Mountain Bike Question

[osidak]

Bought a Specialized Hard Rock back in 1997 or 98. Used to ride it pretty frequently but haven't done much in recent years.

Got the bug up my ass again and plan on riding again. Mainly light duty with some easy trails for the timing being.

Saw some nifty disk brakes for cheap. ($89 to $150) would like to swap them out for my v brakes

What is involved (know any good sights) and while I realize it is over kill for the riding I plan on doing I want to do it. Well unless it is totally retarded and the cost of the brakes are just the tip of the iceberg.

So anyone want to help me out.

[CamB]

You need disc mounting tabs on the fork and on the frame.

If they're there, it is a piece of cake. If they aren't there, a new fork (with the tabs) solves the front (although if your bike has a 1" head tube you are out of luck), but nothing short of a trip to the local welder (which is not advised if the frame is alloy and too expensive to be worth it if steel) will work it out. On top of that, you need hubs which accept discs...

So in your case, the brakes are just the tip of the iceberg. On my wife's bike, they'd just bolt on (it is designed that way - it even has disc hubs) - but its a problem for you.

However, the good news is that a whole new Hard Rock with discs is only $440. Mind you, the spec is pretty low on that (wouldn't stand up to extended rough usage). The Rockhopper is much better (at twice the price of course).

(edit) Note there is a difference between mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes.

[osidak]

I have a set of lugs (I think) on the rear. On the seat down tube. Not sure about the front.

Know of any good sites I can check out for photos of what I am looking for so I have a better understanding.

thanks

[campbellcj]

Coincidentally I dragged my mtn bike down from the garage ceiling rack last weekend too! I haven't ridden at all in several years (since pre-kid and pre-job hellishness, basically). I have a few new parts and clothes/accessories on order with the intention of getting back in the saddle.

What is the primary benefit of the disc brakes? Is it mainly for wet terrain? I have never done a lot of downhill or any real wet stuff, but honestly brake upgrades are typically the last thing on my mind in typical road or cross-country kind of stuff. Kinda like my 914 -- I try not to use the brakes a whole lot.

[cegerer]

The rear disc tab will be mounted on the seat stay as pictured here:

[nikita76]

I agree with Cam B. It's going to be WAY more economical to buy a bike off the rack. It's not just a matter of buying brakes and making sure you have disc brake tabs on your frame and fork. You also need a new wheelset that will accept your new disc brake rotors. Check e-bay or Craigs list. Better yet buy a new bike and take advantage of the lifetime warranty(usually) on the frame &1 year on parts. You should be able to find something really good for under $600.00

Good luck!

Nikita

[turbo6bar]

Slippery slope. Get on the bike and ride it first, or your bike may end up like so many (hanging in the garage).

[kaisen]

Bikes have come a long way since 1998.....so much more than brakes. Ride yours for a while, then try out a couple at a bike shop and you'll see the difference. Then you can decide if it's worth buying a new one.

E

[CamB]

Yeah - Judy forks used to be good - now they are bottom of the range. I suspect the newest ones are better than the ones from back then too. Price for the technology has CHANGED bigtime.

What is the primary benefit of the disc brakes? Is it mainly for wet terrain? I have never done a lot of downhill or any real wet stuff, but honestly brake upgrades are typically the last thing on my mind in typical road or cross-country kind of stuff. Kinda like my 914 -- I try not to use the brakes a whole lot.

They are:

- heaps better in mud/wet
- good for modulation (well, I've got Shimano hydraulic ones and they do)
- blingy
- pretty low maintenance

Discs are almost standard now, except on cheaper bikes or bikes where weight is the primary concern.

(edit) Oh yeah, so you don't need them. Having Vs wouldn't put me off buying a bike.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by kaisen
Bikes have come a long way since 1998.....so much more than brakes. Ride yours for a while, then try out a couple at a bike shop and you'll see the difference. Then you can decide if it's worth buying a new one.

E

Can't stress enough how true this is. Unless you're riding a custom (for you) built frame you're only realistic option is to replace the whole bike.

[nostatic]

I don't know that I agree that bikes have come such a long way. I look at my mid-90's technology Moots and can't think of anything I'd really change. v-brakes work fine and are dead simple to setup/maintain. My old modified Judy with Englund air cartridges similarly requires almost no maintenance. The XT/XTR drivetrain mix works just as well as anything new.

Truth be told I'd like to get a rigid fork for my Moots and run that way. Newer doesn't necessarily mean better...

[kang]

Give the message boards on http://www.mtbr.com/ a shot. I've gotten good mountain bike advice there.

[osidak]

Don't really feel like dropping coin for a new bike right now so it would appear my disk brake aspirations will just have to wait

Thanks for the picture cegerer and thanks for all the information guys.

[CamB]

Newer doesn't necessarily mean better...

Todd, I think the main point is that what was state of the art, $5,000 bike 5 years ago is now (aside from the frame) almost what you get for maybe $1500-2000 (as a new bike).

The $3000 bike can now be more or less replicated for way under $1000.

(edit) To be fair, the XT and XTR stuff is pretty bulletproof and there hasn't been a total trickledown, but at least in terms of weight the newest cheaper groups are getting there.

[bob tilton]

man i am kickin' it ol' school based on this thread. my bike is becoming a classic just like my car.
i would agree that there is no point in investing/upgrading your current bike. i would get a tune-up and ride it. build some base miles and see how you feel in a few months after regularly riding the bike. maybe then buy a new/used bike.
as for me i still enjoy my gt xizang hardtail with full xtr and v-brakes.

[JavaBrewer]

You're right Todd, but Osidak has a late 90's era Specialized Hard Rock. And he's talking about $89-$150 disk brakes. At that price point newer is definitely better.

[osidak]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
You're right Todd, but Osidak has a late 90's era Specialized Hard Rock. And he's talking about $89-$150 disk brakes. At that price point newer is definitely better.

So you are telling me my bike is junk is that it

wasn't expensive but when I bought it I couldn't drop more than coin than I did (bought my wife a Trek 800 at the same time) and know I don't want to drop anymore so I am happy with what I got. Just looking for some better brakes and a new toy at the same time.

[911boost]

Don't worry Osidak, there are plentyt of old school bikers out there that feel the same as you. WIth a little refreshening and a new front fork, my 90's Cannondale works just fine for me.

Bill

[BGCarrera32]

Originally posted by CamB
Newer doesn't necessarily mean better...

Todd, I think the main point is that what was state of the art, $5,000 bike 5 years ago is now (aside from the frame) almost what you get for maybe $1500-2000 (as a new bike).

The $3000 bike can now be more or less replicated for way under $1000.

Ditto...I had the Amp Research B4 which was the first bike with lightweight "viable" D1 disc brakes (hydraulic slave cylinder that was cable actuated) and when they were up to snuff the V brake had squat for power or modulation against the Amp units. Obviously others had disc brakes well before Amp, but the Amp design was peddled of to Rock Shox and the mounts got standardized. The problem was those brakes were $450+ a wheel at the time. The B4 in total was around $4500 built with XT. Today a bike with that technology is half that. The B4 I had came about in 1997.

Composite frames have dropped a lot in price and have come a long way from prepurchased CF tubes bonded together in aluminum lugs. True lay up optimized designs like the Trek OCLV stuff and Specialized frames with the Zertz dampers have come about leaps and bounds and are much cheaper than 5 years ago.

-BG

[cegerer]

If disc brakes are not possible, the trick setup is Magura hydraulic rim brakes. These things are German-made and awesome!

http://www.magura.com/