|   don't brake my heart... | trootfisher
Apr 2, 2002 7:17 AM | | I just got back into biking last year and got a sweet deal on a closeout 2000 Rockhopper. Now that I've been riding a bit I would
like to upgrade to disc brakes. I've read some of the previous posts, but would still like to ask a few questions on how to cheaply upgrade my bike, without feeling like I should just buy a new bike (I'm getting married this year, so that's not an option!).
So, which is better Formula Activa, or Shimano Deore? They both have nice price tags. The bike came with a manitou magnum fork, will there be any mounting problems with either brake? Will adding discs add a significant weight difference?
Any other recommendations, suggestions?
Thanks!!! |
| Good place to start | pbhulipo
Apr 2, 2002 7:53 AM | | Activas would be a good place to start for the disc brakes and rotors. You can use your current brake levers. Make sure your frame and fork are disc compatible. You will need new brake housings and cables because the both brakes are now further away. The biggest cost is actually your new disc compatible hubs and getting the wheels rebuilt; or buy new wheelset and sell the old set on eBay to offset costs. In fact you can sell your Vs to offset costs too.
Depending on your riding, I would suggest keeping the V and save your money.
pbhulipo
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/pbhulipo/ |
| Try here........ | Mr. Tokyo
Apr 2, 2002 3:40 PM | | www.jensonusa.com
Wheelset: Deore M555 disk hubs on Mavic 223 disk rims, 109.00 set
Brakes: Formula Activas, Fr and Rr 50.00
Adapter from www.Thorusa.com for Manitou fork, 17.00
Cables: Get from your LBS, caoted cables and housing w/plastic liner
Less than 200.00 to go to disk. The Shimano hubs are nice and smooth. I have the Activa's on order but there are some people out there (Mike T.) that love them. (Note, if you get the Deore mech brakes, make sure you get the M515LA's, as they have the longer arm so they are better than the old Deores) I hope this helps ya....
Rob |
| Try here........ | sean
Apr 2, 2002 4:11 PM | | Thanks Rob.
I already checked JensonUSA.com and that's what sparked my interest in the first place. I am happy to see that I can actually upgrade to disc without feeling I should just buy a new bike. I've read a lot of bad reviews about the Mavic 223s so I may shop around more for new wheelsets.
By the way, are new wheelsets and disc brakes hard to install? How hard is it to transfer the cassette from old wheelset to new wheelset?
Thanks a lot!! |
| Changing parts.......... | Mr. Tokyo
Apr 2, 2002 5:03 PM | | Should be very easy, as long as your comfortable doing it yourself. You need a chain whip (to hold the cassette) and the special tool to remove the lock-ring on the cassette, and then just reverse the process except no chain whip is needed to tighten the lock-ring. Don't forget to put some grease on the cassette splines to keep it from corroding. The brakes are very easy to set up, just follow the provided instructions and if you run into any problems, just ask here. I gather the Activa's don't need shims due to their design (floating caliper) but you may want to get stainless bolts for the rotor, as the ones with the brake are a bit cheap (this is what I have heard). Going from Vee's to disk is easy. Oh, since you have a new wheel-set you may have to re-adjust your rear de-railer because the hub may be in a slightly different posistion than your old hub. When you fir the cables, rough fit them first before you finalize/cut them, so you can see if there will be any binding/chaffing. Also, run a full length for the rear brake, it will be smoother and needs less maintenance. |
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