Disc in front, canti in rear?
02-19-10, 11:41 AM
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Disc in front, canti in rear?
I've never seen this but it would seem to offer [almost] the best of both worlds. Less weight than full disc, yet more stopping power than full canti. Plus, rear rack and fender mounting would be easier. Was gonna post this in touring but I figured commuters see just as much if not more varied conditions (especially snow) as cycle tourists.
After reading threads on disc-equipped rigs like Salsa's new Vaya versus the ubiquitous canti-equipped LHT's and 520's, I thought, why not just a disc on the front where most of the stopping power is generated anyhow?
So have you opted for the front disc on your LHT, 520, or other? Do you prefer that over full canti?
After reading threads on disc-equipped rigs like Salsa's new Vaya versus the ubiquitous canti-equipped LHT's and 520's, I thought, why not just a disc on the front where most of the stopping power is generated anyhow?
So have you opted for the front disc on your LHT, 520, or other? Do you prefer that over full canti?
02-19-10, 12:16 PM
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A rear disc won't need to be disconnected/reconnected when you pull the rear wheel. The weight savings isn't really all the noticable,and if the caliper is mounted on the chainstay then rack/fender mounting isn't an issue. When I was commuting through the DC Snowpocalypse,I was having to drag my brakes down a bunch of hills to keep my speed managable. If I'd had a rim brake on the rear,I would've had to use the front or put some serious wear on the rear pads.
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02-19-10, 12:22 PM
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Cool, thanks dynaryder!
Vbulletin search engine? What's that? Through the magic that is Google, I found this BF thread.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...nt-only-stupid
If anyone wants to chime in further I'd love to hear how this unconventional setup works for you.
Vbulletin search engine? What's that? Through the magic that is Google, I found this BF thread.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...nt-only-stupid
If anyone wants to chime in further I'd love to hear how this unconventional setup works for you.
02-19-10, 12:25 PM
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I have thought of doing the same thing. Most people use their front brake predominantly. Thus it wears on the rim more. Putting discs on the front solves this. You still have your rear backup.
Also, it lets you just switch out the fork to get the disc capability on your frame of choice.
Also, it lets you just switch out the fork to get the disc capability on your frame of choice.
02-19-10, 12:53 PM
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I hated the cantis on my Fuji, especially in the rain...so when I finally got the the point where it was time for a rim replacement, I went whole hawg with disc-hub laced DeepVs, a disc fork and a BB7 for the front.
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02-19-10, 01:01 PM
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A very capable sharp looking machine chip 
My current commuter is an ugly mid-nineties Trek Multicross. It's thief resistant in that regard. I may spring for a disc friendly fork and wheel. Course that new Salsa Vaya is pretty sharp
My current commuter is an ugly mid-nineties Trek Multicross. It's thief resistant in that regard. I may spring for a disc friendly fork and wheel. Course that new Salsa Vaya is pretty sharp
02-19-10, 02:09 PM
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I'm set up disc on the front and rims on the back. Mine are set up that way because I need the stopping power in the winter; rim brakes were not cutting it with freezing rain/etc. But the back brakes aren't that effective anyway, when I'm using them it's usually because I'm on an iffy surface and I don't want to brake hard anyway.
Also, my bike had disc tabs on the front fork, and none on the back, so I was able to switch the front to disc by just buying a new hub and spokes and the actual brake parts. I was even able to reuse the same brake lever since the pull was about the same (Avid BB7).
Also, my bike had disc tabs on the front fork, and none on the back, so I was able to switch the front to disc by just buying a new hub and spokes and the actual brake parts. I was even able to reuse the same brake lever since the pull was about the same (Avid BB7).
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02-19-10, 02:47 PM
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
02-19-10, 06:23 PM
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Replaced the front V-brake with a BB7. The bike came with disc wheels/tabs, so very easy. Original setup presented some issues with crank/brake/brake housing/noodle interference. (Not a issue for the upright commuters above)
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02-19-10, 08:01 PM
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I'm set up disc on the front and rims on the back. Mine are set up that way because I need the stopping power in the winter; rim brakes were not cutting it with freezing rain/etc. But the back brakes aren't that effective anyway, when I'm using them it's usually because I'm on an iffy surface and I don't want to brake hard anyway.
Also, my bike had disc tabs on the front fork, and none on the back, so I was able to switch the front to disc by just buying a new hub and spokes and the actual brake parts. I was even able to reuse the same brake lever since the pull was about the same (Avid BB7).
Also, my bike had disc tabs on the front fork, and none on the back, so I was able to switch the front to disc by just buying a new hub and spokes and the actual brake parts. I was even able to reuse the same brake lever since the pull was about the same (Avid BB7).
02-19-10, 10:43 PM
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I've thought about this but I've heard it's problematic in ice. I don't recall the details but something about not wanting to put weight on the front in icy conditions, it can make you go down quicker I've heard. Usually there is more stopping power in the front but in ice supposedly the rear brake is more important. Anyone else can shed light on this? You can tell I'm waffling a lot as my memory is vague on the topic.
02-19-10, 10:49 PM
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Yah, just don't get a hydro... stick with a mechanical 160mm disc, it has just about the same stopping power as your cantis. So no surprises 
As an aside discs are great in the back also, since the rear wheel always gets contaminated and in general is more of a mess.
As an aside discs are great in the back also, since the rear wheel always gets contaminated and in general is more of a mess.
02-20-10, 05:39 PM
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Nice bike, chip! Looks sorta like my set-up. I like this brake set-up for this commuter/errand-runner/grocery-getter/city cruiser/runabout bike.
It looks like you also have a Surely 1x1 disc. What fender are you using on it that works with disc brake up front?
It looks like you also have a Surely 1x1 disc. What fender are you using on it that works with disc brake up front?
02-20-10, 07:56 PM
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I've got an old HT frame that I just can't seem to let stay retired; it's not disc-ready, so the front disc/rear V setup is the only way to go with it.
The latest rebuild WAS going to be rigid SS, but I ran out of parts money; so it'll be single-ring front, 8-speed rear HT.
Even with a 160 BB7 front, the brakes will be less than I want.
The latest rebuild WAS going to be rigid SS, but I ran out of parts money; so it'll be single-ring front, 8-speed rear HT.
Even with a 160 BB7 front, the brakes will be less than I want.
02-20-10, 08:05 PM
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You can even get the brake-therapy kit to install a disc on the rear... but it is $150 or something for the kit.
02-20-10, 09:12 PM
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02-20-10, 10:05 PM
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