|   Disc brakes and weight? | Kelly
Jan 20, 2003 6:34 PM | | I'm trying to decide on going disc or just throwing some Avid Ti's on my new steel frame. Any thoughts out there on the the added weight of a disc setup vs the better performance? Are the discs worth the extra weight in your opinion? I'd really like to have disc brakes, but don't want my new steel ride to weigh a ton.
Thoughts, opinions, etc??? |
| Hehehe.....did............. | Mike T.
Jan 20, 2003 6:52 PM | | .....you come to the right place. I, and a few other people, are in the middle of writing a whole disc brake primer for mtbr. It will be hosted by mtbr soon. Here is what I wrote on your subject today -
Yes & no. Some of the ultra light disc brakesets rival v-brakes for weight. For instance, a whole complete set of Formula B4SL (world's lightest) weighs 630g complete. Of course this isn't counting any extra weight for disc brake hubs. Some are heavier than v-brakes. But disc brakes give (for most people) so many benefits that any extra weight is immaterial. It's like fat tires and shock forks - we get so many benefits compared to skinny tires and rigid fork we stopped asking the same questions about them years ago.
Some facts -
*One of the most popular disc brakes (the Avid cable disc) is also one of the heaviest - 1057g for a whole set (SD7 levers, cables, brakes).
*A set of 2002 Magura Martas weighs 100g LESS than a large full waterbottle (836g)
*A set of Formula B4SL weighs 206g LESS than a large full waterbottle.
*9 Clif bars weigh the same as a set of Formula B4SL.
NOW can we stop asking about weight!
That answer your question kelly?
Mike T. |
| Interesting... | Rev Bubba
Jan 21, 2003 9:01 AM | | I've come to the conclusion, from numerous comments on this here very board, that discs and a 2001 SID may not be the best combination because of fork flex so I'm wondering if you will be addressing fork compatibility in your primer.
As for weight, yeah, the weight difference between a lightweight set of discs and a vee brake/lever combo is not much but disc hubs do weigh more than regular ones so will you also be addressing the total weight issue?
I've kind of settled on leaving my HS33's on my hardtail so I have the feeling of hydro brakes which I like without the flex problems that "may" be associated with a SID/disc setup. |
| Yep............ | Mike T.
Jan 21, 2003 11:25 AM | | .....we'll probably address the fork compatability issue. There are a couple or four writers so someone will do it.
Yep I'm doing the weight issue so I'll touch on hubs too but it's tough to believe too many weight claims unless I weigh them myself.
The 33s of course are a fine brake. |
| Definately disc. | Zonic Man
Jan 20, 2003 7:04 PM | | There is not really any weight penalty this year with the new offerings from Hope, Formula, and shimano xtr.
There's no hassle with setup and fiddling around like v's, tons of extra performance, your wheels can be out of true without rubbing, etc. etc.
Zonic Man "Steel, dreamy steel. (Warning: contains 2003 XTR inside)" 11/4/02 7:34am
Doesn't have to be heavy at all.
PS: Nice set of hope minis just got posted in the marketplace. |
| I've mostly seen fat people using disc brakes. | Pete.
Jan 20, 2003 7:43 PM | | I like my discs. |
| I'm not fat..I'm big boned.....love my Avid Discs! :-)nm | G-Live
Jan 21, 2003 10:27 AM | | |
| I am not fat, but.... | LITESPD
Jan 20, 2003 7:48 PM | | I plan on putting Avid discs on my new Superlight. I
keep reading positive reviews. |
| You won't be disappointed. | Mojo Man
Jan 21, 2003 6:51 AM | | Avids were the best switch I ever made. The modulation is incredible. I keep mine set pretty loose and it gives a wide range of stopping power. I don't race and don't care about weight, so I haven't found a downside to them yet. |
| Here's something you might want to consider. | Billy Zoom
Jan 20, 2003 8:43 PM | | Front disc, rear v. Works great for me. Since I'm running a front Avid mech, it allows my choice of levers, and with wise decisions in other areas (wheelset, levers, rear brake) there is only a slight weight penalty if any. It's a great fit for my needs.
I've gone full circle with discs. I went from Vs to discs, went back to Vs, but was disappointed with the reduced power. Decided to try the front disc and rear V and went with a slightly larger size rotor(185mm). Voila! Perfect power and I can dial in a similar feel for front and back via the Speed dial on the levers. Plus, it's a different look that I like. Keep in mind that I was going for more power and don't ride in much wet weather. If you ride in a lot of moisture, you may want the rear disc too.
If you're debating it, this may work out great for you.
Joel |
| Should'a listened to Front Range Mig... My Formula B4 story | TrickyT
Jan 21, 2003 6:43 AM | | I bought my Ionic(Dean)Stealhead last year with Formula B4's... Let's make a long story short...there light... but don't work worth SH$T! Stick to the BEST --- HAYES! TRUST ME! I should have listened to migmon when I had Dean build the bike... I bet that in the first 10 rides the pads wore out, I lost my brakes on the trail several times, due to mis-adjustment. The levers are clever, but it's far to easy to loose that little pin. Maybe a little heavy, but it's HAYES ALL THE WAY me!
TrickyT
http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/NEWIONIC(4).jpg |
| Funny, my B4s have been flawless... | Doug
Jan 21, 2003 9:55 AM | | They are nearly 2 years old now and I have not had a single problem. I have even crashed many times. One time the brake lever took a hard hit. I just rotated it back to position and put the lever bake in place (it was sticking straight out as if you pulled it away from the bike rather than towards it). I'm on the same pads, and have not had to adjust them. Sure they make noise every now and then, but by and large they are like my Maguras...install and forget. |
| stick with v brakes for lightest weight | ced
Jan 21, 2003 7:09 AM | | V-brakes are lighter, much less expensive, and work well. Since you mentioned weight four times in your question, stick with v-brakes. I prefer disc brakes, but then again my bike probably weighs 30lbs and the disc brakes pull it down from speed in a hurry. |
| I decided to go with Avid Mech. Disc's... and just to be sure... | Battman42
Jan 21, 2003 8:11 AM | | they'll be mounted to Rhyno-lites(somethin' like Jumbo shrimp).
This may offset the weight savings from the Eggbeaters....
but with the 1120gr slime tubes, who's counting?
I just have to lose the holiday feast I've been wearing....and another ten lbs after that and I'll have lost my entire bike worth of weight...
I've also heard that increased unsprung weight reduces "pedal bob".
Prob'ly 'cause I'll have to walk it.
Tim |
| Go Pee... | Dirt Pilot
Jan 21, 2003 8:35 AM | | ...Before you ride and you'l negate just about any weight disadvantage you have from upgrading to disks.
Out of any upgrade I'v done to my bike, going to Avid mech disks from Avid Ti vees has given me the most noticable increase in performance. I swear, I almost pee my pants with delight every time I grab those things! They're worth every milligram of weight increase over vees. |
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