Mountain Biking - Are disk brakes worth it?

I have been playing with the idea of upgrading to disk brakes as my bike has the brackets already there, but this would require a totally new wheel and hub and the big price tag to go with it.

I have been playing with the idea of upgrading to disk brakes as my bike has the brackets already there, but this would require a totally new wheel and hub and the big price tag to go with it.

YES! YES! YES! you'll never look back and you'll love the all-weather braking power! it's definitely worth it!
BTW, what bike do you have?

i love my disk but you cant get any!!!!!!!!! oil or anything on them i say go 4 it

YES! YES! YES! you'll never look back and you'll love the all-weather braking power! it's definitely worth it!
BTW, what bike do you have?

I have a Specialized Rock Hopper and I love it!

you think your rim brakes stop pretty well right? how could disc be that much better? buy discs, and you'll find out.

you think your rim brakes stop pretty well right? how could disc be that much better? buy discs, and you'll find out.

That is why I'm trying to sample some opinions to see if it is worth it.

You need to try some cantis that are properly setup first.

I have cantis right now and they work well. I was wondering if the upgrade is really worth it, is there any advantage?

No advantages whatsoever, it's all a marketing ploy.

disk brakes are great if you do it right, if you put down the money for some avid bb7 with speed dial levers, (or hydros if you really wanna go all the way) stopping power and break feel go through the roof, and if you ever knock your rim out of true it doesn't effect the brakes, i think you also have better control of how much your braking, better modulation imo, at least with the above mentioned system, its not worth it if you are gonna get some cheap tektro or promax brakes,

edited typo out, lol

What does a brake being Greek have to do with anything?

doesn't need to be too expensive, but it will require some money. They are nice to have, not necessary but definitely nice. Maybe consider doing the front first? Front wheels are generally less expensive and it's less of an investment all at once. I am running my surly with a Juicy 3 up front (same as last years Juicy 5) and a flip/flop in back w/ a rim brake, it was definitely worth the money.

Night and day is the difference, that you will notice greatly; it's a must have I say. Avid BB7 is a good start.

Just get longer levers.

i love my disk but you cant get any!!!!!!!!! oil or anything on them i say go 4 it


have an 07 specalized p2 cromo and the brakes wont even let me do a stoppie and wont lock up... why please help

This place is awesome.

you think your rim brakes stop pretty well right? how could disc be that much better? buy discs, and you'll find out.

i know what your trying to find out, but if you read with your head tilted at a 13 degree angle, you'll notice I mean "buy them, you'll never regret it, unless you get cheap stuff"

That is why I'm trying to sample some opinions to see if it is worth it.


Then you've come to the wrong place. All you will get here is a bunch of lame jokes from the kind of person who used to sit in the back of the class and crack comments that they and their 4 loser friends thought were funny.

First, you don't have cantilevers on your bike...not if you have disc tabs on the frame. You probably have linear pull brakes, aka v-brakes, which is a plus because you won't have to buy levers for cable actuated discs. Next, as others have said, don't go cheap. Cheap discs aren't any better than cheap linear brakes and are worse than a set of good linear pull brakes. For cost of the brakes alone, expect to spend between $100 and $130 for a full set. Then you will also need a set of wheels. You can get a set of wheels anywhere from $90 (cheap ones) to $250 (pretty good ones) and up. You are looking at $190 to $350 plus shipping for the parts. It might be worth $190 but at $350 that's a lot of money to throw at a $500 bike to make it into a $600 bike (retail price of a Rockhopper and a RH disc). Is it worth it? That's up to you.

As to whether or not it's an improvement? Someone said it's like night and day. It's not. It's more like the difference between a sunny day and a cloudy day. The v-brakes will stop you in just about any kind of conditions that the Rockhopper was built for. The discs will stop you in the same conditions and will do a bit better if you ride in wet conditions. Worth $200? I'd save money for a new bike first.

Then you've come to the wrong place. All you will get here is a bunch of lame jokes from the kind of person who used to sit in the back of the class and crack comments that they and their 4 loser friends thought were funny.

