Brake Upgrades :)
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Brake Upgrades :)
I went to the local bike shop today to see what they said about some brake upgrades...my rim brakes are getting pretty worn and I am just not a fan after testing a bike with some decent discs. I asked the guy working if it would be worth it to upgrade to disc brakes and told him I had a Fisher Tassajara. He asked if I had mounts for them on my fork/frame, and if I had the adapters on my wheels, which I do. He said my best bet was a decent pair of mechanical brakes which wouldn't totally break my bank.
Do you guys agree? What do you recommend? I am pretty new to the upgrading and stuff, so I don't know much about what is quality. I guess my price range is pretty flexible...obviously I don't want to spend a huge amount and I don't need the absolute best, just an upgrade over what I have now. I'll be racing this spring/summer, hopefully on my lbs team Thanks!
-Gus
Oh yeah, where is the hot place to buy from?
Do you guys agree? What do you recommend? I am pretty new to the upgrading and stuff, so I don't know much about what is quality. I guess my price range is pretty flexible...obviously I don't want to spend a huge amount and I don't need the absolute best, just an upgrade over what I have now. I'll be racing this spring/summer, hopefully on my lbs team Thanks!
-Gus
Oh yeah, where is the hot place to buy from?
Last edited by tec_41; 03-13-07 at 03:36 PM.
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The brakes for you would be the Avid BB7s. They are the best mechanical disk brakes out there, and I am running them on the rear, while Juicy 7's up front.
There is really no use "upgrading" to ****ty disk brakes such as Tektro.. or even the Hayes MX2s for that manner, because they probably suck more ass than your rim brakes.
The BB7's are just a little bit more pricey than the other lower grade disc brakes but they offer hydraulic-like feel and power. You will notice the difference, especially if you are racing .You can pick BB7's up for like $150USD for F&R on eBay.
BB7's will last you quite a while as a mountain biker improving and they will last you until you really tackle difficult DH courses, in which case you should get 8" hydraulics.
There is really no use "upgrading" to ****ty disk brakes such as Tektro.. or even the Hayes MX2s for that manner, because they probably suck more ass than your rim brakes.
The BB7's are just a little bit more pricey than the other lower grade disc brakes but they offer hydraulic-like feel and power. You will notice the difference, especially if you are racing .You can pick BB7's up for like $150USD for F&R on eBay.
BB7's will last you quite a while as a mountain biker improving and they will last you until you really tackle difficult DH courses, in which case you should get 8" hydraulics.
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pricepoint has pretty good deals on mech. disc brakes as well. they do work great. once you have 'em, you won't want to go back. i think good mech. disc brakes are freakin' awesome, as there really isn't much to worry about after setting them up, besides the occasional adjustment.
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Alright, thanks a lot for the replys! I will definately check around for those BB7'
I will probably have to do 1 wheel at a time...so maybe front first then rear. I just can't drop $150 in a week with my current checks Look good?- https://cgi.ebay.com/Avid-07-BB-7-BB7...QQcmdZViewItem
Also, how hard is it to install these? I'm pretty handy...My other hobbies (Trucks, RC Cars) are all about wrenching.
I will probably have to do 1 wheel at a time...so maybe front first then rear. I just can't drop $150 in a week with my current checks Look good?- https://cgi.ebay.com/Avid-07-BB-7-BB7...QQcmdZViewItem
Also, how hard is it to install these? I'm pretty handy...My other hobbies (Trucks, RC Cars) are all about wrenching.
Last edited by tec_41; 03-13-07 at 08:39 PM.
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+1 on the Avid BB7. Best upgrade I did moving up from the entry-level Shiimano disks that were on my entry-level hardtail. They are definitely easy to install just make sure to follow the instructions carefully.
