Originally Posted by
drbenjamin
Hey Geo - thanks for the encouragement! I'll see if they fit when I get my hub
I am using a stock Avid BB7 kit, with the included 160mm disc. In the winters it is vastly superior to rim brakes. In summertime the braking is also fine, but I find on long descents that I use my rear rim brake a lot. Mostly because I get chicken when I can smell the heat coming off that front disc!
I'm using BB5s, 160 front, 140 rear. I got the 140 rear because of novelty. It has plenty of power for the rear.
I would have got BB7s but I didn't realize they existed, BB7s are stronger, for sure.
To get the most out of the BB5s I've learned to keep them adjusted as close to the rotor as possible. Also, to have a little more of the inboard pad showing than the outboard pad, with the brake applied.
Set up that way I get a really firm lever feel and good power and modulation.
Abuse that front brake, it's not likely that you could make it overheat and fade on the road. I've used them for years on MTBs and have found them to be reliable.