 2002 duke SL and some avis SD7s for like 250 new, and the duke is a sweet fork. That is a much better deal than an old SID and no brakes.

Originally posted by copper RS
its like putting racing slicks on a minivan, its unnecessary.






that made me laugh so hard.. hehehe

i can picture some soccer-mom with 6 kids in the back doing a burnout in the S&S parking lot

You got a good deal then, because all the duke forks are going for $350-375 on ebay

I don't think your understanding it, my bike does have a front brake. I was just seeing if I could run it without the front brakes. Like Tfunk said, I could mount my brakes on any fork that has v-brake mounts. I will run it with my brakes if possible.

Im assuming you own a trek? The 6700 model? If so, it already comes with a front v-brake. I dont understand what you are asking here...

Besides, you know youre limiting yourself to 80mm travel right?

he owns a trek 6500 which is probably a few years old when cantilevers were the standard. he was wondering if he could mount canti's on a newer rs sid fork, which he can except he'd need a hanger/cable stop for the canti. the trek 6500 is a XC bike, for which 80mm should be plenty.

I'm not understanding the logic here, but okay. I seriously wouldn't recommend riding without a front brake.. and if you don't use your front brake at ALL you aren't riding fast enough.

How are cantilever brakes different from v-brakes?

lol.. Who are you to say I am not riding fast enough? Have you ever ridden with me? Nope, didn't think so.

Hey Trek, you will not be able to find a cable hanger for those forks or any late generation products. At the very least, you'll need to get some calipers (when you decide to get some), you will also need a new brake lever as well. If you have a brake/shifter combo guess what. New shifter too! Well, NOT really. You can use your existing lever with a thingy call a "Travel Adjuster" it allows canti levers to be used with Vee calipers. The travel adjuster is about $15 and a tiny bit bothersome to install, but not "over the top".

You can usually score some calipers for $15.00, plus the travel adj., brings you to $30.00 for your brakes.

L8R

Thanks a2psyklunt. I do not have brake/shifter combos so that shouldn't be a problem.

trek- i'd get some v-brakes before i get that sid fork.

You guys should stop giving Trek6500 so much grief for wanting to put a high-zoot fork on a bike without using front brakes.

You don't know him, so you have no idea that he is such an advanced, hardcore rider that he can ride without the front brake that you pansies rely upon so fearfully. At his advanced stage, he can figure out over-the-top upgrades to his bike without concern for issues you mere plebes think would matter, like compatibility of parts. Don't be fooled by the appearance that he doesn't know the difference between a cantilever and a "vee" brake in terms of function or structure, and offer your advice that he do things yourway.


Trek6500, here's my answer, buddy: Well, I sure wouldn't do it, or let any of my buddies or local kids do it, but, hey, Knock Yourself Out. Front brakes are way over-rated.

:beer:

Thanks Ebasil, I think if I do get a fork, I'll take a2psyklunt's advice and use my current front brakes. They have enough stopping power for me.

d0h!

I think everyone shoujld play brakeless once and a while. You riding skills will increase quite a bit :)

Originally posted by Maelstrom
I think everyone shoujld play brakeless once and a while. You riding skills will increase quite a bit :)

it does improve skill to ride things without your brakes, but riding without having brakes (especially the front) is dangerous and stupid. you never know when you will need the brake.

But hell its a free world, if you want to take your brakes off then by all means do it, heck I wouldn't even wear a helmet.

Originally posted by EBasil
You guys should stop giving Trek6500 so much grief for wanting to put a high-zoot fork on a bike without using front brakes.

You don't know him, so you have no idea that he is such an advanced, hardcore rider that he can ride without the front brake that you pansies rely upon so fearfully. At his advanced stage, he can figure out over-the-top upgrades to his bike without concern for issues you mere plebes think would matter, like compatibility of parts. Don't be fooled by the appearance that he doesn't know the difference between a cantilever and a "vee" brake in terms of function or structure, and offer your advice that he do things yourway.


Trek6500, here's my answer, buddy: Well, I sure wouldn't do it, or let any of my buddies or local kids do it, but, hey, Knock Yourself Out. Front brakes are way over-rated.

:beer:

since when do hardcore riders not use front brakes? And if this guy is at such an "advanced stage" why is he asking us "plebes" such innane questions?

Please post pics of Trek6500 doing hardcore stunts at great speed, I would like to see this god in action.

trek...

I am in a similiar situation.

I have a 97 Trek 8000zx, and have recently been faced with upgrading the drivetrain. Being that I am on a college budget, I haven't a ton of money to spend. I tried to locate quality 8spd shifters to replace my 8spd shifter/lever combo, but couldn't, so ended up purchasing a 9spd XT shifter/lever combo. It sucks on my existing 8spd drivetrain, and I am just having to put up with it, until my order of an 9spd XT RearDer, 9spd Sram chain and cassette from nashbar arrives late this week. (i have been riding this 8/9spd sloppy shifting for about 3 weeks)

Had I spent less on the levers to begin with, and tried purchasing everything at once, I would kick myself in the long run, whereas now, I will be very happy with my higher quality drivetrain.

All that to say....
Providing that you love your frame, go ahead and buy the better fork, and try to get the brake situation taken care of soon.

Good Luck!

Originally posted by copper RS
it does improve skill to ride things without your brakes, but riding without having brakes (especially the front) is dangerous and stupid. you never know when you will need the brake.

But hell its a free world, if you want to take your brakes off then by all means do it, heck I wouldn't even wear a helmet.

Thats a little bit extreme of you. Going without a helmet is not a skill. Learning to ride while not riding the brakes is a very helpful skill. Way to many people ride the brakes when they trails ride. Its unfortunate but they are sabbotaging their speed and flow. Going without brakes helps them get rid of the habit of braking and teaches high speed turning. I wouldn't do a technical trails without brakes but most xc courses I would give it a try. Its a worthwhile skill most people don't have.

Originally posted by copper RS
since when do hardcore riders not use front brakes? And if this guy is at such an "advanced stage" why is he asking us "plebes" such innane questions?

Please post pics of Trek6500 doing hardcore stunts at great speed, I would like to see this god in action.






hes being sarcastic dumbass

WHOOOOOOOOOOoosh!



That sarcastic reply was AWESOME.. but it seems to have went over the heads of some.

:o

the reason i suggest vbrakes before the fork is because you can run vbrakes on canti forks, but you cannot run cantis on vbrake forks(because of the cable stop/hanger). unless of course you are fortunate to find a stop that fits on the headset then no problems with the cantis =].

A set of v-brakes is major cheap these days anyway.