I have a few noob questions about disc brakes
 

So at this point it looks like I'm getting a late 90's specialized frame for my urban assault bike. I'm 99.99% sure these bikes never had disc brakes as an option, but rather they would have used V-brakes. However, it seems that I can find disc brake wheelsets for cheap such as these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mavic-X117-Disc-...QQcmdZViewItem

As well as numerous others.

Here is where I'm confused: Where does one mount the brake caliper? Can I use it on any old frame as long as the wheels are compatible? Can I use normal cables and brake levers for these?

I don't need them really, but I just figure why not.

if your already completely setup with v brake, dont switch. The caliper mounts to the frame in two holes above the rear dropouts, the one in the front mount on the fork. Most likely a late 90's frame will not have these holes for calipers. So i wouldnt bother any farther. If you do though, cables can be used for cable disc brake calipers, dont bother with hydraulics since you dont know enough about disc brakes yet.

Alright that's what I figured. The bike isn't set up with anything at the moment but I have a decent set of v's I can take off a destroyed bike.

Any suggestions on v-brake wheels, or should I go to the LBS and ask for the house special? (I think they carry bontrager here).

while it would be the best option, you will pay more at your LBS, so ask what they got thats any good, use up their time, walk out of their shop buying nothing, then find the same pair on ebay for half price.



MWUAHAHA

Search the web and Ebay- you should be able to get a great deal on v-brakes, since they are so out of date anymore- say XT or XTR's.

I wouldnt go that heavy unless your really serious, you will still pay out the nose for XT or XTR

I try to support them when I can, but sometimes it's hard to justify spending as much as they mark up on some stuff :(

I'm not gonna lie to you guys, the bike won't see any heavy duty trail riding. I'm definitely going to beat on it, but I doubt it will be anything like what some of you do. I can get away with cheaper wheels..

sry im sour to my LBS, they are jerks there.

lol I'm sure it's hit and miss. The people here are patient and helpful, and they've yet to be a-holes. They've helped me find some really really obscure stuff for some of my road bikes :D

Defintely, i ride some serious "pieces" and im fine taking 7 foot drops, and weigh about 150.

Yeah, hard to cough up 30 bucks... :rolleyes:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...0+V-Brake.aspx

No joke, the LBS i go to has a policy that they dont give away boxes. They also charge above MSRP for their items and act like its a chore when you ask them anything about their bikes. Out of the whole shop i think only one guy actually bikes.

Thanks for the link... now can you find WHEELS that cost that much? :o

7 feet is intense... I don't think I have the balls to do half that (mt bike noob)

My bad, i was refering to a wheelset.

It isnt that bad, its like diving off a high board or something. Once your in the air it just happens. It helps to have a bike that feels sturdy. I ride 6 inches of dual travel which isnt nearly neccesary for drops but adds alot of confidence.

What's your bike setup for doing 7 foot drops? Frame? Fork?

Specialized enduro, with manitou nixon platinum 145mm (No, its not standard manitou, its one of the few manitous that actually work, yet ironically its still not popular) (and my bad, its 4 inch travel in the rear, fox float R) with hydraulic brakes (they really do matter on drops)

I lust for an Enduro.

Take a look around, there are deals to be found.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+Wheelset.aspx

That's not terrible. So are those like the cheapest acceptable wheels? lol

mazdaspeed-

That's about as good as it gets for inexpensive decent wheels. Buy 'em.

There is a way; and I'll show you when you get the frame (BTW, I misspoke; it may be more mid-(?) than late-90s - - it does have a 1 1/8" head tube, though).

It will require a little fabrication work with some 6061 aluminum angle, but you can fabricate a "sharkfin" - - a bracket that attaches to the dropout or the axle and runs up to the left V-brake boss. If you build it right, there will be a spot you can drill for your caliper mount. Specialized used a nicely-forged and formed sharkfin for the early FSRs that did not have built-in disc tabs.

I think I see what you mean. I might just scratch the disc idea to save some cash and get the bike up and running (riding?), I'll have to think about it.