Decent Mechanical Disc

[Aggie_Ama]

DH has been throwing out the idea of upgrading my bike to mechanical (do I have the right term) disc brakes. I have V-brakes but he claims I do not know confidence until I go disc. My fork and wheels can accomodate them so he said we could do mechanical (I guess they can't take hydraulic, I don't understand these things). Are there some good ones to consider?

[Becky]

Generally, if your bike can take mechanicals, it will accept hydraulics as well. But mechs are a little easier to work on...no bleeding required.

I have hydros on my bike (mostly because that's what it came with), but I hear good things about Avid BB7 mechanical discs. Easy to set up, easy to adjust....

[Aggie_Ama]

I have a Manitou Axel Comp FFD, 80mm fork and Mavic Crossland (I think, they can go tubeless but were only about $300 for the set). I wonder why DH thinks I can only go Mechanical? I will have to ask him.

[DirtDiva]

It's cheaper to go mechanical, but if your bike can take those there's no reason you can't go hydraulic if you would rather. Shimano Deore and Avid Juicy 3s fall firmly into the not-that-expensive-yet-decent category. And if you get them set up properly in the first place, you shouldn't *have* to bleed them for ages.

[Becky]

I need to learn to bleed mine. I bought a set of Shimano dual control levers for practically nothing, and I can't install them without bleeding (to the best of my knowledge anyway).

[OakLeaf]

I need to learn to bleed mine. I bought a set of Shimano dual control levers for practically nothing, and I can't install them without bleeding (to the best of my knowledge anyway).

Much easier with one of those vacuum gizmos. Failing that, much easier with a helper to pump the lever and top off the master cylinder, while you open and close the bleeder valve and hold the bleed hose to keep it from falling off the nipple. (I've only done m/c brakes, but hydraulics is hydraulics.)


And, define "ages." Brake fluid will absorb water from the atmosphere over time, so it does need to be changed periodically.

[Irulan]

DH has been throwing out the idea of upgrading my bike to mechanical (do I have the right term) disc brakes. I have V-brakes but he claims I do not know confidence until I go disc. My fork and wheels can accomodate them so he said we could do mechanical (I guess they can't take hydraulic, I don't understand these things). Are there some good ones to consider?

he claims I do not know confidence until I go disc


Yawn, guy talk.

I rode without discs for YEARS doing all sorts of trails all over the PNW. Unless you are downhilling or riding in the wet - sure discs are nice to have but can be an expensive upgrade. Maybe a different way to look at it is, is this the best bang for your upgrade buck?

just my ornery two cents as usual.

[Running Mommy]

It's an expensive upgrade. And FWIW the guys in the shop here grumble at the mechanicals all the time. If you are going to go through the expense I would go hydro- hands down!!