My first winter commuting I was running V brakes. I'll never do that again. And I'll gleefully enter into a flame war with anyone who disses discs. They're superior,end of story.

BTW,got some updates for the first page:

Schwinn DBX - if by rack mount you mean rear braze-ons,yes. Tire clearance should be at least 35's,maybe as big as 38's.

Novara Element - yes rear eyelets,just in a bad spot. Tire clearance is 32 for cross tires,maybe a little bigger with slicks.