Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Disk front brake?

I'm thinking of switching my Sputnik to disk front brake so I can also swap to a non-machined front rim without having to go brakeless or run a coaster.

The thing is, I have really mixed feelings about the look. I really like the function and looks of disks in general, just dunno about how it would look on a FG bike running a front brake only.

Anybody running such a setup and want to post some pics? Any style cops wanna give me cheers or jeers for considering such a setup?

You could also run a drum front with non-machined rims. It wouldn't have as much stopping power as a disk, but might give better wet/snow performance than a rim brake.

don't worry, it will look sweet if you do it.

My buddy's GF did this on her fixed.

It's the only one like it in town and it looks sweet.

Just stick with a 140mm rotor.

Go for it. If you're running road brake levers (drop or in-line/cross), you may want to get a road disc system. Avid makes a road version of their BB7 (arguably the best mechanical system).

If you've got flat/riser bars, you can run a MTB setup (you'll have to use a MTB setup if you're going with hydraulic).

disk front brakes are cool

doing it just for the non machined rim isn't

I've always thought it was a pretty cool idea, especially if you ride in the wet a lot. Check out this interesting cable routing:

http://one9.us/images/bike/fixie-disc-cable-routing.jpg

disk front brakes are cool

doing it just for the non machined rim isn't
What about doing it to compensate 20 years after the fact for being a nerd in highschool? :)

There's a lot I like about disks including the utility and the look - plus I have always thought that it was very cool how all of the kinetic energy of a 180+ lbs rider can be dissipated through that little piece of metal. It's awesome. I've thought about it off and on for quite a while but when I recently switched to a non-machined rear rim and liked the looks so much it got me thinking more seriously about finally doing this mod.

Thanks to all who have provided advice/insight.

The bike has bullhorns and a cross-top lever now and I intend to keep that configuration (although replace the lever with a carbon unit). I really like how my EC70 fork rides, but they don't make a disk version of it. Time for more research!

I've always thought it was a pretty cool idea, especially if you ride in the wet a lot. Check out this interesting cable routing:

http://one9.us/images/bike/fixie-disc-cable-routing.jpg

Bar spins!

Aaron_F (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=25236)

Do you have a pic of the whole bike? The bike looks pretty sweet.

Thanks.

I modified my Surly with one. It works well in the wet, but then again my bike is nerded out ;P I ride fixed with two brakes, but I've made it an all weather treker so that's why I like the the options
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/3695553086_4c0388049c.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/3694980475_98db6b4872.jpg

Aaron_F (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=25236)

Do you have a pic of the whole bike? The bike looks pretty sweet.

Thanks.


Sure, man! Not my bike, but here's some more info on it: http://www.traitorcycles.com/Bikes_Streetfighter.cfm

I think it would be awesome! I was also thinking recently about how rad a front disc brake would be.

Gyes,

You have the coolest bikes man! That looks great.

They're also great in long ass descents.

Sure, man! Not my bike, but here's some more info on it: http://www.traitorcycles.com/Bikes_Streetfighter.cfm

that gearing looks obscenely low. other than that, cool looking bike.

Just stick with a 140mm rotor.
Can you put a 140mm disc on the front? All I see is 140mm rear brakes, and Avid specifically says (PDF) (http://www.sram.com/_media/pdf/en/avid/specs/AVID_Mechanical_Disc_Brakes.pdf) that 140mm is rear only.

I've always thought it was a pretty cool idea, especially if you ride in the wet a lot. Check out this interesting cable routing:

http://one9.us/images/bike/fixie-disc-cable-routing.jpg

How do you tighten your headset routing it this way? looks sweet though!

How do you tighten your headset routing it this way? looks sweet though!
It's got the usual star nut, just oversized with a hole down the middle of the bolt, something like this: http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8419

That one may require you to disconnect the brake before you can adjust the headset/stem.

