|   V-brake backup for hydro discs? | PmbH
Aug 1, 2003 1:51 PM | | Am I crazy or is this a good idea?
I ride hydraulic disc brakes on one of my bikes. One time in a crash I tore a fluid line. There was no way to fix it in the field, so ended up walking all the steep downhills the whole way home. After that experience, I contemplated a V-brake backup... I run rims with a braking surface. I have rim-brake posts on the frame and fork. What the hell, why not install a V brake & cable on the bike and toss a lever in my camelbak when I do epic long rides. I could move it to the front if needed... It would only add, what, 300 grams for one lever and one V-brake?
Is this paranoia? Overkill? Or a good idea?
-Pete |
| a very few | JimC.
Aug 1, 2003 2:03 PM | | back country riders in BC ( and I'm sure elsewhere) do this. You're the 1st I've heard of pulling off a line; when I fist got my brakes, I figured severed lines would be big. I haven't' heard of it happening in Vancouver with our riding crew at all in 3 years. FWIW, Jim |
| failed line was partly my fault | PmbH
Aug 1, 2003 2:08 PM | | Went from a 3" fork and flat bar to a 5" fork and riser without getting a longer front brake hose. It was pulled kinda tight... Lesson learned. |
| One thing I do ... | Duncan!
Aug 1, 2003 4:15 PM | | and may not have helped a damaged hose but still worth a thought ... carry a bleed kit and some hydaulic fluid. This has helped me out in a couple of instances. There are lots of other more likely scenarios that could render your bike likewise unrideable - tacoed/busted rim, broken frame, destroyed dereilleur, busted brake levers etc etc. So why obsess about ripping your hydraulic hose.
Also, by preparing for one specific failure, you immediatley tempt the Gods to wreak havoc in some other way (y'know, like how it rains the day you decide not to bring a raincoat, or you get a flat the one time you leave your patchkit and pump at home). D. |
| It'd be easier to. . . | glenzx
Aug 4, 2003 6:54 AM | | . . . put the rear caliper / line on the front. I assume if you had to walk sections that it was the front that failed / broke. You could easily put the rear caliper on, coil the excess hose and zip tie it off. I know in a pinch, I can ride most anything with just the front brake, albeit slow and careful on nasty stuff, but riding is better than hoofin' it. All you'd need is the allen wrenches and some zip ties, and something to clip the old zip ties off with. The idea of carrying a whole replacement set-up seems overkill. Why not just bring fluid, hose, and fittings then? |
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