mech to hydraulic brakes

kenyanscott

Hi Everyone,

So I did my first upgrade this month - I got SPD pedals and shoes - and It was an easy upgrade for me, and Its worked out well, I enjoy the pedals and even thought I fell off a couple of times, I feel its helping me with my cycling already.

So, I'm planning more - Im wanting to to upgrade a few parts of my bikes over the coming months (basically every pay day get something new)

so the first upgrade is swap out my mechanical disc brakes and install hydraulic disc brakes.

some background information:

bike - Diamondback Decent 29er - 2015
forks - Fork: Suntour XCT-MLO 29R fork with 80mm travel
Current brakes - Mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors

Now Ive been given the suggestion that I want to go to 180mm rotor on the front and stick with a 160mm in the back.

questions I have:

1) what type/style of rotor should I get
2) will I need an adaptor for the front rotor to go to 180mm and will the fork give enough clearance as it stands?
3) do I need to replace the rotor if im changing the brakes or can I get away with keeping them and just changing the actually brakes themselves?
4) Im hearing Shimano is the best to get (my budget is £80 roughly) or are they are other alternatives to get at the end of the month which are just as good.
5) Am I missing anything else here?

I'm going to look to replace the fork the month after or after that if I need to save up.


Thanks

larkim

Can't see the need for a bigger rotor if its stopping you already.

I picked up a pair of Shimano Acera hydraulic brakes including levers (no rotors) for about £40, same spec as those fitted to my son's £1200 Canyon Nerve. Nowt wrong with them, and feel much nicer (and easier to maintain) than the cable brakes. It also means we share pads so easier to keep spares in!

cooldad

1 - any in the right size with the right fitting, assuming 6 bolt?
2 - yes, which depends on whether the fork is IS or post mount, ditto the brakes.
3 - no, rotors are rotors.
4 - Shimano probably and cheap deals at the moment from CRC and Merlin.
5 - probably not.

Fork is untimate rubbish. Change asap.

codfather

kenyanscott wrote:

Hi Everyone,

1) what type/style of rotor should I get
2) will I need an adaptor for the front rotor to go to 180mm and will the fork give enough clearance as it stands?
3) do I need to replace the rotor if im changing the brakes or can I get away with keeping them and just changing the actually brakes themselves?
4) Im hearing Shimano is the best to get (my budget is £80 roughly) or are they are other alternatives to get at the end of the month which are just as good.
5) Am I missing anything else here?

I'm going to look to replace the fork the month after or after that if I need to save up.


Thanks

I would replace the fork first and worry about the brakes thereafter, but in answer to your questions.

1) It doesn't matter. Unless you spend a large sum of money, they're all but the same.
2) You will need a post to post or IS to post mount adapter depending on the forks
3) The difference in braking power will be huge. You'll notice a big improvement even if you keep the standard rotor.
4) Shimano is your best bet, M616 or SLX if the budget will stretch.
5) As before, forks would be a better place to spend money initially.

kenyanscott

I've seen the brakes for £40

i could probably order them today

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... prod129564

im intregued about the fork now.

any recommendations?

I think I could push a £150 budget next month on a fork.

Chunkers1980

You won't go wrong with those brakes just the 615s are better and not much more and have more in common with brakes way up the line just with heavier materials

The Rookie

kenyanscott wrote:

I'm intrigued about the fork now.

any recommendations?

Suntour Epicon/Epixon is an excellent fork on a relative budget (29ers are circa £150 on ebay).

cobba

If the current shifters are integrated with the brake levers then new shifters will be needed if you buy hydraulic brakes.