Upgrading to disc brakes

bobbyg81

Hi folks.
I have a Spesh Rockhopper which has some crappy v brakes on it. I have an unused set of STX RC brakes and levers which I can put on it but I think Id be better going for some discs.

Im thinking a budget of a £100 and have seen some rather nice lookin Avid Elixir 1 in white for that price. They include a 180mm front and 160mm rear rotor.

I can get a black set with a 200mm front and 160mm rear for £110 or
200mm front and 180mm rear for £120.

Will I notice much difference with the bigger rotors?

Are there better ways to spend a ton?

Mainly for road riding with the odd bit trail riding.

Thanks in advance for any help

nicklouse

Are your wheels disc ready?

What year is it?

bobbyg81

The wheels and forks are definately disc ready. My LBS had a look at it for me.
I think its an 2003 or 04.

benpinnick

You'll notice the forks bending with the bigger rotors. Stick to the 180/160 combo. It will still feel like you've dropped anchor by comparison to the old ones.

bobbyg81

Thanks. I was secretly hoping that the smaller ones would be ok as I prefer the white. The bike is red with white manitou forks. That shouldnt matter but.....

Dave_P1

As the bike is mainly for road use 160mm rotor's will be perfect.

cooldad

bobbyg81 wrote:

The wheels and forks are definitely disc ready. My LBS had a look at it for me.
I think its an 2003 or 04.

You should be able to tell if the wheels can take rotors. Does the frame have disc mounts?

Pudseyp

I am not aware of any manufacturer that would supply a bike with v brakes and put disc specific hubs on v brake rims...especially if the bike is 7 years old...it just doesn't make sense.....the pro version was the only one with disc brakes...unless its been converted to v brakes obviously..... so was your lbs halfords per chance ?

bobbyg81

No it wasnt halfors it was a proper bike shop. It definately has disc mounts on the frame.

cooldad

And the wheels are definitely disc ready?

bobbyg81

Yes. Can I ask why you would think they aren't? I'm not being rude, just curious.

1mancity2

bobbyg81 wrote:

Yes. Can I ask why you would think they aren't? I'm not being rude, just curious.

The hubs should have bolt holes for a rotor to attach too, if there are no holes they arn't disc ready, as the guys have already said why would they have disc rdy hubs to run v brakes?

bobbyg81

OK I'll post pics so that you can see. I understand what you are saying but I cant see why the LBS would say they can take discs when they can't. They were going to fit them so they would give themselves a hard job if it can't.

You have all put doubt in my head now. The guy at the LBS seemed to know his stuff but if some of you can confirm for me that it is disc ready I'd appreciate it. Ill take some photos just now.

bobbyg81

Heres the photos for you to have a look at. Maybe someone can be so kind and let me know if I got the year right? I bought it S/H.

Pudseyp

Yes the hubs are disc compatible and you have a post mount on the fork, so you will be able to upgrade....it is obvioulsy the pro version that has been converted to v brakes by the previous owner...make sure you get six bolt rotors and not centre lock as they will not fit...

bobbyg81

Cheers. I fell better now.

I wonder why they converted to v brakes? Strange. I only paid £125 for it and it just had all new front and back deore lx derailleurs, lx shifters, chain and cassette.

Am I right in thinking I got a bargain?

1mancity2

bobbyg81 wrote:

Cheers. I fell better now.

I wonder why they converted to v brakes? Strange. I only paid £125 for it and it just had all new front and back deore lx derailleurs, lx shifters, chain and cassette.

Am I right in thinking I got a bargain?

Good bike for the money, maybe the seller has fallen on hard times.

The Rookie

Pudseyp wrote:

....it is obvioulsy the pro version that has been converted to v brakes by the previous owner...

The unmarked paint on the frame suggests to me it's never had discs on the rear at least, I've seen a few fully disc compatable bikes with V's, in fact I bought one as a donor bike (thet was a GT) when building my Wifes bike.

Simon

craker

It doesn't look to me like there's ever been disks on the wheels or calipers on the frame. There'd be some dirt marks or paint chips.

I did this conversion on my 2000 Jamis. I'm not convinced it made a whole lot of difference; if you ride mostly on the road I'd say to not bother. Get some better pads maybe.

jayson

mr_si wrote:

I did this conversion on my 2000 Jamis. I'm not convinced it made a whole lot of difference; if you ride mostly on the road I'd say to not bother. Get some better pads maybe.

In the wet discs will REALLY come into their own and for that reason alone it would be worth changing for your own safety sake if nothing else.

bobbyg81

Thanks for your replies.

I will be going off road more and mopre as I get fitter. Im just sticking to the road for now, doing between 5 and 10 miles a day most days, just to get the muscles working again. Its been 14 years since I was on a bike.

The seller hadnt fallen on hard times, he's a cycle leader with a youth group and had just upgraded. Mustve needed the space!

Im happy with it at the moment. Once I put on discs itll not be upgraded anymore, unless something breaks. Id rather get a new bike in a few years time.

The Rookie

Don't be tempted by cheap cable discs, the only cable discs I've used that were 'good' (as opposed to just about adequate) were Avid BB5 (or 7), hydraulics are a better bet.

Simon

bobbyg81

Thanks for the tip!

I think I'll almost definately be going for Avid Elixir 1s.

robmanic1

Shimano SLX for a tonne on CRC at the min

bobbyg81

Are they better than the elixir 1s? Have you got a link. I cant find them. Buying it all seperately is alolt more than a tonne!

benpinnick

Thats the older style, which weren't that highly rated, and you'll need discs too (which will add a further £20 or so). I would stick with the Avids.

Anonymous

benpinnick wrote:

You'll notice the forks bending with the bigger rotors. Stick to the 180/160 combo. It will still feel like you've dropped anchor by comparison to the old ones.

The forks and frame should be rated up to a certain size anyway. So long as you don't go bigger it's fine.

180/160 sounds like a good combo anyway for that bike. Bigger stuff for big rigs and mainly a benefit if you're going to be doing long periods of hard breaking.