First, you don't have cantilevers on your bike...not if you have disc tabs on the frame. You probably have linear pull brakes, aka v-brakes, which is a plus because you won't have to buy levers for cable actuated discs. Next, as others have said, don't go cheap. Cheap discs aren't any better than cheap linear brakes and are worse than a set of good linear pull brakes. For cost of the brakes alone, expect to spend between $100 and $130 for a full set. Then you will also need a set of wheels. You can get a set of wheels anywhere from $90 (cheap ones) to $250 (pretty good ones) and up. You are looking at $190 to $350 plus shipping for the parts. It might be worth $190 but at $350 that's a lot of money to throw at a $500 bike to make it into a $600 bike (retail price of a Rockhopper and a RH disc). Is it worth it? That's up to you.

As to whether or not it's an improvement? Someone said it's like night and day. It's not. It's more like the difference between a sunny day and a cloudy day. The v-brakes will stop you in just about any kind of conditions that the Rock hopper was built for. The discs will stop you in the same conditions and will do a bit better if you ride in wet conditions. Worth $200? I'd save money for a new bike first.

I gotta say , you're answer makes the most sense, and looking at this, it would be better to put the money to upgrading the bike, not that the Rock hopper isent a good bike, but your right.

"Then you've come to the wrong place. All you will get here is a bunch of lame jokes from the kind of person who used to sit in the back of the class and crack comments that they and their 4 loser friends thought were funny."

+1 . The OP is fortunate that enough people are still here to help in a respectful way.

This is supposed to be a welcoming place, for discussions centering on mountain biking. Instead, it often degrades into a time-wasting puerile cesspool.

This is supposed to be a welcoming place, for discussions centering on mountain biking. Instead, it often degrades into a time-wasting puerile cesspool.

.....yet we all still keep coming back.

.....yet we all still keep coming back.

+1 True observation. Good yuks=good medicine for the body and soul.

The only thing I disdain is disrespect.

Yes.

I gotta say , you're answer makes the most sense, and looking at this, it would be better to put the money to upgrading the bike, not that the Rock hopper isent a good bike, but your right.

I agree with cyccommute as far as the brakes go, but why not stay with your plan to upgrade the Rockhopper. After all, some versions go for over $1000. If you haven't upgraded your fork yet, why not spend the money for a new or used upgrade. If you really want to upgrade your brakes for cheap, look for some XT level V brakes on ebay. They put more pad surface on the rim than your current brakes and will probably cost you about $25 + shipping. That's about what I paid when I upgraded my 05 Rockhopper with XTs.

The mechanical objective is impede/stop the tire/rim rotation. Rim brakes apply the braking force directly to the objective instead of via hub and spokes. With appropriate/proper brakes/pads, rim brakes present less mechanical stress to the spokes and overall wheel than do disc brakes and weigh significantly more.
Upgrade with this http://www.blueskycycling.com/product3714_31_-Avid-Single-Digit-7-Brakes-w--Avid-FR-5-Brake-Levers-Combo-Kit.htm and 2 pairs (1 front & 1 rear) of http://www.blueskycycling.com/product2644_68_-Kool-Stop-Mtb-Brake-Pads-w--V-Brake-Post-Dual-Compound.htm and you will be a happy "braker" due to improved brake performance and more cash for......
The Kool Stop pads are excellent performers in wet or dry due to the dual (salmon - wet and black- dry) compounds.
100% agree with wethepeople ....disc brakes are made to sell..... 'cause they are "cool/neat/gotta have" widgets.....that do no more than slow/stop wheel rotation.

The mechanical objective is impede/stop the tire/rim rotation. Rim brakes apply the braking force directly to the objective instead of via hub and spokes. With appropriate/proper brakes/pads, rim brakes present less mechanical stress to the spokes and overall wheel than do disc brakes and weigh significantly more.
Upgrade with this http://www.blueskycycling.com/product3714_31_-Avid-Single-Digit-7-Brakes-w--Avid-FR-5-Brake-Levers-Combo-Kit.htm and 2 pairs (1 front & 1 rear) of http://www.blueskycycling.com/product2644_68_-Kool-Stop-Mtb-Brake-Pads-w--V-Brake-Post-Dual-Compound.htm and you will be a happy "braker" due to improved brake performance and more cash for......
The Kool Stop pads are excellent performers in wet or dry due to the dual (salmon - wet and black- dry) compounds.
100% agree with wethepeople ....disc brakes are made to sell..... 'cause they are "cool/neat/gotta have" widgets.....that do no more than slow/stop wheel rotation.

