Disc brakes
#1
02-24-03, 02:43 PM
Disc brakes
Hey there...I have a new (2 year old?) GT LTS-3 that I am considering putting hydraulic disc on....am I wasting my money? I rode a Cannondale Lefty last spring with full hydraulic disc...and now regular braking just seems inadequate...The other question is should I put a locking rear shock in? I do a fair amount of cross country riding as well as downhilling...is the power loss of a rear suspension enough to warrant changing it over?
#2
02-27-03, 07:18 AM
A new component is NEVER a waste of money!
Just try telling that to your spouse.
Hi, Dennis- I'm not up to speed on disc brakes, but I'm pretty sure a caliper brake bike is not necessarily compatible with a disc brake system. Whether it's the fork spread in back, or the hub, or the dishing of the spokes on the rear wheel, or all three, there are some requirements that must be met.
I wish I could be of more help: at one time Bike Nashbar, the mail order place, offered live tech support at 800-888-2710. I just tried the number and it was busy, which means they're still in operation or they no longer offer that service (Performance Bicycle bought Nashbar, and who knows what has happened since). Your LBS will be able to help, of course.
I'm still curious to know what's the real answer and what you wind up doing, so keep us posted!
Hi, Dennis- I'm not up to speed on disc brakes, but I'm pretty sure a caliper brake bike is not necessarily compatible with a disc brake system. Whether it's the fork spread in back, or the hub, or the dishing of the spokes on the rear wheel, or all three, there are some requirements that must be met.
I wish I could be of more help: at one time Bike Nashbar, the mail order place, offered live tech support at 800-888-2710. I just tried the number and it was busy, which means they're still in operation or they no longer offer that service (Performance Bicycle bought Nashbar, and who knows what has happened since). Your LBS will be able to help, of course.
I'm still curious to know what's the real answer and what you wind up doing, so keep us posted!
#3
03-04-03, 02:34 PM
Exactly right, your LTS may not be compatible unless you have mechanical disc brakes now. (I think tose were available on the LTS) If you have mechanical discs, you can probably convert, which leads to the question of whether you should or not. In the end, its a personal preference. You could go hydraulic on the back and leave the front as is.
#4
03-05-03, 11:00 AM
I do not have any disc braking at all right now...but if it was available for this model I should be able to convert, I would presume...I don't really have a local bike shop....small community here...so I guess I will have to find a dealer in the city...any comments on the rear locking shock??
#5
03-06-03, 10:33 AM
They're still around!
I just checked into that Bike Nashbar number: their tech support line is still open. You can call them during business hours and describe your bike- they'll be able to tell if your bike is disc brake compatible. They'll also be able to help you with the locking shock question.
Plus, if there's no LBS in your area, they'll be able to provide parts. They have good prices and good service.
Dave O
Plus, if there's no LBS in your area, they'll be able to provide parts. They have good prices and good service.
Dave O
#9
03-14-03, 01:58 PM
You can have front and/or rear disc brakes. Lets look at each
Rear
your frame must have mounting lugs to accept the caliper. These are generally located above the rear drop outs. If the frame is 2 years old I am betting it should have these. The rear hub must be disc brake compatible because the disc gets mounted to it. There is no way to retrofit a hub if it is not disc compatible.
Front
Same goes for front except that the caliper mounting lugs are located on the front fork and the front hub will have to be disc compatible.
Hayes is the way to go with Hydraulics, but they are not cheap. If you want to save money (and maintenance time) go with Avid Mechanicals.
Rear
your frame must have mounting lugs to accept the caliper. These are generally located above the rear drop outs. If the frame is 2 years old I am betting it should have these. The rear hub must be disc brake compatible because the disc gets mounted to it. There is no way to retrofit a hub if it is not disc compatible.
Front
Same goes for front except that the caliper mounting lugs are located on the front fork and the front hub will have to be disc compatible.
Hayes is the way to go with Hydraulics, but they are not cheap. If you want to save money (and maintenance time) go with Avid Mechanicals.
#10
03-22-03, 09:00 AM
In order to convert over to disc brakes the following will need to be had. You need disc brake hubs, disc brake tabs on the frame and fork (Note: some forks require adapters to run certain brakes)It is not neccessary to have disc brake rims, but some people obtain disc brake specific wheels. If you run your current rims and only switch hubs you always have the option on re installing your rim brakes if the disc setup fails or breaks. Also First Principles makes a disc brake adapter to set up on non disc hubs to convert over.
http://www.firstprincipleseng.com/wh...arch62002.html
There is another company that makes an adapter but I cannot remember it right now.
There are also several Canadian shops that will sell to you without having to pay shipping from the U.S.
http://www.firstprincipleseng.com/wh...arch62002.html
There is another company that makes an adapter but I cannot remember it right now.
There are also several Canadian shops that will sell to you without having to pay shipping from the U.S.
