[Old_Dude]

I'm thinking of going with a mechanical disc up front - I just bought shifter/brake pods because I was assuming if I used an Avid mechanical disc (or most other mechanical disc brakes) I wouldn't need to change my V-brake levers - is this true?

Anyone have any recommendations for a disc brake setup which uses my current brake levers? I was looking at the Deore mechanicals - very inexpensive - what's wrong with them - are they too heavy or cheaply constructed?

Thansk,

OD

 

[douglas]

I have the hayes mechanical's (HMX-1's) on my Kona XC ride and they are real NICE !

 

[sub6]

Originally posted by Old_Dude
I was looking at the Deore mechanicals - very inexpensive - what's wrong with them - are they too heavy or cheaply constructed?

Thansk,

OD

What's wrong is that they suck. There are two versions, actually, the first version is the "standard" one, and it was so bad that Shimano had to come out with the "long arm" version which is supposedly better. I'd basically stay as FAR away as possible.

I've heard good and bad things about Hayes HMX-1s. I think they're probably good but you never know.

I've NEVER heard anything bad about Avids. They are the king of the mechanical brakes. And they whoop ass on most hydro brakes too. I think you could not go wrong if you got them.

You can use V-brake levers with ANY mechanical disc.

 

[Tweek]

Just get the Avids. I tried the Hayes mechs on kettenring's XC bike and didn't like them. He didn't either and ditched 'em.

 

[Old_Dude]

Just get the Avids.

OK, done.

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Yep for mechanicals go Avids.

 

[mogulskr]

Pricepoint has the avids for 69 a piece right now, that's about as cheap as they get

 

[Tweek]

Originally posted by mogulskr
Pricepoint has the avids for 69 a piece right now, that's about as cheap as they get

Wow! For that cheap, maybe I'll get one for my XC bike.

 

[Bikerpunk241]

Originally posted by Old_Dude
I'm thinking of going with a mechanical disc up front - I just bought shifter/brake pods because I was assuming if I used an Avid mechanical disc (or most other mechanical disc brakes) I wouldn't need to change my V-brake levers - is this true?

Anyone have any recommendations for a disc brake setup which uses my current brake levers? I was looking at the Deore mechanicals - very inexpensive - what's wrong with them - are they too heavy or cheaply constructed?

Thansk,

OD

I like the Avid mechanicals, but they have no modulation what so ever, the hayes mech. don't feel as crisp, but modulate better. All mechanical systems work with ANY v-brake lever.

 

[novatrek]

Will any cables work with the avid mechs?

 

[dwnwrd]

Yes. Just make sure you cut the excess length off rather than risk it getting caught in the spinning rotor.

 

[NRSracer]

Originally posted by dwnwrd
Yes. Just make sure you cut the excess length off rather than risk it getting caught in the spinning rotor.

mine did that.

actually it didn't get caught, it just kinda clicked everytime it got hit and made the front hub sound like a freehub. i really thought i busted sumthin in the wheel

 

[novatrek]

does anything have to be done to the disk tabs to get a better alignment of the caliper......i think i read something about facing the tabs?

 

[fonseca]

Originally posted by novatrek
does anything have to be done to the disk tabs to get a better alignment of the caliper......i think i read something about facing the tabs?

Not with avids, thanks to their unique adjustment system. The caliper will always be perfectly aligned with the rotor if you follow the instructions, which means no squealing, irregular pad wear or lack of power if your tabs did need to be faced. That was a problem with my last Marzocchi when I used Magura Julies, and there was no tool available then to face the tabs. I had to make spacers from an aluminum can to even things out. Ugh, that sucked. Fork manufacturers should face the tabs before the forks leave the factory. Same goes for frame manufacturers imo. Most shops still can't do it, and the tool is what, $300?

 

[novatrek]

can flak jacket cables be used for disk brakes....avids website isnt really clear.also when someone says run full cable housing for the rear brake do they mean from the lever to the caliper or from the last cable boss to caliper.my bike has 2 cable bosses for the rear brake and both are on the top tube.

 

[Tweek]

Originally posted by novatrek
can flak jacket cables be used for disk brakes....avids website is really clear.also when someone says run full cable for thr rear brake do they mean from the lever to the caliper or from the last cable boss to caliper.my bike has 2 cable bosses for the rear brake and both are on the top tube.

Did you mean "full housing"?
If so, running full housing means all the way from the lever to the caliper. You can run just the inner housing from the last boss to the caliper if you're running cables like RideOns.

 

[mrbigisbudgood]

This might be a stupid question......

I don't think I've ever seen 8" Avids. Do they make them? Has anybody ridden them? If so, I've got some 8" Hayes I'd like to sell.

 

[Tweek]

Originally posted by mrbigisbudgood
This might be a stupid question......

I don't think I've ever seen 8" Avids. Do they make them? Has anybody ridden them? If so, I've got some 8" Hayes I'd like to sell.

You can get Avid mechs in 160, 185, and 203mm rotor sizes.

 

[mrbigisbudgood]

Originally posted by Tweek
You can get Avid mechs in 160, 185, and 203mm rotor sizes.

Yeah, I just looked at their site. Anyone wanna buy some 8" Hayes?

 

[dwnwrd]

I'm using flak jackets and Avid 185s on my Bullit. It's run with one solid housing.

 

[novatrek]

Originally posted by dwnwrd
I'm using flak jackets and Avid 185s on my Bullit. It's run with one solid housing.

do you use zip ties to hold the cable to the frame?

 

[dwnwrd]

yup. green ones