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Installation-wise, it is very straight forward.. you will need new housings and cables, because that's not usually included with the same. Just bolt on the lever, run the cables through, bolt on the caliper/adapter onto the mounts, and the hard part comes. .TUNING THEM. before you fine tune then.. you will need the break them in, which can be done riding up and down ur street just grabbin the levers, beacuse upon gettin them, their power is no where near enuf to throw you over.. and as you do more and more runs, you will feel them getting more and more powerful.. then it reaches a point where you just need to ride normally (commute) and they will be fully broken in in like a week, then just adjust the pad width to make sure they don't rub but as close to the rotor as possible.
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I agree with the BB7 recommendation on a budget.
Now, as to where to buy them? And you want to race on your LBS's team this summer? Hmmmm, let me think.....how about through your LBS?
If you ask their opinion/recommendation and then show up with discs purchased online or from another shop, then you will hurt your chances of being on that LBS's team.
Trust me, as a long time mechanic, we remember the customers who spend the extra change to suppor the shop. We also know (and remember well) those who waste our time by using us for info and then save $10 by buying somewhere else.
Here's a good tip to getting remembered by your shop in a good way. Buy the BB7's from them and then ask them to "show you" how to install them. Offer a pizza a 6-pack of microbrews as payment for the lesson.
You'll be heralded as "one of the good guys".
Now, as to where to buy them? And you want to race on your LBS's team this summer? Hmmmm, let me think.....how about through your LBS?
If you ask their opinion/recommendation and then show up with discs purchased online or from another shop, then you will hurt your chances of being on that LBS's team.
Trust me, as a long time mechanic, we remember the customers who spend the extra change to suppor the shop. We also know (and remember well) those who waste our time by using us for info and then save $10 by buying somewhere else.
Here's a good tip to getting remembered by your shop in a good way. Buy the BB7's from them and then ask them to "show you" how to install them. Offer a pizza a 6-pack of microbrews as payment for the lesson.
You'll be heralded as "one of the good guys".
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
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I believe everyone agrees that Avid Ball Bearing series is the best mechanical discs out there
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For what it's worth, I went with BB5's front and rear and am very happy with the result. The brakes were $80 total (plus s/h). I also bought the Avid Flak Jackets as recommended.
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Originally Posted by tec_41
Alright, thanks a lot for the replys! I will definately check around for those BB7'
I will probably have to do 1 wheel at a time...so maybe front first then rear. I just can't drop $150 in a week with my current checks Look good?- https://cgi.ebay.com/Avid-07-BB-7-BB7...QQcmdZViewItem
Also, how hard is it to install these? I'm pretty handy...My other hobbies (Trucks, RC Cars) are all about wrenching.
I will probably have to do 1 wheel at a time...so maybe front first then rear. I just can't drop $150 in a week with my current checks Look good?- https://cgi.ebay.com/Avid-07-BB-7-BB7...QQcmdZViewItem
Also, how hard is it to install these? I'm pretty handy...My other hobbies (Trucks, RC Cars) are all about wrenching.
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Well after going through some muddy trails today I decided that I for sure want discs all around...I absolutely HATE how V-brakes make the grinding noise and lose stopping power in mud.
How does upgrading to Avid BB5's for the rears sound? I'm looking maybe to save a few bucks and thought this would be a good way to do that. Opinions?
How does upgrading to Avid BB5's for the rears sound? I'm looking maybe to save a few bucks and thought this would be a good way to do that. Opinions?
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well, first you must check if your rear wheel hub is disc brake ready.
#16
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Originally Posted by tec_41
Well after going through some muddy trails today I decided that I for sure want discs all around...I absolutely HATE how V-brakes make the grinding noise and lose stopping power in mud.
How does upgrading to Avid BB5's for the rears sound? I'm looking maybe to save a few bucks and thought this would be a good way to do that. Opinions?
How does upgrading to Avid BB5's for the rears sound? I'm looking maybe to save a few bucks and thought this would be a good way to do that. Opinions?
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BB7's for a pair are all around $140-150...I paid $72 for a single front one. A single BB5 is only like, $35 or something like that...about half the price of a BB7. So I don't know, I'll look into it.