It's got the usual star nut, just oversized with a hole down the middle of the bolt, something like this: http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8419

That one may require you to disconnect the brake before you can adjust the headset/stem.

Do they happen to make something like this in a compression style for a carbon fork by any chance? :)

It's got the usual star nut, just oversized with a hole down the middle of the bolt, something like this: http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8419

That one may require you to disconnect the brake before you can adjust the headset/stem.

It doesn't appear there's still a bolt in it at all. You can actually get away with removing the stem cap bolt completely once you've tightened the stem down on the steerer tube, since it no longer serves any purpose. Lots of weight weenies do it to lose a few grams.

It doesn't appear there's still a bolt in it at all. You can actually get away with removing the stem cap bolt completely once you've tightened the stem down on the steerer tube, since it no longer serves any purpose. Lots of weight weenies do it to lose a few grams.

You mean both the top cap and bolt, I assume? I've never seen this but it makes a twisted kind of sense.

Can you put a 140mm disc on the front? All I see is 140mm rear brakes, and Avid specifically says (PDF) (http://www.sram.com/_media/pdf/en/avid/specs/AVID_Mechanical_Disc_Brakes.pdf) that 140mm is rear only.

I believe that's just for BB mechanicals.

Do they happen to make something like this in a compression style for a carbon fork by any chance? :)
I doubt it, it's meant for BMX tricks, where carbon fiber is a bad idea.


It doesn't appear there's still a bolt in it at all. You can actually get away with removing the stem cap bolt completely once you've tightened the stem down on the steerer tube, since it no longer serves any purpose. Lots of weight weenies do it to lose a few grams.
On that one you're probably right. I thought someone made hollow hex-head bolts, but the hollow bolts I'm finding now have a big external nut so you can adjust it without removing the cable.


I believe that's just for BB mechanicals.
Well, yeah, but Avid hydraulics don't even mention 140mm, and I can't find any other manufacturer claiming a 140mm front disc.

You mean both the top cap and bolt, I assume? I've never seen this but it makes a twisted kind of sense.
Yeah, you can remove the cap and the bolt if you want. On the surface, it sounds like a bad idea, but you have to remember the cap and bolt only serve to pre-load the bearings. The stem clamp bolts are what actually hold the stem to the steerer tube.

Assuming you left the cap and bolt on (as we mostly do) and the stem clamp bolts loosened, the cap and bolt would keep the stem from coming off the fork, but it wouldn't hold the front wheel in line with the handlebars anymore, so you're going to crash anyway.

Basically, all the guy did with that bike was ditch the top cap bolt after tightening down the stem, then he slid the brake line down through the star nut and out the bottom of the steerer tube. I'm not sure what keeps the top cap from popping out of the top of the stem, but a tiny dab of silicone would probably do the trick.

Two things:

160mm is the smallest you can go in the front unless you've got some custom fork action welded up.

http://images.jensonusa.com/large/hs/hs309z01_____118_bolt.jpg

http://www.universalcycles.com/images//products/medium/32405.jpg

Those are what you need.

http://www.universalcycles.com/images//products/medium/32405.jpg

Those are what you need.

Wouldn't the cable bind inside the steerer tube when you turn the bars? There would be no issues running straight through the middle, but I'd think the star section of the SFN would cut the cable since the cap turns with the bars, but the nut doesn't.

but the nut doesn't.
yes it does

yes it does

Yeah, you're right! I was thinking in relation to the steerer tube, w/o thinking about the steerer tube itself turning. Duh.

saw a bike with a setup like that last week. i dunno bout yall but i come from a mtb background so i think a front disc is freaking awesome. there will be a slight weight penalty though, and you can't just slap on any disc brake caliper since you need the appropriate levers for cable pull. the one i saw last week was pretty cool but i think he wasn't using the right lever.

This is all cool and interesting. Does anyone have a favorite carbon road fork that's disk-ready? Would I have to go with a part meant for cyclocross?

http://www.woundupcomposites.com/team_x_disc.html