Mountain Biking - inexpensive switch to front disc brake

okay, so i'm a messenger and i've built up a winter bike , a fixed gear mountain bike. the fixed gear is to eliminate the slip of brake pads on snowy rims. i know i'm going to run into those problems, since i won't have the option to avoid riding in snow at various points of the winter, so i'm also thinking that in addition, i should replace the front fork and wheel with disc brakes. i don't want to spend too much, since i just don't make that kind of scratch, but i also know i can't go too cheap. then again, even a cheap disc brake that will work more regularly is better than a rim brake that won't. either way...it's only been a few months since i started building this bike and learning more about mountain bikes that i really became more interested in mountain biking, so i don't know what all my options are yet. any suggestions?

hayes mx-2s are decent, bb7s are excellente http://pricepoint.com/detail/12605-115_AVDMD3-3-Parts-158-Brakes/Disc/Avid-BB7-Disc-Brake---Mechanical-160mm-2006.htm http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BR401C00-Hayes+Mx-2+Disc+Brake.aspx
ed (http://bikeforums.net/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=5234918)
with avid FR-5 levers, and then go to here n http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600074&subcategory=60001027&brand=&sku=13210&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Brake%20Cable and get these

cool, thanks...but i think i'd also need a new fork, right? there aren't any tabs on the current fork.

so what style of riding do you plan on doing, and what bike is it? also, you will need new hubs (most likely) to accomidate the discs. depending on your budget and everything, getting a new wheelset might be cheaper

Dimension disc fork, Avid FR-5 lever Avid BB-7 160mm front disc brake. Add whatever front disc wheel you feel like blowing the money on. For mech discs, accept no substitutes. Make sure to run a nice full housing run with a decent stainless cable. Cheaper discs work, but the Avid discs work much better.

You can find this stuff pretty much at any online place, and should be able to get hooked up even cheaper on e-bay.

and make sure the rear spacing matches. and are you puting a disc in the rear? if so, it does have mounts right?

here. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Avid-07-BB-7-BB7-Mechanical-Disc-Brake-160mm-Front-NEW_W0QQitemZ270163797908QQihZ017QQcategoryZ58082QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

here. (http://cgi.ebay.com/New-07-AVID-FR-5-V-Brake-Lever-pair-F-R-FR5_W0QQitemZ330162112173QQihZ014QQcategoryZ58083QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

here. (http://cgi.ebay.com/DIMENSION-RIGID-DISC-FORK-PERFECT-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ180155675318QQihZ008QQcategoryZ36135QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

and here. (http://cgi.ebay.com/SUN-SOS-All-Mountain-Disc-Front-Wheel-MTB-Kona-Hub-QR_W0QQitemZ300148578437QQihZ020QQcategoryZ58089QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Cable/housing can be had at any decent shop.

and make sure the rear spacing matches. and are you puting a disc in the rear? if so, it does have mounts right?

Do you work at being this stupid, or are you just pretending/screwing with people?

A fixie with a disc brake on the back could be very painful.

A fixie fully would be scary.

yebut...it'd be fun to try!

the couple times i've had my fixed crosser out on some trails have been heart rate raising, but damn fun at the same time. slower, but just as fun as on the big bikes. entirely different way of riding a trail, that's for sure.

oops, im sorry, i forgot he was running a fixie, forget i ever said that

i forgot to add, when i showed those brake housings that compressionless brake housing will improve the brake of any mech disc brake. These specdific onesare the same ones that come in my $25.00 packs of cables which i needed two of. then i found these
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600074&subcategory=60001027&brand=&sku=13210&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Brake%20Cable

they are made by jagwire not nashbar. and they come with two cables that are a good length, instead of the jagwire packets which are one cable that needs to be cut in two.

here. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Avid-07-BB-7-BB7-Mechanical-Disc-Brake-160mm-Front-NEW_W0QQitemZ270163797908QQihZ017QQcategoryZ58082QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

here. (http://cgi.ebay.com/New-07-AVID-FR-5-V-Brake-Lever-pair-F-R-FR5_W0QQitemZ330162112173QQihZ014QQcategoryZ58083QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

here. (http://cgi.ebay.com/DIMENSION-RIGID-DISC-FORK-PERFECT-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ180155675318QQihZ008QQcategoryZ36135QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

and here. (http://cgi.ebay.com/SUN-SOS-All-Mountain-Disc-Front-Wheel-MTB-Kona-Hub-QR_W0QQitemZ300148578437QQihZ020QQcategoryZ58089QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Cable/housing can be had at any decent shop.

cool, this gives me some good ideas...rad.

