Mountain Biking - Are there disk breaks out there that are lighter than v-brakes?

My S-works has XTR V-brakes and XTR Lever/Shifter Combo's

My questions:

1)I love the sti shifters but am thinking about going to disk brakes...Is there an XTR shifter/lever combo which can be used with xtr disc brakes and still uses sti?
2)I am running hugi/517's are there disc wheels out there that will be lighter?


at 24+ lbs i am not interested in making my s-works any heavier!

at 24+ lbs i am not interested in making my s-works any heavier!

Man that is one heavy arse beast. how do you ride that thing?;)

But the answer is no. Discs will make your bike heavier. Remember, you will have to get hubs for discs which will be heavier and the system it's self will also be heavier.
If you realy want discs then maybe swap out the fork for something lighter, get super light carbon or ti bars, seat post, seat and get some mechanical discs. You could also get a full set of Ti bolts for the frame. You can get a FS rig, depending on the frame, down to mid 22's to 23's.

:beer:

My S-works has XTR V-brakes and XTR Lever/Shifter Combo's

My questions:

1)I love the sti shifters but am thinking about going to disk brakes...Is there an XTR shifter/lever combo which can be used with xtr disc brakes and still uses sti?
2)I am running hugi/517's are there disc wheels out there that will be lighter?


at 24+ lbs i am not interested in making my s-works any heavier!

Just an FYI, 517's are a really bad idea for disc brakes... they don't seem to hold up well to the stress. If you go disc maybe check the 717's which I believe are a disc version of the 517 rim more or less.

You also have to think about extra rotating resistance of both the hubs and the actual disc itself. An ounce on the frame is worth three on the wheels or so they say. There's a reason the hardcore XC dudes run V-brakes on hardtails!

To answer the thread's question, in a nutshell...








































































no.

ok

I have found a possible way to go

shimano does make xtr hydraulic brakes and a combo xtr shifter/lever to run them...they are supposedly fairly lite

mavic crossmax sl disc wheels seem lite aswell!

It will be $1500 at supergo but possibly less at my lbs

What do people think of this combo, anyone running it? Any guess as to how much weight, if any, this will add?

WOW $1500 for brakes, shifters, and wheels?!! The setup you are describing will add weight. Your stopping power however will increase.

the hugi/517 wheelset is one of the lightest wheels out there. any "upgrade" will likely be heavier. you're correct, the crossmax disc is comparable weight, but $1500 to upgrade to discs is not really worth it imo. if you get a disc setup other than the one you've described you're likely to make your bike ~2+ lbs heavier.

like dirtbikedude mentioned, you can probably make up those 2 extra pounds by upgrading other parts of your bike. with a $1500 budget, i'm sure it can be done =]

http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?lstore_id=9&LPROD_ID=23021&lsubcat_id=7589&lcat_id=7604&referpage=

Magura Marta SL Carbon disc brakes. They claim to be lighter than rim brakes.

Those mag's are pretty light. That must be the rotor and and caliper at 324 g. I assume it doesn't include the levers or hose. Compared to about 200 g for V-brakes, not counting levers or cables, you still come out behind.

I haven't looked at weights, but I understand the new XTR hub and rotor combination is supposed to save some weight by eliminating bolts. XTR + 717 rims must be pretty darn light, albeit really expensive when you add on DT 15/17 spokes and the cost of the brakes besides. Plus you'll have to use Shimano brakes since the center-lock system is not compatible with 6-bolt rotors. I'm sure you'll still end up a little bit heavier than V-brakes.

the difference in weight between the V-brake xTr set up and disc brake is only 30gr or just over an ounce.

So - whats the problem - have you crashed because of your discs? I have a couple of bikes with discs (a Stumpjumper not listed in my sig) , but on a CC course I'm still the fastest on my litespeed with rim brakes. If it ain't broke ......

So - whats the problem - have you crashed because of your discs? I have a couple of bikes with discs (a Stumpjumper not listed in my sig) , but on a CC course I'm still the fastest on my litespeed with rim brakes. If it ain't broke ......


