Hi Guys,

Just starting to build my own bike and I'm just curious if anyone has any comments on a front disc brake and rear v-brake setup on a bike.

Here's the setup I plan to use:
Front: XT disc hub w/Mavic 317 using Avid mechanical
Rear: XT hub w/Mavic 519 using XT V-brakes

Few reasons why I'm doing this:
-In cars, the front wheels do most of the braking, so I assume that holds true for bikes and that's why the disc setup in the front.
-Since the rear brakes easily locks up if brake lever is pulled hard enough, I can save $$$ and weight by using v-brakes on the rear.
-The disc setup makes the bike look better.

Anyone have any comments on this setup? Any reasons why I shouldn't go along with this?

Thx!

point 1 - you are a absolutely right
point 2 - you are right V's can be setup to be just as powerful. There are points for both. The fade quicker but are lighter. The pads wear quicker on v's but the pads cost way more on discs. Kind of a personal thing based on the type of riding you do and how wet/muddy it will be
point 3 - damn straight

No reason you can't do it that way.

sounds like a good plan to me man, go for it and let us know how it turns out. i would just go with disc brakes front and rear though since i don't think it'd save that much money... if that's even an issue.

I'm assuming that your frame doesn't have a disc mount?

I ride in the mud too much. Did you see the thread about the rim that exploded from excessive wear from the pads touching the rim? If you ride in dry conditions, I suppose you'll be okay with that setup, but I don't see any reason NOT to use discs on the rear. Not but so much heavier, and you'll be happier in the long run with the performance I think.

It does have a disc mount.

Yep, I read that post. I suppose that's a valid reason for me to get a dual disc setup.

My son has been using a Hayes mech disc in front with v-brake in the rear for a year with no performance complaints. We used a mech so he can use the same levers for front and rear. He has no disc mount on the frame though.

I've just done the same thing. Avid mechs up front on an XT Rhyno Lite wheel and XT V brakes on the back (partly because my older frame doesn't have the bosses for rr disk and partly for cost). My reasoning was exactly the same as yours; 70 to 80% of braking is up front, front disk looks cool, and the v's are plenty strong to lock the back wheel with some eventual fading. My bike is in the back of my truck right now and I'm planning on an early escape from work today for my innaugural ride with this brake setup. I'll let you know how it goes. BTW what should I know about disk brake break-in periods?

It can take quite a while for the pads to brake in..... that's pretty much all.

You'll actually noticed improved braking from the start to the end of your ride. One good ride is usually all it takes. If there is a long downhill section, ride (drag) the front (disc) break a bit, and by the bottom, it should be broken in fine!

The only issue with front disc, rear vee that I consider as valid, albeit minimal, is "LEVER FEEL". Like I said, not a big deal, but the front and rear brakes will "feel" different at the lever! Something you'll get used to in no time at all!

L8R

If your frame supports the rear disc brake setup, would you go for it?

Is it worth the hassle of what some people are experiencing with the warped rotors?

Thx!

Not if your rotors warp But a few people having problems doesn't mean you will. I wouldn't worry about it.

Warped rotors are nothing. You get a little squeeling. Big deal. Discs are worth it and if you know how to bend metal than straighening a rotor is easy. I really don't understand people's adversity to rubbing...sheesh

Well...because rubbing slows you down. Sure, not a lot, but it does. Same thing with extra weight - not a big deal, but every little bit counts.

This is coming from a XC riding/weight weenie perspective...carry on.

Ahh now I see the difference...Weight means nothing and the 1 km per hour a little rubbing cause never killed anyone...

I have both front and rear disk brakes (Shimano M475's stock on a Kona Nunu) and I've had rubbing problems on the rear brake. I thought it might be because of the amount of twisting pressure at the rear dropout and because I only hear the rubbing after hard pedaling. I agree that the rubbing is minor and the stopping power is profound but I'd still change out to rear V brakes if I only had the bosses for them (the Nunu has no rim brake bosses-- unbelievable!). I can't put a conventional rack in the rear because my disk brakes block the eyelets.

On the new bike that I'm planning I will definitely go with disk in the front, V in the rear setup. I find that I don't apply the two brakes the same way anyway so the different "feels" are ok to me. I'm going with a Rohloff Speedhub so I'll have nothing hanging around on the rear of the bike. Very clean-- and quite expensive....

When I was putting together my new bike (that I still haven't ridden), I had an option to go with disks. Due to the type of terrain that I ride and that I only ride singletrack, it just wasn't worth it to me. I'm happy with the feel of the Paul's brakes over with the possible XT disks that I could have used. I have only exploded two rims in my life, so unless I keep going through them it's just not worth it to me.

i think that im going to go disks up frnt on my single speed so i can do awesome nose manuals

I already do good nose manuals with v brakes but i know disk is 10 times better

What you are saying makes sense, and if you are happy with that setup go with it. Don't want to start a can of worms again, but have you researched into front Quick release with Disc brakes. Depending on the view that you take, the safe way to go with front discs is not with a quick release. Bolt through axle is the safe way.
Don't know how the weight distribution is on your bike, but I wear out rear pads quicker than fronts. So where do I want the powerful Brake? My only experience with powerful front wheel braking cost me a new helmet after the endo that followed. (On tarmac when a dog ran out)

Good thinking there even if someone else thought of it before

Front disc - rear V-brake is a very common setup. Heck, even I did that. One thing thou. Consider putting some hydro disc brake up front. I know many guys here are sold out to avid mechs but mechanical brakes will never be as good as hydros. look for some Maguras, and if u saved enough $$$ on rear brake look for old XT set.

not neccessarily. Well set up Vs, in dry conditions will give u more stopping power then many disc brakes. it is a wide spread myth that all discs are more powerfull then Vs - they are better in wet and muddy conditions but when its dry, theres more cons then pros.

www.cambriabike.com had a good deal on a Magura front hydraulic disc before Christmas. Something like $69.00 Don't know if it's still avail.

L8R

Yep. Still available, go to https://www.cambriabike.com/SALE/brakes/index.htm
scroll down to Magura (listed alphabetically).

L8R