Question about upgrading to disc brakes.

Sgray

Hi, I've got a 2005 Gary Fisher Marlin with V brakes, and the area I ride most of the time still has some wet muddy parts. After a few nervous moments when the brakes weren't as good as usual, I thought it might be an idea to change to disc brakes.

My dilemma is what's the best way to upgrade? The frame and fork has the mountings for a disc brake, but I will also need to change wheels. The problem as always is money. So do you think it would be better to buy the brakes and wheels separately i.e get the brakes first, then buy the wheel or vice versa and then do the upgrade? Or upgrade the front brake and wheel, then back?

Also this would be my first time with disc brakes, so could I fit them or would it be better to get my LBS to do it? Do disc brakes need more care and attention than V brakes? Also would there be a specific wheel type I would need in relation to the wheels I have at the moment (I believe the wheels I have got are Shimano FH-RM 60 QR)?

Finally, what wheels and brakes would you recommend? Budget wise I could probably stretch to £200 total for the wheels and brakes.

Thank you for any advice you can give.

supersonic

You will need to get the same sort of wheels (albeit with disc mounts) ie with quick release axles front and rear.

No matter which way you do it, you have to use both together so I'd do it in one go. They can be fit at home.

Great wheels for the money:

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/w ... lizer.html

Then brakes:

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/m ... isc+Brakes

Depending on your frame mounts you will need to buy adaptors, and also rotors.

So if you get two of these:

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/BSSHRT52CR/ ... disc_rotor

And you have IS mounts on fork and frame then you'd need:

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_ ... cts_id=359

To fit 160mm rotors. Almost all brakes come as PM (post mount).

Sgray

Thanks Supersonic, please excuse my ignorance but the part about IS mounts on the fork confused me. How do I find out if I need the adapters? The fork is a Manitou Axel Comp 100mm.

The Rookie

If the hole is across the fork (parallel to the axle) it's IS mount, if it's into the fork from the rear its Post mount (or PM), most manitou are PM but post photo's if you have any doubt.

New bits are nice, but for wheels why not look for used, on that age bike it seems silly to splash on new parts worth more than the bike! If you can get used then Carrera DDM are good and quite light.

Sgray

Thank you for answer Beginner, I think the mounts are on the back of the fork (cannot find shed key at the moment to look). As for buying second hand, to be honest I don't know enough about MTBs to know if I was getting a good deal or if the part was in good condition.

cooldad

The mounts will be on the back of the fork, check which way the holes are per The Beginners post.

Sgray

Hi I have now ordered the brakes and about to order rotors, but then I remembered I need rim tape for wheels. Is there a specific size rim tape I need? The on-one website has different widths from 10-22mm. The wheels are http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/w ... lizer.html. I am using the on-one website as they have the rotors reccomended.

Thanks again for your help.

supersonic

Electrical tape - two wraps around the wheel.

The Rookie

+1 - then cut a cross across the valve hole and push the valve through.

Sgray

Cheers, I ended up ordering some 16mm rim tape £1.99, as I was already getting rotors and the postage cost was the same.