V-Brake to Disc Conversion

[jason_rossiter]

Hi, 

 

My current MTB Bike has V-Brakes, I'm looking at switching from V-Brakes to Disc Brakes, my front fork does have place for the brakes but my current rims don't. So would it be worth converting them price wise, as I only ride every Sunday and this is purely just a hobby for me? Or should I just stick with these, I must say Disc Brakes just look so nice and clean on a bike

[G00SE]

At the very least you will have to rebuild disk compatible hubs onto your existing rims. Or you can just get a whole new wheelset.

Then you're in for a new set of brakes and disks, so its not going to be cheap either way.

Thumbsuck, about R1500 to rebuild new hubs and spokes onto existing rims, that's ex brakes and disks.

So it all depends on how much money you have lying around.

 

Oh also make sure your frame has a caliper mount at the rear too.

[s14phoenix]

you can almost buy a bike from the classifieds with disk brakes for what it will cost you...

[Guest notmyname]

What bike is it?

[brucem76]

To be honest, just moved from v brakes to disc - the difference hasn't been that significant (and I'm 120kg and ride lots of off road stuff with decent downhills) - I would spend a large proportion of the value of your whole bike just because it looks cool. An upgraded bike from the classifieds on here will look cooler

[Prince Albert Cycles]

Not worth the money for the amount of riding that you do .

[BMXER]

Not worth the money for the amount of riding that you do .

+1

[Skylark]

Put a wanted in the classifieds for some XT or Xtr V-brakes, I had XT vbrakes on my one bike, very powerful, close to hydraulics in that regard. Only drawback is they aren't quite as convenient and fit and forget but nevertheless very nice.

[EZRider]

To be honest, just moved from v brakes to disc - the difference hasn't been that significant (and I'm 120kg and ride lots of off road stuff with decent downhills) - I would spend a large proportion of the value of your whole bike just because it looks cool. An upgraded bike from the classifieds on here will look cooler

What disc brakes are you using?

The difference between v and cable actuated disc isn't much but a set of ice tech XT or XTR will be such an improvement over v brakes it is like night and day.

 

To the OP: probably not worth putting a decent set of disc brakes (read expensive) on your bike.

[brucem76]

What disc brakes are you using?

The difference between v and cable actuated disc isn't much but a set of ice tech XT or XTR will be such an improvement over v brakes it is like night and day.

 

To the OP: probably not worth putting a decent set of disc brakes (read expensive) on your bike.

Formula RX?

[EZRider]

Formula RX?

 

I've no experience with them but they are hydraulic and so should be a big improvement over v-brakes. Modulation and stopping power of discs is MUCH better than rim brakes unless they are pretty poor quality.

I live in Tzaneen, lots of hills, so even my next road bike will have discs!

[worriesnot]

To be honest, just moved from v brakes to disc - the difference hasn't been that significant (and I'm 120kg and ride lots of off road stuff with decent downhills) - I would spend a large proportion of the value of your whole bike just because it looks cool. An upgraded bike from the classifieds on here will look cooler

 

On road and perfect conditions off-road I agree, but get those rim brakes wet or muddy... different story. You still come to a stop but takes a few extra wheel rotations (depending on speed). I took my old rim brake Trek off-road after a few years riding on discs - you really get to notice the difference then. From rim brake to disc... you'll probably go: "meh" BUT go back to rim after a few k's with disc - you'll feel it.

[Shebeen]

I have discs on the full sus and v-brakes on the single speed.

 

I don't think discs are the be all and end all. you might even find that a similiar amount of money spent on better wheels/tyres would be more bang for buck in your case (there must be some **** hot v-brake wheels sitting in people's garages these days)