In your world, maybe. But when I (along with legions of others) ride extended descents at high speeds or in adverse conditions, rim brakes really begin to show their weaknesses.

In your world, maybe. But when I (along with legions of others) ride extended descents at high speeds or in adverse conditions, rim brakes really begin to show their weaknesses.

That's the kind of smart ass comment coming from the back of the class that gets you in trouble. Watch yourself or another of your posts will get deleted.

The mechanical objective is impede/stop the tire/rim rotation. Rim brakes apply the braking force directly to the objective instead of via hub and spokes. With appropriate/proper brakes/pads, rim brakes present less mechanical stress to the spokes and overall wheel than do disc brakes and weigh significantly more.
Upgrade with this http://www.blueskycycling.com/product3714_31_-Avid-Single-Digit-7-Brakes-w--Avid-FR-5-Brake-Levers-Combo-Kit.htm and 2 pairs (1 front & 1 rear) of http://www.blueskycycling.com/product2644_68_-Kool-Stop-Mtb-Brake-Pads-w--V-Brake-Post-Dual-Compound.htm and you will be a happy "braker" due to improved brake performance and more cash for......
The Kool Stop pads are excellent performers in wet or dry due to the dual (salmon - wet and black- dry) compounds.
100% agree with wethepeople ....disc brakes are made to sell..... 'cause they are "cool/neat/gotta have" widgets.....that do no more than slow/stop wheel rotation.

Incorrect

I've got KoolStop full Salmons on the front of my bike. When riding wet, I have to go a good 20' before the rim is wiped dry and braking actually begins. On my other bike with disc brakes there is no difference in braking between wet or dry.

If rim brakes are all that and a bag of chips, why don't we see them on motos? :rolleyes:

That's the kind of smart ass comment coming from the back of the class that gets you in trouble. Watch yourself or another of your posts will get deleted.

Don't make me put you on the "list".

No advantages whatsoever, it's all a marketing ploy.

:roflmao:

What if you ride in mostly dry conditions? Are disc brakes worth it then?

Don't make me put you on the "list".

Did you have another birthday or something?

No advantages whatsoever, it's all a marketing ploy.

I have Avid Single Digit rim brakes with XTR cables/housings. I've never squeezed my levers and not stopped. Discs add weight and don't stop much better unless you're riding in wet glop. I guess if you ride in glop, go for it. Othewise, don't bother.

Of course, asking this question will get you as many biased replies as asking political questions, so you really should just ride a bike with quality discs, make up your own mind, and go from there.

I have Avid Single Digit rim brakes with XTR cables/housings. I've never squeezed my levers and not stopped. Discs add weight and don't stop much better unless you're riding in wet glop. I guess if you ride in glop, go for it. Othewise, don't bother.

Of course, asking this question will get you as many biased replies as asking political questions, so you really should just ride a bike with quality discs, make up your own mind, and go from there.

Hope you have some asbestos underwear:eek: Not that I don't agree with you but with this bunch of bozos...Them's fightin' words!

...Discs add weight...

Not always....depends on what you get.

99.9% of the time they will add weight. With the right setup, this can be minimized to the point where it's not worth worrying about.

99.9% of the time they will add weight. With the right setup, this can be minimized to the point where it's not worth worrying about.

very true, who's gonna care about the extra grams?:p (besides weight weenies.....no one!)

very true, who's gonna care about the extra grams?:p (besides weight weenies.....no one!)

If you get total crap ones they'll add quite a bit more than that. On an XC bike I'd go rim brakes and maybe rigid.

If you get total crap ones they'll add quite a bit more than that. On an XC bike I'd go rim brakes and maybe rigid.

yeah but for anything besides xc and road(and all the non-agressive stuff), no one will care about the extra weight that much, as u can see it's hard to find a top-o-the-line bike with v-brakes.

99.9% of the time they will add weight...

