Originally Posted by
MichaelW
...Disc brake units are not designed for chainstay mounting so the cable run is at the wrong angle. As this mount becomes more common, I imagine that Avid will make a road version for this location
...Is there any debate regarding ISO vs post mount?...
...Pads are easy to carry and can be quite cheap. In the UK we have a "no-brand" brand called Superstar who sell pads from the same Chinese factories as everyone else, at a fraction of the price of Shimano/Avid.
...Cantis are going out of fashion and sooner or later, will drop out of the market altogether.
Housing/cable bends enough for a chainstay-mounted disc brake. The bending radius is the same or greater than that of typical rear derailleur cable/housing turn. Avid has made a road version of the BB7 since ~2008. It looks the same as the mtb brake in black, but comes in silver, so it's easy to tell them apart.
Post-mounting looks nicer than ISO and eliminates a few parts and a little weight. It does so at the expense of a loss of adjustment and greater chance that something may require corrective fiddling. Posts need to be perpendicular to the axle for the brake to mount properly. The 2 post-mount forks I own were fine and required no fiddling. Obviously all the good Taiwanese shops use a fixture to attach the disc mount to the fork leg. The worst-case scenario means a visit to the LBS with a post facing tool to perform a bit of corrective grinding.
I've used non-Avid brand disc brake pads too, mine seem to work as well as Avid.
Canti brakes are unlikely to disappear. They can work pretty good for their weight, they are compatible with standard drop bar levers and brifters, they have good fender clearance and are one of the least expensive brakes to manufacture.
Originally Posted by
DropBarFan
...I was under impression the BB7 rotors (as well as all disc rotors) were easy to remove/install. Googling that now it's not clear, apparently one needs a Torx wrench & also specifically a Torx torque wrench? I usually carry a good helping of small tools, probably more than I need...but tools are kind of heavy...seems like a long and/or torque wrench would be sort of heavy. Had no idea that some rotors required a vise, that's no fun on the road!
Which brings me to your comfort note: some anti-disc tourers note that stiff disc-designed forks would cause a harsher ride.
BB7s are simple to install, setup and maintain - it's as easy as any brake, and for many owners easier than rim brakes. The Torx wrench required for install is included in the retail package, or you could buy a size T25 torx wrench/driver/bit set at any Lowes/Home Depot/hardware store (everyone needs a set of Torx wrenches nowadays). A torque wrench is not required for installation, and I've never needed a vice for disc brakes. Here's all you need to know about BB7 brakes:
http://www.sram.com/service/avid/283
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-...isc-adjustment
If you have to use/carry a torque wrench, this one is ideal for size and weight:
http://www.parktool.com/product/ratc...ue-wrench-tw-5
Straight steel forks transmit more road shock to the bicyclist than more traditional steel forks with a bend. You'll notice this if you swap bikes back and forth, even with large tires.