Hi,

I just upgraded my front wheel from rim to disk brakes with an Avid BB-7 and it is an awesome brake. One of several nice features is being able to adjust the break pad distances on both sides of the disk--very helpful. Just like you said, I think using the same lever, cable and housing is perfectly OK. You’ll probably have to get a new housing and cable to reach down farther, though—but that shouldn’t cost any more than $5 or $6.

People tell me that mechanical disc brakes don't give you the stopping power of hydraulic, which I presume to be the only real advantage. As far as the Avid BB-7 goes, I don’t see there being any advantage of a hydraulic. Once broken in, it now will either lock up my front tire or flip me over the bars before maxing out. Maintenance is easy and just like any other cable component. Hydraulic brings in a whole new set of maintenance issues.