The_Mickstar

I found this pic while surfing for info on the IRO Jamie Roy and thought it was interesting. Looks like a really nice setup for riding in inclement weather and non-hard-core trails.

https://velospace.org/node/2046

Any comments on using a disc brake on the front without a rear brake? What are the pros/cons of a disc?

Thanks.

Steve

JeffS

I've been planning to do the same thing.

In my mind, I'm trading a little added weight for better braking performance. I'm sure plenty will come out and argue that you don't NEED a disc brake. I have discs on my geared commuter (Salsa Las Cruces) and no, I don't NEED them, but I most definitely want them. Since the fixed-gear has become my primary commuter, I'm more motivated to go ahead and swap to a disc compatible fork. The only potential issue is matching rake to your existing fork - or dealing with the new ride characteristics.

I've never seen that Airborne fork before. I've been keeping a list of available disc road forks here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/270819-disc-brake-road-forks-anyone-have-list.html

npoak

Discs (hydros and mechanicals) are a heavier (compared to road brakes) and offer much MUCH better stopping power and are generally more consistent in all weather conditions (icluding rain/snow). Even on a bike with a front and rear brake...75% of your brakeing (maybe more for road riding) should be coming from your front brake so there is no real "con" there. Using your front brake is generally "proper" braking technique.

Now...there are few wheels out there that a built with a MTB disc hub and a 700c rim, beyond Mavic's offering I can't think of many other stock ones. That being said any wheel builder/shop should be able to build you whatever hub/rim combo you want.

You'll also need a rigid MTB or cross fork with disc mounts...easy to find in 1" 1/8th threadless...but harder to find in a 1" threaded...so watch your frame. You could also put a suspension fork on it to really make the thing burly.

Lastly....if the whole fixie/brakeless thing is centered around a road brake up front riding a disc up front will make you a super-kook....haha.

Unless your are riding a fixie as a cross bike or lot's off offroad you don't "need" a disc brake. It will work but it will be hardcore overkill. THough maybe on a commuter bike it would be useful. If you are riding a fixie all off road just nut up and by a single speed MTB, you need both brakes off road....

Personally, disc brakes look really odd on fixies...but I guess whatever the kids think is cool now-a-days. Maybe disc brakes will be the new TT protectors. Sweet!

Regardless, that bike in the picture looks like a fun ride.

subsistbmx@hotm

"Personally, disc brakes look really odd on fixies...but I guess whatever the kids think is cool now-a-days. Maybe disc brakes will be the new TT protectors."

I think it's a preference. If he or she wants it..doesn't mean it's some new trend and from I know TT protectors are functional.

npoak

Don't get your panties in a bunch. I was making a joke. Who cares what I, you or him/her thinks looks right aesthetically. To each their own.

I race XC bikes and know discs well. I offered my advice and then made a joke....chill.

Hobartlemagne 

I use one on my Panasonic fixie, and I love it.

BTW: Cranks and chainring are black now.

LóFarkas

If you ride an awful lot in nasty weather, why not?
A normal rim brake should be sufficient, but there's no real drawback apart from
-price
-weight
-I don't like their looks
-something of a thief magnet I guess

You do get 1 finger braking and no rim wear. Your call, I'll stick to rim braking for sure.

yairi

It is

Advantages: strong, consistent braking regardless of how wet/muddy the front rim is, no rim wear, style (well I like it!)

Downsides: bit heavier, worse aerodynamics (not important on a bike like this though), difficult to adjust the brake so it has both good strength and no pad dragging (this may be unique to my particular brake, it's the only one I have experience of), more expensive than Vs or cantis

I don't know if I would do it again ... I do like it, but realistically a good cantilever or V well set up would have 90% as good stopping power, and the front rim does not get all that dirty usually, a lot less than the rear rim for sure.

I think the presence or absence of a rear brake is not terribly relevant.

ollyisk

about how much would it cost to set up a front disc brake from having none of the parts?

JeffS

Caliper - $100
Rotor - $30 ?
Fork - $40 - $425

Hub/wheel - as much as you want to spend

Assuming you have a lever you can use.

Shiznaz

I've had a thing for the bike the OP posted for a while. Its like the bike that siberian cyber ninjas ride or something...

Anyways... I used to have a fixie with a front hydraulic disc brake. I converted a slack old touring frame and put on a 1" threadless black steel disc fork by dimension (I'd be willing to bet its the same as the gold bike's fork). The steer tube was too short for my head tube so I had to get it threaded. Worked great for a while until the threading stripped, then I abandoned the idea and just reinstalled the original fork and rode brakeless.

pros:
My caliper was pretty good at self adjusting so it wouldn't rub much. It stopped like crazy and was always dependable. Looked good (interesting?)

Negatives: price: new fork, wheel, brakes. Weight, changing bike geometry (not always bad), mine were hydraulic so I was stuck using MTB bars. More rotating weight.

For your interest:

RIP. All that exists of this bike now is the saddle, fork and brake. If you (the OP) are really interested in going down this road I will sell you my disc fork and brake for cheap, as I have no immediate uses for them.

Hobartlemagne 

The real hassle in doing this is the wheel. Ive converted 2 bikes this way- I used universalcycles.com for the wheelbuilds

npoak

https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/12605-115_AVDMD3-3-Parts-158-Brakes/Disc/Avid-BB7-Disc-Brake---Mechanical-160mm-'06.htm

$60 for the rotor and caliper/pads. It's a Mechanical and will work with your existing MTB/cross/BMX lever...

Like someone said below....finding a hub/rim combo will be hard to do cheap as it will probably require handbuilding the wheel....but you might find one on ebay.

euphoria

I would venture to say the price/benefit ratio is out of wack unless you already have some leftover MTB parts

Hobartlemagne 

I used a Shimano Deore MTB hub on both that I built. Mavic cheap rim on one, Velocity deep V on the other.

dustinlikewhat

you can't use rim brakes to slice meat for sandwiches, end of argument.

neiltron

I have a front disc brake on my Gunnar Street Dog. I bought a Gunnar cross fork on ebay and an Avid BB7 mechanical caliper/rotor set. Built up a front wheel using a WTB Laser Disc Lite hub and it's great. I can do full-speed stops by barely thinking about it. Riding on the street is like a video game...

I spent
$80 on the caliper/rotor
$75 on the hub
$100 on rim + spokes
$8 for an avid ISO bracket
$100 on the fork
$15 on a used v-brake lever and cable/housing
$15 on a BMX starnut so I can run my brake cable through my headtube

JeffS

Correct, assuming you're wanting to use that type of lever. I was thinking you'd want to use a road lever. I tend to forget I'm in here with my drop bars.