Dsic brake conversion
#4
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You can switch to a disc fork easily and then buy just a disc front wheel and your disc caliper of choice. That's what many of us have done. I then welded a disc tab on the rear of my frame for a rear disc.
#5
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Short answer: yes.
Longer answer: yes BUT, you need new hubs, a new fork, either a new frame or an adapter to mount the caliper on your seatstay, the brakes themselves and possibly new brake levers. One other requirement: money.
Longer answer: yes BUT, you need new hubs, a new fork, either a new frame or an adapter to mount the caliper on your seatstay, the brakes themselves and possibly new brake levers. One other requirement: money.
#6
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Thanks for the replies. After I posted I ran across this site which claims to have a product that allows ANY bike to be converted to disc brakes. Any one have experience with this setup?
https://therapycomponents.com/conversion.htm
https://therapycomponents.com/conversion.htm
#7
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Seen then and don't like them just because they look so kludgey.
Financial aspects come into the issue as well. You obviously have an older bike without discs, disc fork or disc mounts. By the time you add up all the things you'll need to make this happen you'll be up close to the cost of a bike that has discs already.
Clean up the old bike so it's nice and shiney and then sell it and use the money to upgrade to a disc equipped bike. Add up all the things you'll need and see how the costs stack up.
Versus what you can sell your old bike for and the extra needed to buy a new bike.
Financial aspects come into the issue as well. You obviously have an older bike without discs, disc fork or disc mounts. By the time you add up all the things you'll need to make this happen you'll be up close to the cost of a bike that has discs already.
Clean up the old bike so it's nice and shiney and then sell it and use the money to upgrade to a disc equipped bike. Add up all the things you'll need and see how the costs stack up.
- Disc wheelset.
- Disc brake set
- New disc compatible fork
- Therapy conversion or if the frame is steel having a frame guy fabricate and braze on a disc mount.
Versus what you can sell your old bike for and the extra needed to buy a new bike.
#8
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Thanks BCRider,
This is actually a brand new bike, a Sun Sport recumbent. the two main reasons I'd like disc brakes is I'm converting it to an eBike so it will be capable of more speed and acceleration than normal which in my mind requires more stopping power, and I live in Seattle where it's been known to rain, from time to time. Of course, being from BC you no doubt are familiar with rain too.
I think if I could convert even the front brake to disc I'd be better off.
Here's a link to the Cro-Mo version of the bike, I have the AX aluminum version.
https://www.easyracers.com/09-ez_sport_cx.htm
This is actually a brand new bike, a Sun Sport recumbent. the two main reasons I'd like disc brakes is I'm converting it to an eBike so it will be capable of more speed and acceleration than normal which in my mind requires more stopping power, and I live in Seattle where it's been known to rain, from time to time. Of course, being from BC you no doubt are familiar with rain too.
I think if I could convert even the front brake to disc I'd be better off.
Here's a link to the Cro-Mo version of the bike, I have the AX aluminum version.
https://www.easyracers.com/09-ez_sport_cx.htm
#9
Senior Member
Ouch... that's going to change things a bit. First off you'll need to find a set of suitable forks with disc mounts. I'm pretty sure we all thought you had an upright bike and were basing all the suggestions on that. Finding a disc fork in that size AND with the extended steer tube may be a big issue. I don't see any disc front option on any bike in their lineup so it's not just a case of ordering a fork from them.
The project is still doable but it looks like it would require some custom work and welding or brazing. Along with that you're talking about a custom wheel build in all likelyhood since there's not many 16 and 20 inch wheels with disc compatible hubs.
And yeah, we pretty much share the same rain what with us both being in the Pacific North"Wet" region....
The project is still doable but it looks like it would require some custom work and welding or brazing. Along with that you're talking about a custom wheel build in all likelyhood since there's not many 16 and 20 inch wheels with disc compatible hubs.
And yeah, we pretty much share the same rain what with us both being in the Pacific North"Wet" region....
#10
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Disc brake forks are significantly different from caliper brake forks and it's more than just having the caliper mount. The forces a disc brake puts on the fork are far different than those a caliper brake does and the fork must be designed with them in mind.
#11
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Sounds like this isn't a slam dunk. I see HillRider's point about the different forces, while the overall force may be the same, the fulcrum is clearly different, if that's not designed into the fork I can see a bad situation. I may need to reconsider this.
#13
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You don't need a disc in front. I have a grr with vbrakes and a disc in back. no problems stopping with v's in back though it is a little nicer with the disc in back.
even with all my weight I don't have any stopping issues. not even in Portland. so far I don't think easy racer has made a disc brake front fork. I would like a disc on front just so I have the same brakes front and back.
but you can put better vbrakes on to get the most stopping power. better levers would make a difference too.
even with all my weight I don't have any stopping issues. not even in Portland. so far I don't think easy racer has made a disc brake front fork. I would like a disc on front just so I have the same brakes front and back.
but you can put better vbrakes on to get the most stopping power. better levers would make a difference too.
#14
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Fyi....
REI.com has Avid 5 front and rear disc kits for under $30 each. Levers and brake cables not included.
REI.com has Avid 5 front and rear disc kits for under $30 each. Levers and brake cables not included.
#15
Senior Member
Do you have an 80 or 100mm front hub? That may limit choices in aftermarket disc-brake hubs...