blando89

Hey guys new here.

I was wondering what would you need to do to change from brake pads to diisk. I know buy them but do you need to look for certain size etc before buying one?

roccobike

First and most important, is your frame set up for discs or are you going to need adaptors? Do you have a pic of the bike?
Also, what type of brakes are you thinking of installing, hydraulic or mechanical? Does your current bike have V's of cantilevers?

jimc101

As Rocco, far more info needed.

For adaptors, these are normally for alu frames, with specific ends/dropouts, unless you the correct type they won't work, other types were available in the past, but are very hard to find now.

Being realistic, unless you have a highish end bike, getting a complete bike with discs is normally a cheaper option than attempting to put disc on a non disc frame.

3speed

OP, keep in mind you're going to need the disk brakes and a wheel-set if your wheels aren't disk compatible. I'd be fairly surprised if your bike frame/fork had the disk mounting tabs(it may if it's a newer bike) And a disk compatible wheel-set, yet didn't come with disk brakes. If your bike does have both of those things, I think you can often find a pair of front and rear Avid BB7 caliper and rotor set for ~$100 online from one of the discount sites like blueskycycling, jenson, etc. If you need a wheel-set too, figure on spending another $100 minimum for that for a cheaper wheel-set at one of the discount sites. If you have a decent frame/fork, that will take disk brakes, I think $200-300 on brakes and wheels upgrade is a better option than a $500 bike that will likely come with Avid BB5s or worse and possibly an even cheaper wheel-set than what you'd buy for $100+, but I guess it all depends on your budget and what you're looking to get out of it in the end. If you have the money to buy a $1000 bike, that's going to be a Much better bike than a cheap one with some disk brakes added.

Another thing to consider is CL. I see lightly used MTB wheel-sets fairly regularly for good prices where people have upgraded wheels shortly after getting a new bike.

blando89

Hey guys. My bike is a specialized xl that i got from CL that was in great condition. I do know the if i have timwheel does not have the spot to put disk brakes on so i do know i would need to get new rim.

Where is a good site for discount stuff etc anyways?

samburger

Any more info on the bike? A picture would be ideal, as XL is a size, not a model.

The most efficient way to get better braking would be to invest in some good pads (if you haven't already) & make sure they're properly adjusted. For all by the wettest/muddiest/rim-bendingest conditions, v-brakes will work just fine.

The most efficient way to get disc brakes would be to only worry about the front, since you get 70-80% of your traction there anyway. This would entail a new wheel with disc mounts ($50+), caliper adapter (if available; if not, entire new fork--$100+), & the rotor/caliper set. Cable discs like BB5/BB7's would only yield better braking in the wet/rain or if your rim gets warped/bent. Hydraulics are much better than v's, but usually run $100+/set. These prices, of course, are bottom of the barrel.

In short, it can be done, but not efficiently unless your frame & hubs are already set up for disc brakes. If it were me, I'd set the money aside & start saving up for a newer/nicer bike, but it's a matter of whether or not it's worth it to you.

dexmax

Hi blando89,

Welcome to the forums..

Here are pics from a project I did last year on a 2012 Cannondale V-brake specific frame which I converted to Disc Brakes.


photo of drop-out without disc mounts.

I got A2Z adapters, but we needed to custom cut it to fit.



A2Z mounts on the dropout


Brakes installed

Cheers!

roccobike

dexmax, not sure if it's my computer (company computer) or the pics, but I can't open any of the attachments.
Roccobike

jimc101

There pictures are there, must be your computer

blando89

so the first pic is what it looks like just without the upgrade correct? Then third pic i am trying to figure out. Is it two peieces together?

dexmax

Hi blando89,

the adaptor is in two pieces. The mount and the faceplate. These two pieces sandwich the dropout, and the bolts are tightened so the adapter woudnt move.

here is a link with a picture.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/a2z-adapt...uni-prod17648/

good luck on your project.

blando89

awesome thanks. Buy two for front and back or is it just for back really?

dexmax

Just for the back..
for the front, just get a new fork.

blando89

haha yea i planed on getting a better one anyways. Thanks Dex

dexmax

Better if you can post a picture of the rear drop out (left side).
For flat drop-outs, the adapter can be installed without any modification. In my Cannondale frame, the drop out was not flat, hence we had to cut part of the faceplate to fit. But the material is a bit durable, good thing we had some cutting tools and grinders available here at the shop.

What make/model bike or frame do you have?

For the fork, check the size of the steerer and what type of headset it uses. For older threaded type and/or 1" steerer forks, it may be hard to get a replacement. Although pretty common in the past, I hardly find anything available now.

Post pics so we can help you.

Thanks.

Dex

roccobike

Yup! Now that I'm off the company line, the pics are coming through fine. The company filter must include "bikes" in their porn blocker (lol).

roccobike

Dex, That's a great lookin C'dale.

dexmax

Hi roccobike,
Those pictures are linked from Photobucket, probably your company is blocking content from that server.

And I'm glad you like the C'dale; I've put a lot of time and miles on it. I got it late last year as my "going back into cycling" bike..
Now, I've added a Specialized Camber to the stable, and so far is my main bike.

Cheers.

Regards,

Dex