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Disk brakes: Worth it to do both front/rear?

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Old 02-10-05, 05:39 PM
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Disk brakes: Worth it to do both front/rear?

Well, earlier today I was in a rush after taking a ride, and after loading my bike on top of my car I got distracted and frogot to put my front tyre in. BIG mistake! I ended up drving over it, and bending the rim and breaking 10 spokes! (i've already been ridiculed a lot, so don't start! )

So, I have now decided I am going to replace (as I have to) the wheel, but have no idea where to start. As I was drving home I had a idea: why not use this as a excuse to go to disk brakes?

FYI, my bike is a 2 year old Stumpjumper Comp which I have upgraded to full new XTR components (Rear derailer, Front derailer, cassette, Crankset, Gear Shifters/brake lever combo). I origionally upgraded the brakes from the stock brakes, but I was unhappy with the XTR V-brake performance so I am using the stock ones right now.

Now, I am, and have been forever a car nut (I currently own a '98 Impreza RS with a JDM STi swap currently putting down ~425hp at the wheels as well as a 2003 WRX wagon) and on cars the more front braking performance the better. My riding style also uses a lot more front than rear brake, and I am a cross-country rider so that plays into it. My question is: Would it be bad to only upgrade to front disk brakes and leave the rear V-brakes? I would be upgrading to some type of Hydralic disk, and would eventually upgrade the rears but I am already going to be diving into my "fix broken ****" fund which has been depleted by car problems in the last month.

So do you think it is a bad idea to run simply front Hydralics for a month or two? Or should I just replace the wheel with another V-brake wheel? TIA
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Old 02-10-05, 06:23 PM
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damn.....JDM makes some nice stuff. Got any pics of that Impreza? Id run front hydros for a month or too until you have the cash for a rear one.
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Old 02-10-05, 06:33 PM
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A lot of people (incluing myself) have run front discs with good results. You will get hooked The back is good too, but the dramatic difference is front control. Try it and enjoy.
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Old 02-10-05, 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by mtbikerinpa
A lot of people (incluing myself) have run front discs with good results. You will get hooked The back is good too, but the dramatic difference is front control. Try it and enjoy.
Ditto...(worthwhile post eh?)
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Old 02-10-05, 07:53 PM
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I don't think I need a back disc brake...but I have it so I use it. I use my front brake primarily...so upgrade it :-D
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Old 02-10-05, 10:06 PM
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My bike wont even allow a V brake, so Im forced to run a rear disc. Im really considering buying a better rear now because of wheelies.
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Old 02-10-05, 10:48 PM
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Why are you using your brakes doing wheelies?
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Old 02-10-05, 10:54 PM
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why, how do you do them? You need brakes to regulate falling backwards i mostly use body english, but brakes play a big part in keeping them on the right level
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Old 02-10-05, 10:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Maelstrom
Why are you using your brakes doing wheelies?
The same reason when I go over my handlebars I grab a handful of front brake
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Old 02-10-05, 11:57 PM
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I can mono without brakes, but no where near as well with them, if I'm about to go backwards I'll feather it to bring the front down a bit. When manualing (I'm still learning) I need my rear brake otherwise I'd kill myself
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Old 02-11-05, 12:17 AM
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Originally Posted by PWRDbyTRD
The same reason when I go over my handlebars I grab a handful of front brake
Then you are using the wrong gear or pedaling wrong. You should be able to wheelie without using a brake ESPECIALLY the power of a disc brake.
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Old 02-11-05, 12:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Hopper
I can mono without brakes, but no where near as well with them, if I'm about to go backwards I'll feather it to bring the front down a bit. When manualing (I'm still learning) I need my rear brake otherwise I'd kill myself
But its amazing to watch those guys who can manual just kind of hanging out not using a brake. I have dreams of getting that good (seriously...real dream....8 hours of manualling)
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Old 02-11-05, 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Maelstrom
Then you are using the wrong gear or pedaling wrong. You should be able to wheelie without using a brake ESPECIALLY the power of a disc brake.
thats why i dont want to get a new rear brake, the mx2 is just weak enought to give good wheely control
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Old 02-11-05, 12:19 AM
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If the frame has the rear disc tabs -do both.
You usually buy levers in pairs.
Only tabs on the fork =just front disc, be o'k.

Can't imagine an 03 bike not having the tabs...mind you un-used bosses look worse than unused disc tabs.

Yes I care about looks like having useless metal anchors off the frame.

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Old 02-11-05, 12:22 AM
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I'm a front and rear man too.
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Old 02-11-05, 01:06 AM
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Might as well go ahead and do both... If you're absolutely determined to go hydro, my vote goes for the Avid Juicy 7's. If you're willing to get mechs, the BB7's will suit you just fine.
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Old 02-11-05, 01:20 AM
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I'd lean towards the Avid Mechs myself. I love mine
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Old 02-11-05, 01:23 AM
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The price difference is huge and I don't think it's justified. I was just saying that if the original poster is hellbent on hydros, the Juicy 7's appear to be the way to go.
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Old 02-11-05, 01:27 AM
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Originally Posted by cryogenic
The price difference is huge and I don't think it's justified. I was just saying that if the original poster is hellbent on hydros, the Juicy 7's appear to be the way to go.
No dispute. Just posting a preference
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Old 02-11-05, 01:28 AM
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Avid mechs with good lever bodies (if you don't have them which I don't for example) would cost more than hayes hydros. The only way avids are value added are if you have pre-existing levers.
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Old 02-11-05, 03:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Maelstrom
Then you are using the wrong gear or pedaling wrong. You should be able to wheelie without using a brake ESPECIALLY the power of a disc brake.
While doing a wheelie down a hill at like 20+ mph, falling off the back isnt pleasant.

My M475 POS Shimano Cable disc sucks my left nut. I would take a set of Promax V-brakes for the rear anyday. I want to move to hydraulics, but its more money than I can pay right now. There are other things I need to take care of first; QR20 lowers, new saddle, bashguard. Im planning on getting another avid to match it up.

Btw, WTF? They used to be $69!: https://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.aspx?i=BR707C02
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Old 02-11-05, 03:18 AM
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https://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm...8&hprice=69.98
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Old 02-11-05, 03:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Dirtbike
While doing a wheelie down a hill at like 20+ mph, falling off the back isnt pleasant.

My M475 POS Shimano Cable disc sucks my left nut. I would take a set of Promax V-brakes for the rear anyday. I want to move to hydraulics, but its more money than I can pay right now. There are other things I need to take care of first; QR20 lowers, new saddle, bashguard. Im planning on getting another avid to match it up.

Btw, WTF? They used to be $69!: https://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.aspx?i=BR707C02
That's what you get for going with Jenson Although you can sodomize them on the pricematch because Jenson will give you free shipping
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Old 02-11-05, 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Raiyn
That's what you get for going with Jenson Although you can sodomize them on the pricematch because Jenson will give you free shipping
Sweet! So you're saying I get free shipping for my whole purchase just for pricematching one item?

I get $250 tomorrow from allowance that my dad owes me and Ill be buying the new lowers for my Z1 (they can sell the 05 20mm bolt ons now!) and new tires.
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Old 02-11-05, 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Dirtbike
Sweet! So you're saying I get free shipping for my whole purchase just for pricematching one item?

I get $250 tomorrow from allowance that my dad owes me and Ill be buying the new lowers for my Z1 (they can sell the 05 20mm bolt ons now!) and new tires.
No. That isn't what I'm saying. That particular item already has free shipping. If you price match them against Pricepoint they have to give you the Pricepoint price AND the free shipping.
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