frejus

Hi ya!

I'm preparing to build up my first wheel, which I'm super duper excited about, as this opens up a whole new world of possibilities for me with my two fixie conversions. So now I'm entertaining this idea I've been playing with for a while: sticking a disk brake on the front (my first wheel isn't going to be this wacky, but I'm thinking down the road). I thought this might be handy in Seattle where I really don't use my current brake unless I want to stop abruptly on a steep hill, and with autumn rains coming (theoretically), I like the idea of the extra oomph. However, while there are plenty of other people who run front brakes on their fixies around here, I haven't seen anyone with a disc.

So here's my question: Is a front disc brake on a fixed gear just a stupid idea?

Thanks bunches for any guidance!

dolface

i think it would be ok, as long as your fork can take it, but i don't think it's going to give you any more stopping power. a caliper brake on the front is plenty to flip you over the bars if you're not careful.

el twe

/\

Exactly. But hey, I think it'd be kinda cool. I think I've seen it on the FGG before...

desire

i have only seen one fixed geared bike in london with a disc brake and i thought it looked o.k.
but as dolface said 'a front caliper would probably give you more than enough stopping power' but it is your decision at the end of the day.
i suppose it would save wearing out your rim.

dustinlikewhat

I love disc brakes, but disc brakes put alot of stress on the spokes since the stopping power is at the hub and not the rim. so no radial laced front wheel with disc. also make sure that your brake levers will work with disc's, most road brake lever's won't, but there are some cyclo cross levers designed to do this...

best of all disc brakes allow you to run non-machined rims.

YoHeartFrijoles

One of the guys that works at Independent Fabrication runs that set-up. He went with the offset fork and Phil Wood hub. It's straight mustard. Then again he works for a builder so he's not playing around. I say you go for it.

frejus

Sweet! Thanks so much!

Oh, speaking of rims, since all the force is down at the hub, does rim choice matter? Or can I just toss any old sexy thing on there without sacrificing integrity?

dustinlikewhat

double wall, reinfoced nipple eyelets.

KEB

Here's one from FGG:
https://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/c/olsson.htm

bostontrevor

There are plenty of discable SS frames that don't require that freakshow retrofit brake. The important thing is to get a fork that's designed for a disc brake. There are still plenty of CX forks out there with disc tabs and appropriate strength (even though they're not UCI legal and I believe the USCF allowance officially expired this year).

Brad: you learned all that while we were at IF? Man, I was just taking pictures of the damn Merlin sign.

SSSasky

Avid makes a road version of their cable brake caliper, although I think Brant at On One mentioned successfully running their standard caliper with aero levers. That may have been at the MTBR board though--I don't think he posts here.

In say go for it. You could get a deep-v without machined sidewalls. Tres sexy.

crushkilldstroy

soooooo shiny.

also, i want this wrench.



(i have nothing valid to contribute to this conversation.)

p3ntuprage

[i've said it before and i'll say it again:]

if you have enough braking power to lock the front and/or lift the rear, then you already have more than enough braking power.

you need to think about changing your tyres [to something softer] or your weight distribution [sit up or move the saddle back].

pretty much the only reason to change to discs is for better modulation ie. a smooth gradient of braking power instead of a binary on/off. [which might stop you locking the front and lifting the rear]

the other is low maintainence.

but if you want to, go for it. there are plenty of cx forks out there ready for discs.

personally, i have fantasies about the pace rc31.

fsnl
sparky

bostontrevor

disc has the advantage of faring better in wet, dirty, and/or freezing conditions.

Of course properly setup cantis perform pretty similarly.

Me, I'm happy with my sidepull calipers.

dolface

i want that wrench too. anyone know what it is, or maybe it's a custom job?

ryan_c

It's awesome, but the funny thing about it is that you need an allen to get it off - you need one tool to access another. Nonetheless, pretty trick. I would try to get bolts with a wingnut type end on them so you could take it off with your hands. Or, just back some wingnuts down onto normal braze-on bolts.

Grunk

I put together a conversion for the winter with a disc. Here's the specs and pics:

Frame: Raleigh Super Super Course Mk II
Fork: Ebay cyclocross disc only fork (I think its the same as those Nashbar ones)
Brake: Avid Mechanical Disc
Front Wheel: Salsa Delgado Cross rim / Surly Disc Hub 36h
Rear Wheel: Sun CR18 Rim / IRO hub 32h
Cranks: Truvativ 170s
Gearing: 39/19 (probably a little low for a commuter)

bostontrevor

Just get bottle cage screws with the knurled surface and you can screw them in/out without a tool. If you're concerned, you might be able to use a set of DT shifter screws with the little bale through the cap for extra leverage.

rithem

anybody know what the deal with the caliper mount is? ... never come across that kind of set up before, looks pretty rad.

*new*guy

That's a really sharp looking bike. I'm a sucker for the CSC color scheme tho.

2manybikes

Those bolts would be awesome in that application. I guess that bike never gets left alone anyway. It had a quick release front wheel too. I would be afraid to leave it for a second.

2manybikes

Probably made by someone with access to a machine shop. Very easy with the right tools.

riderx

It's homemade. While well done, I would not trust the fork to be able to stand up to those stresses it was never designed for.

rithem

looks like it is mounted at fender braze on ... I would be a little sketched even with that beefy clamp on the fork.

deadly downtube

kinda ugly in my opinion...
i've almost flipped the bars skipping and pulling the front at the same time, disc brakes lock up the wheel crazy style, be careful!