Upgrading Mechanical Disk Brakes to Hydraulic

[keagsface]

Hi All, 

Apologies for the rather noob question as I am relatively new to the sport. 

I have been on a fixie / single speed for 2 / 3 years now and am dead keen on getting a decent gravel bike. I really like the look (and price) of the Momsen GP300 but I have read that mechanical discs are really not the way to go, and would be looking at upgrading them. 

The question is, how easy or feasible is this process?

You'd obviously need to replace the brakes themselves, the hoses, etc, would the levers need to be replaced too?

Thanks again for any input, massively appreciate your time and help.

Keagan 

[MudLark]

Yes, you would need to replace the levers as well.

[Gerhard765]

Hi Keagan, I would check the frame first to ensure that the brake interfaces between the mechanical and hydraulic discs are the same. They will probably be as disc brake interfaces seem fairly standard, but rather just make sure.

[David Marshall]

In my opinion it is not worth buying a bike with mechanical discs and then upgrading to hydraulic ones. The cost of the shifters and calipers together will be a real setback. I would rather get a bike with the hydraulics from the get go.  If you want to upgrade a bike that you already have you can look at the TRP cable/hydraulic calipers as an alternative.

[JulienR]

I have done this on one bike/ You will need:

- New Shifters (which have the hydraulic capability)

- New brake calipers and hoses

- You will need to check the mounts on the bike for the calipers (post or flat mount)

- Some frames with internal routing cant accommodate the hoses so you may have to mount the hose on the frame

 

One the whole, the above is a very expensive conversion (minimum of 5-6K for a used Shimano or SRAM Apex). 

 

Another cheaper option would be to get calipers that are a hybrid hydraulic/cable like this:

https://trpcycling.com/product/hyrd/

 

With this, you only need to change the calipers which could cost R1-2K. You will also get much better braking power

[Chadvdw67]

Just asked a bike shop about this very same thing, they told me you will be in for a minimum of R6k, just not worth it.

 

And the mechanical brakes, at least on the bike tried, were TERRIBLE, I feared for my life riding that bike, and that was just in a car parking lot, would hate to test them on a proper ride

[keagsface]

In my opinion it is not worth buying a bike with mechanical discs and then upgrading to hydraulic ones. The cost of the shifters and calipers together will be a real setback. I would rather get a bike with the hydraulics from the get go.  If you want to upgrade a bike that you already have you can look at the TRP cable/hydraulic calipers as an alternative.

Thanks David, this is essentially where I was going with this, wondering if it was worth the effort or cash to do it myself, but it seems like a lot bigger a job than I had thought.

 

Really do appreciate everybody's input above, thanks all! 

[keagsface]

I have done this on one bike/ You will need:

- New Shifters (which have the hydraulic capability)

- New brake calipers and hoses

- You will need to check the mounts on the bike for the calipers (post or flat mount)

- Some frames with internal routing cant accommodate the hoses so you may have to mount the hose on the frame

 

One the whole, the above is a very expensive conversion (minimum of 5-6K for a used Shimano or SRAM Apex). 

 

Another cheaper option would be to get calipers that are a hybrid hydraulic/cable like this:

https://trpcycling.com/product/hyrd/

 

With this, you only need to change the calipers which could cost R1-2K. You will also get much better braking power

Massively appreciate all the info Julien, thank you!

[TNT1]

 

I have been on a fixie / single speed for 2 / 3 years now and am dead keen on getting a decent gravel bike. I really like the look (and price) of the Momsen GP300 

You'll be able to find something with hydraulic disc brakes for less than the cost and hassle of swapping mech to hydraulic later.

[bertusras]

The GP500 is R3000 more expensive, and comes with SRAM Apex Hydraulic brakes out the box.