1)superior stopping power
2)improved brake modulation
3)decreased brake fade
4)possibly all with little or no weight gain

I have never "crashed" my acura but i'll take my 911 any day in trying to "avoid" an accident for all of the above reasons :)

ok

a little follow up

i made the switch and went with

xtr hydraulic disk brakes and combo shifter/brake levers
crossmax sl wheels
xt rotors (to avoid the dreaded 'howling')

I was worried b/c my sid is so flexable

My thoughts on my new setup:

1)Oh Damn!
2)modulation...much improved
3)ease of brraking....much improved
4)weight gain...minimal (less then 1/4)
5)overall braking...amazing!

highly recomended

thats quite a set-up youve got there

That took a long time. I have the same levers and wheels that you just got and love them as well. Most people on this forum claim the new "flippy shifters" suck. I just think they didnt give it enough time.

any pics?

i put the set up together 2 months ago and for got to update my post...love it!
here is a before pic (will post an after when i get home today...pay no attention to the blue hunk of tin holding up the rig! :) )

heh...yeah too bad a subaru forester station wagon whoops it's ass.

heh...yeah too bad a subaru forester station wagon whoops it's ass.
I hope another bad joke attempt. :eek:

I hope another bad joke attempt. :eek:


no i'm sure the forester will destroy me....when i'm on my bike ;)

Is that's a porsche boxster...a subaru forester will out run it in acceleration 0-60....

Is that's a porsche boxster...a subaru forester will out run it in acceleration 0-60....

That's a carerra. Nice try though! ahahahaa

now my STi on the other hand....

Most people on this forum claim the new "flippy shifters" suck. I just think they didnt give it enough time.


Not to rehash the argument, many of us don't think they SUCK, just a misapplication for our specific styles of riding.

For XC racing, then I guess they make sense.

For everything else, there are better alternatives.!

What most of us think SUCKS, is the proprietary complete componentry system that Shimano is pushing towards. The "reading between the lines" of us who see Shimano phasing out shifter pods. I like Shimano products, I just like other companies brakes better. If you go with Shimano flippy's you're stuck with Shimano discs. THAT SUCKS!

only if you don't like shimano discs. The new XTR's are considered the best on the market by many magazines, local LBS', and pros i know.

What most of us think SUCKS, is the proprietary complete componentry system that Shimano is pushing towards. The "reading between the lines" of us who see Shimano phasing out shifter pods. I like Shimano products, I just like other companies brakes better. If you go with Shimano flippy's you're stuck with Shimano discs. THAT SUCKS!

My thoughts totally! I had a choice last year when building my Blur. I ended up buying the 2002 XTR shifters because I wanted my choice of disc brakes. After riding my Blur for a year+ now, I'm glad I went that route. I've ridden the STI-style shift/brake combo, and I think I could get used to it, but I still prefer the trigger shifters.

The weight difference between V-brakes and disc-brakes isn't enough for me to abandon the superior braking of discs. That's my story, anyway! :)

Only if you don't like shimano discs. They are considered the best on the market by many magazines, and all LBSs I go to.

sorry about the double post, internet problem on my end

sometimes ISPs can be so ghey.

Opinions are like ashholes and everyone's got one.

I've tried XTR's and they're good, no doubt.

I just like the feel of my Hayes with my custom (no longer available - R3) levers, better!

I am wrong? Nope!

Are you wrong? Nope!

Just because a magazine (who runs ads) gives them a good review likes them, doesn't mean they're great.

Same thing with sponored Pro's.

Same thing with my good buddy that loves his HOPE's.

He prefers his Hopes, and I my Hayes and you your XTR's.

With Shifter pods, we could ALL run an XTR drivetrain, and all be happy. Luckily for the time being we still can. How long until Shimano drops their shifter pods? I don't know!

Is that's a porsche boxster...a subaru forester will out run it in acceleration 0-60....


huh...boxster...huh huh...cute!


as far has which set up sti or other...total personal prefrence...i loved my thumb shifters 13 years ago, my rapid fires, grip shifts and now my sti's rock!

a picture for clarification:

huh...boxster...huh huh...cute!


as far has which set up sti or other...total personal prefrence...i loved my thumb shifters 13 years ago, my rapid fires, grip shifts and now my sti's rock!

a picture for clarification:

I doubt they can still tell the difference unless you actually take a picture of the "Carerra". And like i said, having to run XTR discs only sucks for you and others who don't like them. Otherwise, it's a perfectly integrated system.

I hate you.

likewise

I just cant see spending $1500 for such a small change.....althought the XTR v's are horid.

