General Disk Brake questions
 

Hello again. I'm building up a hardtail for XC riding/racing and using all XT components. When reading the reviews of the XT v-brakes, I saw some major complaints about squealing and many people recommended going with disks. The number one recommendation, by far, was for the Avid Mechanical disks so I looked into them. I'm surprised at how relatively inexpensive and simple they are and REALLY suprised by the shear number of glowing reviews. Ok, I'm almost sold but I know NOTHING about disks so I'd like to ask some general questions.

- Will Avid Mechanical brakes work with standard XT V-brake levers?
- How can I ensure they will fit on my frame and fork? Both have disk brake mounts but I can't find any information on the bolt patterns to see if they'll fit.
- Should I buy disk-specific rims or stick with standard rims in case I ever go back to rim brakes? What's the advantage to disk-specific rims over rim-brake rims?

TIA!

1 - yes they should. Still cable actuated
2 - Email Avid or the bike company or both. You might need adaptors depending on the type of configuation
3 - disc specific are built to widthstand the pressures of disc breaks (imagine the torque on the wheel using discs of v's) however I wouldn't worry to much about it initially. Maybe next set, once you know you like discs, get disc specific rims.

This is weird--I'm in the middle of doing the same thing. I went with an XT build with XT hydraulic brakes. They came highly recommended by the shop where I'm getting the bike. I figured I might as well get discs--it's cheaper to do it now (no retrofit costs), and althought they're more complex, the consensus was that they'd perform better for what I'll be doing. Good luck with your bike!

Also spokes get damaged torque'd from improper use of disc brakes. At one point a lot of mine were loose on the disc's side. of the wheel.

I'm one of the glowing review types... I love my Avid mechanicals (2004, not the newer ones with two different models)

1. Yes.
2. The Avid mechanicals fit various mounts. They are very standard as far as the mounting bracket is concerned, and should fit most bikes. quoted:
3. I would, personally. I'm planning to replace my stock Alexrims with a set of Singletrack/XTs (wheelset) for a pretty good price. I don't know how much of a difference there really is, but they exist for a reason.

One thing to keep in mind is that newer XT hubs have a splined interface for the rotors. The Avids come with a six bolt pattern. I'm sure you can still find older XT hubs with the six bolt pattern though, they're not that old yet.......

If you're a weight weenie, you may want to stick with V-brakes, the Avids are a little heavy.
Lastly, if you go disc, definitely run full length brake housing. I made the switch to Avid disc's at the beginning of the year and they are simply amazing.

Dean

There is an adaptor to make the splined work with 6hole.

Hmm... I didn't know that...... I guess it makes sense that someone would make something like that though. I guess you could always buy Shimano rotors and run them with the Avid calipers too....

Also, disc rims can be built stronger because their design is not compromised by the need for rim braking surfaces. I'm not sure about the extra torque load.

When I bought my softail a year ago, I convinced the shop to buy back the hydraulic brakes so I could could use the old Avid mechanicls off my hardtail. Their simplicity makes them easier to adjust and maintain than V-brakes. Since I ride mostly in N Florida, they don't get used hard enough to keep the pads burnished so they work about as well as a good set of V's. However, after a single down-hill run in Unicoi or Bull Mountain (N Georgia), you get far superior braking then V's.

Al

Yes, standard XT V-brake levers will work fine with the BB7 mechs... Avid even says that you have to use a v-brake lever with them. Personally I would go with a set of SD7's or SD-SL's. As far as XT hubs go, I would go with the XT 6-bolt hub, which they DO make. Only the XTR does not come in a 6 bolt variety. The XT's can be had in splined or 6-bolt mount. Go ahead and go with a disc rim because I'd be willing to bet once you throw a set of BB7's on your bike, you'll never go back to rim brakes. The Mavic XC717 seems to be a great disc rim as long as you don't plan on doing any DJ or FR stuff. A set of XT hubs and XC717 disc rims with good spokes should be a wheelset that will last you a good long time. :) On a side note, I'm actually working on going AWAY from all shimano parts and switching over to mostly SRAM parts. Avid is actually owned by SRAM, for those of you that didn't know. I've been eyeballing the X-9 component set for after I get my wheelset.