Can you run disc brakes with STI levers

ricktabor1
ricktabor1 Posts: 272
edited June 2013 in Workshop
Hi,

I have a Kona Sutra touring frame and project 2 forks. This combo enables me to run disc brakes (when i eventually put disc hubs on my wheel). At the moment i'm running cantis with STi levers and i just wanted to know if the disc brakes will run ok with these levers.

I only ask as i know that you can't run V brakes with STI's without an adapter.

If anyone can advise me, that would be wicked.

Ta Richie
Got to get up to get down

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    yes the road specific ones.

    like the Avid BB7 road.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • ricktabor1
    ricktabor1 Posts: 272
    Thanks Nick.

    Looks like I owe you one AGAIN. You always reply quick.

    I'll check out the BB7's then, I wanted some Avids. Might keep an eye out on the classifieds for some cos i'm really tight fisted!
    Got to get up to get down
  • Jay dubbleU
    Jay dubbleU Posts: 3,159
    My Genesis has Shimano cable discs running on 105 STI shifters
  • bryanm
    bryanm Posts: 218
    I run Tektro Mini-V's with STI's, without adapters and they work great. Purely because I need a new project I am upgrading to discs once all the bits have been delivered.
  • bryanm
    bryanm Posts: 218
    ricktabor1 wrote:
    Thanks Nick.

    Looks like I owe you one AGAIN. You always reply quick.

    I'll check out the BB7's then, I wanted some Avids. Might keep an eye out on the classifieds for some cos i'm really tight fisted!

    Planet X have BB7 Road for 59-99 each - cheapest I have seen.
  • ricktabor1
    ricktabor1 Posts: 272
    Cheers bryanm,

    I just had a quick check on 'Chain reaction cycles' and they've got them for £54.99 so you can save a tenner if you've not got them yet.
    Got to get up to get down
  • ricktabor1
    ricktabor1 Posts: 272
    I take that back - they're not the road specific ones.......ignore me
    Got to get up to get down
  • ricktabor1
    ricktabor1 Posts: 272
    Just out of interest, does anyone know why you can't run MTB disc brakes with STI shifters?
    Got to get up to get down
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    pull ratios are wrong. although you could fit a travel adjuster.

    Alternatively you can run any disc brake with a two piece clamp as an interrupter and by clever bodging have hydro disc brakes! Check this out if you're interested.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    You can run MTB cable-discs, just that cable adjustment is a bit more critical i.e. to ensure that the pads meet the disc before the lever hits the bar! BTW BB7s are great brakes.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    nicklouse wrote:
    yes the road specific ones.

    like the Avid BB7 road.

    It says they're compatible with SRAM, do you foresee any issue with Shimano Tiagra levers?

    I am thinking of changing the Shimano cable disc brakes on my Croix de Fer as they're not that great and every time I take off a wheel then I need to readjust the pads, which is a bit of a Pain in the xxxx
    left the forum March 2023
  • PeterBL
    PeterBL Posts: 209
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    It says they're compatible with SRAM, do you foresee any issue with Shimano Tiagra levers?
    Should make no difference. All road levers (Except Shimano 5700, 6700 and 7900) have roughly the same cable pull.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    I've used BB7s with numerous levers - no problems. Cable pull for most road brakes is pretty well the same regardless of make - only Shimano 7900 is a little different.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • salsarider79
    salsarider79 Posts: 828
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    It says they're compatible with SRAM, do you foresee any issue with Shimano Tiagra levers?

    Might have something to do with Avid and SRAM being part of the same company....
    jedster wrote:
    Just off to contemplate my own mortality and inevitable descent into decrepedness.
    FCN 3 or 4 on road depending on clothing
    FCN 8 off road because I'm too old to go racing around.
  • Ramanujan
    Ramanujan Posts: 352
    Just out of interest do disk brakes require more or less cable pull than ordinary rim brakes?
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    MTB brake levers have greater cable pull than road ones i.e. if you use a road lever with an MTB cable brake, the lever hits the bars before the brakes fully bite. To make life difficult, Shimano decided in it's wisdom to change the cable pull on it's road levers from the industry norm used by Campagnolo and SRAM which is why some people have problems with BB7 roads with Shimano levers. I have a couple of pairs of BB7s on bikes, but I'd consider the new TRPs - they're lighter and have a dual-piston design.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Ramanujan
    Ramanujan Posts: 352
    Thanks Monty.
    I'm hoping to use BB7 \roads with these:
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=27936
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Ramanujan wrote:
    Thanks Monty.
    I'm hoping to use BB7 \roads with these:
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=27936

    Yup, no problem - they're nice levers, I have a pair on my fixed gear bike.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Ramanujan
    Ramanujan Posts: 352
    great. Thanks Monty

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