Mountain Biking - Disk brakes: Worth it to do both front/rear?

Well, earlier today I was in a rush after taking a ride, and after loading my bike on top of my car I got distracted and frogot to put my front tyre in. BIG mistake! I ended up drving over it, and bending the rim and breaking 10 spokes! (i've already been ridiculed a lot, so don't start! :p)

So, I have now decided I am going to replace (as I have to) the wheel, but have no idea where to start. As I was drving home I had a idea: why not use this as a excuse to go to disk brakes?

FYI, my bike is a 2 year old Stumpjumper Comp which I have upgraded to full new XTR components (Rear derailer, Front derailer, cassette, Crankset, Gear Shifters/brake lever combo). I origionally upgraded the brakes from the stock brakes, but I was unhappy with the XTR V-brake performance so I am using the stock ones right now.

Now, I am, and have been forever a car nut (I currently own a '98 Impreza RS with a JDM STi swap currently putting down ~425hp at the wheels :eek: as well as a 2003 WRX wagon) and on cars the more front braking performance the better. My riding style also uses a lot more front than rear brake, and I am a cross-country rider so that plays into it. My question is: Would it be bad to only upgrade to front disk brakes and leave the rear V-brakes? I would be upgrading to some type of Hydralic disk, and would eventually upgrade the rears but I am already going to be diving into my "fix broken ****" fund which has been depleted by car problems in the last month.

So do you think it is a bad idea to run simply front Hydralics for a month or two? Or should I just replace the wheel with another V-brake wheel? TIA
Cheers
-Jeff
www.i-club.com Staff Member

damn.....JDM makes some nice stuff. Got any pics of that Impreza? :D Id run front hydros for a month or too until you have the cash for a rear one.

A lot of people (incluing myself) have run front discs with good results. You will get hooked ;) The back is good too, but the dramatic difference is front control. Try it and enjoy.

A lot of people (incluing myself) have run front discs with good results. You will get hooked ;) The back is good too, but the dramatic difference is front control. Try it and enjoy.

Ditto...(worthwhile post eh?)

I don't think I need a back disc brake...but I have it so I use it. I use my front brake primarily...so upgrade it :-D

My bike wont even allow a V brake, so Im forced to run a rear disc. Im really considering buying a better rear now because of wheelies.

Why are you using your brakes doing wheelies?

why, how do you do them? You need brakes to regulate falling backwards i mostly use body english, but brakes play a big part in keeping them on the right level

Why are you using your brakes doing wheelies?
The same reason when I go over my handlebars I grab a handful of front brake :rolleyes:

I can mono without brakes, but no where near as well with them, if I'm about to go backwards I'll feather it to bring the front down a bit. When manualing (I'm still learning) I need my rear brake otherwise I'd kill myself :P

The same reason when I go over my handlebars I grab a handful of front brake :rolleyes:

Then you are using the wrong gear or pedaling wrong. You should be able to wheelie without using a brake ESPECIALLY the power of a disc brake.

I can mono without brakes, but no where near as well with them, if I'm about to go backwards I'll feather it to bring the front down a bit. When manualing (I'm still learning) I need my rear brake otherwise I'd kill myself :P

But its amazing to watch those guys who can manual just kind of hanging out not using a brake. I have dreams of getting that good (seriously...real dream....8 hours of manualling)

Then you are using the wrong gear or pedaling wrong. You should be able to wheelie without using a brake ESPECIALLY the power of a disc brake.
thats why i dont want to get a new rear brake, the mx2 is just weak enought to give good wheely control

If the frame has the rear disc tabs -do both.
You usually buy levers in pairs.
Only tabs on the fork =just front disc, be o'k.

Can't imagine an 03 bike not having the tabs...mind you un-used bosses look worse than unused disc tabs.

Yes I care about looks like having useless metal anchors off the frame.

I'm a front and rear man too.

Might as well go ahead and do both... If you're absolutely determined to go hydro, my vote goes for the Avid Juicy 7's. If you're willing to get mechs, the BB7's will suit you just fine.

I'd lean towards the Avid Mechs myself. I love mine

The price difference is huge and I don't think it's justified. I was just saying that if the original poster is hellbent on hydros, the Juicy 7's appear to be the way to go.

The price difference is huge and I don't think it's justified. I was just saying that if the original poster is hellbent on hydros, the Juicy 7's appear to be the way to go.
No dispute. Just posting a preference

Avid mechs with good lever bodies (if you don't have them which I don't for example) would cost more than hayes hydros. :) The only way avids are value added are if you have pre-existing levers.

Then you are using the wrong gear or pedaling wrong. You should be able to wheelie without using a brake ESPECIALLY the power of a disc brake.

While doing a wheelie down a hill at like 20+ mph, falling off the back isnt pleasant. ;)

My M475 POS Shimano Cable disc sucks my left nut. I would take a set of Promax V-brakes for the rear anyday. I want to move to hydraulics, but its more money than I can pay right now. There are other things I need to take care of first; QR20 lowers, new saddle, bashguard. Im planning on getting another avid to match it up.

Btw, WTF? They used to be $69!: http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.aspx?i=BR707C02

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm?stylepkey=12605&detailName=Avid%20Mechanical%20BB7%20Ball%20Bearing%20Disc%20Brake%20160mm&style_id=115%20AVDMD3&dept_id=&deptName=&sub_id=&subName=&lprice=69.98&hprice=69.98

While doing a wheelie down a hill at like 20+ mph, falling off the back isnt pleasant. ;)

My M475 POS Shimano Cable disc sucks my left nut. I would take a set of Promax V-brakes for the rear anyday. I want to move to hydraulics, but its more money than I can pay right now. There are other things I need to take care of first; QR20 lowers, new saddle, bashguard. Im planning on getting another avid to match it up.

Btw, WTF? They used to be $69!: http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.aspx?i=BR707C02
That's what you get for going with Jenson Although you can sodomize them on the pricematch because Jenson will give you free shipping

That's what you get for going with Jenson Although you can sodomize them on the pricematch because Jenson will give you free shipping

Sweet! So you're saying I get free shipping for my whole purchase just for pricematching one item?

I get $250 tomorrow from allowance that my dad owes me and Ill be buying the new lowers for my Z1 (they can sell the 05 20mm bolt ons now!) and new tires.

Sweet! So you're saying I get free shipping for my whole purchase just for pricematching one item?

I get $250 tomorrow from allowance that my dad owes me and Ill be buying the new lowers for my Z1 (they can sell the 05 20mm bolt ons now!) and new tires.
No. That isn't what I'm saying. That particular item already has free shipping. If you price match them against Pricepoint they have to give you the Pricepoint price AND the free shipping.

damn.....JDM makes some nice stuff. Got any pics of that Impreza? :D Id run front hydros for a month or too until you have the cash for a rear one.

I'll try and snap some and post them up here ;)


I have decided I'm going to run just a front disk set up and see how that goes for a while. If I feel I end up needing the rears, then I'll buy them in a couple months.
-Jeff