Disc Brakes

Pretty wide range of prices...about $100 will get you a decent conversion kit. Check out www.performancebike.com.

One note though, if you're gonna convert, check out hydraulic brakes. They're a little more expensive...but tons better. Good luck.

Cheers,

"I Will Never Draw Ethical Circles Around The Things That I Do".

Thank you BigAgnes. Looks like I'll only be able to get one brake for that price. That correct?
What are the advantages of hydraulics?

That was stupid to a felony level.

You are correct...should have mentioned that...sorry.

The advantages are less mechanics to go wrong...a little less weight, and once they're set up...you only need to change out pads...pretty sweet. Less mechanics means less maintenance, which translates into more easy-breasy time on the trail.

Cheers,

"I Will Never Draw Ethical Circles Around The Things That I Do".

Avid bb7's.. they are amazing if you want disk and are ob a budget.

http://www.bikemag.com/gear/082905_avid/

Hope that helps

Hydraulic disc brakes are self-adjusting (so you don't need to be constantly adjusting the tension), are a little lighter, provide better stopping power, and provide waaaay better modulation (which basically means you have much finer control over them).

Hydraulic brakes are well worth it. Great braking power, not affected by rain, etc. However, I have noticed since I went hydraulic, my quick release lever on the front tire seems to come loose quite a bit. Luckily, the nubs keep the front tire from falling off while riding (I have been lucky enough to notice that it is loose b/f anything has happened).

Anyone have thoughts on this? My unscientific theory is that the torque from the hydraulic brakes puts more stress on the quick release lever and eventually it starts to come loose.

Eh... I think it is more likely that it is just an issue with your particular setup. I've personally never experienced this, and while hydraulic brakes are more powerful then mechanical ones, they aren't THAT much more powerful. Certainly not enough to cause that much of a difference. Also, if it was a common occurence, then I'm pretty sure that the company would have noticed and fixed the problem. It's not good publicity if your brakes make people's wheels fall off.

More then likely, in the time since you have had the hydraulic brakes, you have either damaged or just worn out that quick-release.

well, Hydro is nice. but lighter? I personally don't think so.. ya empty they are, but the fluid adds up more than the cables do. though there isn't all that much.

One thing that made me go to Mech over hydro is the branches and trees... you get a hydro line caught/damaged... your done... if you get a cable caught... well it's not great it can usually get you home... personal experience with a friend... he walked that day. It was less than a mile from the van though. Lucky him.

hydro is better/smoother braking and it is noticeable at least to me.. but going from v to disc... you'll love anything. Power isn't that big of a deal... once you lock up the tire it really doesn't matter how much more grip the pads/brakes have.

Actually if you want to just try.. I have a set of avid BB5's you can have. just pay shipping. they are slightly worn but only put like maybe 100 miles on them if that. I would HIGHLY recommend getting the BB7's but the BB5's are a great start and then you can upgrade as you go

I need some help with this: I travel with my bike a lot, to places like India, Sri Lanka, and remote places in Indonesia. I have always used V brakes for the simple reason that if they break, there is a place that can fix them, even if they have to jury rig something, every 3 miles or so, even in remote areas.

How prone to breaking are the hydraulics disks? Sounds like if I break down in teh wron gplace, it may even be a plane ride out of the country somewhere before I can ride again, no?

Reason I ask is I need a new bike, high end crosscountry is what I want to buy, such as a Kona, but nearly all the good bikes nowdays have disks, and it's hard to find one with V's anymore. \

Thanks anybody

Jack