A fixie with a disc brake on the back could be very painful.

? explain.

God, I love the internet. Why can only a few people here understand the English language (no offense to non-native speakers)??

To the OP- go with an Avid BB7 brake and any wheel you like that can handle the rotor. This is arguably the best mech disc brake and can be had for about $50. The BB7 will fit either an ISO or post mount fork. Look at an Avid SpeedDial or FR5 hand lever. Have fun in the snow!

? explain.

Could put strain on the knees.

Could put strain on the knees.

haha, fixie is all about knee strain, disc or no disc.

haha, fixie is all about knee strain, disc or no disc.

I know that much, I still have a track bike. Should have had it as additional. ;)

to the OP. Why do you need the power of a disc brake in the front? Locking up the front in snow or ice is not pretty...

to the OP. Why do you need the power of a disc brake in the front? Locking up the front in snow or ice is not pretty...

Did you read his post and comprehend? And trying to brake with rim brakes when you have water/ice on your rims is better?

Just as when riding on dirt or pavement, it's all about the modulation. It's not that hard to ride without locking up your brakes. (which you shouldn't be doing unless you are wanting to skid anyhow)

Did you read his post and comprehend? And trying to brake with rim brakes when you have water/ice on your rims is better?

Just as when riding on dirt or pavement, it's all about the modulation. It's not that hard to ride without locking up your brakes. (which you shouldn't be doing unless you are wanting to skid anyhow)

well maybe the tires I've worked with aren't a good indication, but when I used to live in Canada and ride in the snow, I could still easily lock up the front with V's

well maybe the tires I've worked with aren't a good indication, but when I used to live in Canada and ride in the snow, I could still easily lock up the front with V's

What's your point? I've been able to lock up every kind of brake I've had, from canti brakes to disc. being able to lock up your brakes doesn't mean you're braking effectively.

Knowing how to brake without locking things up is far more important. I've ridden on a lot of snow and ice. Even on a fixed gear with a disc brake up front. That combo works really, really well in crappy conditions.

What's your point? I've been able to lock up every kind of brake I've had, from canti brakes to disc. being able to lock up your brakes doesn't mean you're braking effectively.

Knowing how to brake without locking things up is far more important. I've ridden on a lot of snow and ice. Even on a fixed gear with a disc brake up front. That combo works really, really well in crappy conditions.

point being that the OP could save some money. He/she has to replace a bunch of parts. instead, why not get a pair of nice V's, and (as you stated yourself) learn how to brake effectively in the snow. Because if you're able to lock up the front tire even in snowy or icy conditions, getting disc brakes won't change anything. Its all about braking technique.

point being that the OP could save some money. He/she has to replace a bunch of parts. instead, why not get a pair of nice V's, and (as you stated yourself) learn how to brake effectively in the snow. Because if you're able to lock up the front tire even in snowy or icy conditions, getting disc brakes won't change anything. Its all about braking technique.

Getting disc brakes will change things... When you get snow/water/road crap thrown over your disc brake parts, they still stop better than rim brakes. You've completely misinterpreted what I was trying to say above.

Yes, v-brakes work, but discs work better. And, the OP wants disc brakes. It's his money.

It's his money.

fair enough

wow, i like the direction the debate took there...i mean, i assumed fixed/disc was a great combo, but if fixed/v is good, cool. if it's not, cool. but i like the debate given here and the things on both sides.

Getting disc brakes will change things... When you get snow/water/road crap thrown over your disc brake parts, they still stop better than rim brakes. You've completely misinterpreted what I was trying to say above.

Yes, v-brakes work, but discs work better. And, the OP wants disc brakes. It's his money.

What are you talking about? Rim brakes work great in conditions like this! :rolleyes:

http://members.shaw.ca/pisgahfallride/images/Bikes/IMGP2219resize.JPG

[QUOTE=never;5244600]What are you talking about? Rim brakes work great in conditions like this! :rolleyes:


Zing! That just illustrates the point I was trying to make. Your brake pads will have to get through that, and get to dry rim before they can become effective at all to brake. The friction/heat has to melt some of that crap off the rims, then dry things a bit before the pads will do much good on the rim at all.

With disc brakes, that process takes far, far less effort and time. IMO, discs are the ***** when things get wet/sloppy/snowy. I've had times with ice built up on my disc pads where there is a bit of delay before braking sets in, but waaaaaaaaay less than with any rim brakes setup I've ever had in the slop.

Granted, I use them in both my mtbs anyhow. And my fixed gear commuter/cross bike has a disc on the front too...:D