I just cant see spending $1500 for such a small change.....althought the XTR v's are horid.


i have to say the change was huge for me

those of you who have been riding a long time...remember when rock shox first came out and how once you went suspension you never went back...kind of the same thing for me....the difference in fairly profound!

good move for me i'd say

...remember guys don't hate the player...hate the game ;)

I have like a 98' or 96' Judy XC and SL....they do that, well it doesnt go back that fast.....its fun!

if you get disk brakes and you are woried about weight, take in count your weight. smaller guys can use smaller brakes. I am 275lbs so i use 8 inch dual piston hope. if your smaller you can use smaller brakes like a 6". also if ur looking to save weight on a fork... rock shox sid... i think its the lightest fork out there for a resonable price. i seen them at supergo for around $350. im not a weight weenie. my bike weighs in at about 30 lbs and i pedal every where. i just got a marzocchi shiver 2004 for $250!!.

also if ur looking to save weight on a fork... rock shox sid... i think its the lightest fork out there for a resonable price. i seen them at supergo for around $350.

I wouldn't run discs on that (SID) noodle!

any pics?

an after pic:

man those wheels are dead sexy. Buy me a set? :)

Ok for the weight weenies, whats the Mass of that?

Ok for the weight weenies, whats the Mass of that?


3 :)

I doubt they can still tell the difference unless you actually take a picture of the "Carerra". And like i said, having to run XTR discs only sucks for you and others who don't like them. Otherwise, it's a perfectly integrated system.

the headlights on the carerra are different, as is the front end geometry.

then you have the wheels...boxter wheels are nowhere as impresive as the 911 gets.

Porsches are like bikes...unless your really a fanatic, it's hard to tell em apart.

Only if you don't like shimano discs. They are considered the best on the market by many magazines, and all LBSs I go to.


And many other magazines find Hayes/Hope/Avid/Magura to be the best. And most LBS I've ever been into are more interested in moving product, and making money. Of course they are going to try and sell you the "best" out there.

Me? Avid discs teamed up with Paul levers, stainless cables with full compressinless braided housing front and rear. 185mm front, and 160mm rear rotors. Mmmmmmm: buttery smooth, great modulation and feel at the lever, all the power I want when I want it, no bleeding, and little to no maintenance needed. I get to use whatever shifters and lever I want. And I never have to bleed them, or have a piston stick. No mineral or DOT oil to hassle with. No problems breaking a hydro line. (yeah, that is hard to do, but i've personally seen it happen several times) Are they boat anchors? Sure, but I beat the hell out of them with no complaints.

Keep in mind, what's "best" for you may not be the best for others.

That's another reason why I like the idea of staying with my Avid mechs.. I can run any lever of my choosing. Anything special about the Paul levers over the Avid SD Ultimates?

That's another reason why I like the idea of staying with my Avid mechs.. I can run any lever of my choosing. Anything special about the Paul levers over the Avid SD Ultimates?

not really. a little less $$, a little less weight. i had always used avid levers in the past, but hated the way they all developed slop in the pivots. i don't use the speed dial feature, so going with the super spendy ultimate levers seemed pointless. the pauls use a nice two peice threaded together insert as the pivot, and it's very nice and easy to adjust how tight/loose you want your lever pivot tightness to feel. very nice levers, but only if you don't want the speed dial feature. if you want that, go for the ultimates.

actually, can't really go wrong with either. both very nice sets.

you another night shifter? three hours to go..........

I stay up until ridiculous hours of the morning because I work til 2am and don't have to be at work til 6pm... Also as far as the levers go, I was kinda just looking at the SpeedDial SL's since they're considerably cheaper and still offer enough adjustability to suit me. I like the ability to adjust leverage/travel quickly and easily. Right now I just have the FR-5 levers, which are ok but I still can't quite adjust them to my liking.

I stay up until ridiculous hours of the morning because I work til 2am and don't have to be at work til 6pm... Also as far as the levers go, I was kinda just looking at the SpeedDial SL's since they're considerably cheaper and still offer enough adjustability to suit me. I like the ability to adjust leverage/travel quickly and easily. Right now I just have the FR-5 levers, which are ok but I still can't quite adjust them to my liking.

yeah, if you want more adjutability, then the avid levers (whichever SD model you get) will work better. since i didn't use that feature, and slop at my levers/pivots drives me nuts, the pauls are perfect. back in the "lightweight anodizing crazy" 90's i tried a pair of kooka racha levers. drove me crazy how much slop at the pivots they had, and how much the little tiny lever blade flexed!

doing a 7pm-7am three nights a week. long nights, but plenty of days off to play and ride!