Can I see your calculations to back that up?

If someone is coming from a entry-mid level stock v-brake/wheelset setup and wants to go for the lighter weight components, they can drop a fair bit of weight.

If someone already has weight weenie wheels and v-brakes, then chances are pretty good that weight will be added by going to discs.

It's just that most people don't care about the weight so they don't go for components that can end up weighing less.

yeah but for anything besides xc and road(and all the non-agressive stuff), no one will care about the extra weight that much, as u can see it's hard to find a top-o-the-line bike with v-brakes.

Not that hard: http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/HEIHEISUPREME/index.html

as u can see it's hard to find a top-o-the-line bike with v-brakes.

and another...

http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/KULASUPREME/index.html

Kona does it right. :)

I saw a Kona ad in a magazine last month and the bike was actually spec'd (in the ad, anyway) with a flat bar. You don't see those offered stock very often anymore. The powers that be decided that you want riser bars and disc brakes, so conform or be ridiculed.

Can I see your calculations to back that up?

If someone is coming from a entry-mid level stock v-brake/wheelset setup and wants to go for the lighter weight components, they can drop a fair bit of weight.

If someone already has weight weenie wheels and v-brakes, then chances are pretty good that weight will be added by going to discs.

It's just that most people don't care about the weight so they don't go for components that can end up weighing less.

OK. I should rephrase that. Mid-level disc brakes, compared to mid-level rim brakes, will add weight. Am I right here, or babbling incoherently again?

Not that hard: http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/HEIHEISUPREME/index.html

wow:rolleyes:, i said "besides xc and road bikes".

wow:rolleyes:, i said "besides xc and road bikes".

Yeah, you said: "...but for anything besides xc and road(and all the non-agressive stuff), no one will care about the extra weight that much..."

You then added on a separate thought: "...as u can see it's hard to find a top-o-the-line bike with v-brakes." I don't see you qualifying that statement...you didn't mention the type of bike, only that 'top-o-the-line' bikes don't come with v-brakes, which was subsequently shown to be false.

If that's your sole criteria for evaluating brakes, a coaster brake will stop you eventually as well.

False.


Come on, you can do better than that one.

i don't know why you guys get all twisted in here. the guy is just asking if disk brakes are worth it. i recently added mechanical disk brakes to my bike (spent about $140 on pricepoint), and i won't switch back. in my opinion, they work much better than my old v-brakes. good luck either way you go.

Yeah, you said: "...but for anything besides xc and road(and all the non-agressive stuff), no one will care about the extra weight that much..."

You then added on a separate thought: "...as u can see it's hard to find a top-o-the-line bike with v-brakes." I don't see you qualifying that statement...you didn't mention the type of bike, only that 'top-o-the-line' bikes don't come with v-brakes, which was subsequently shown to be false.

oh, sorry, i meant to join them as one - a master post if u will...:p

i don't know why you guys get all twisted in here. the guy is just asking if disk brakes are worth it. i recently added mechanical disk brakes to my bike (spent about $140 on pricepoint), and i won't switch back. in my opinion, they work much better than my old v-brakes. good luck either way you go.

it's true, it's true....and awesome:D.

The absolute cluelessness of many posts on this subject (including your posts and that cyccomute dweebs posts) are a great source of amusement to folks that actually ride mountain bikes off-road in variable conditions on narrow, challenging trails.

I'll bite. Give me a clue.



As to whether or not it's an improvement? Someone said it's like night and day. It's not. It's more like the difference between a sunny day and a cloudy day. The v-brakes will stop you in just about any kind of conditions that the Rockhopper was built for. The discs will stop you in the same conditions and will do a bit better if you ride in wet conditions. Worth $200? I'd save money for a new bike first.

What parts, specifically, of what cyccommute says here do you think are clueless, and why do you think so?

I was a little reluctant to upgrade to discs (it was a while ago now), however I was so impressed with the stopping power, with minimal brake pressure that I couldn't stop grinning.

Couple of points to note though, there is a slight weight increase (if this is an issue to you). Also, remember to get over the back of the seat - get your weight back if your going to brake hard on any decline, otherwise things could get exciting!!