Disc Brake Help

[Luke Dunstan]

I have this bike...

Jamis Durango 1

And I want to upgrade the discs to Hydraulics.

both discs are 160mm at the moment, what do I need to keep in mind if I wanted 185mm? And the IS mount which is the option on some brakes is confusing me a bit.

I have only ever used a BB7 before these, which luckily went on to my forks without any issue. But really need to get this right.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Edited August 24, 2011 by Luke Dunstan

[Matthew62]

You don't really need to bare anything in mind. If you want 185mm discs you can have them. Whichever brakes you go for will be supplied with all the necessary fittings. MTB's aren't like trials bike with mounts at various intervals - they're just at the normal location so there's no maths to do.

IS is a form of bolting the caliper to the bike or fork which differs from post-mount. Both are fairly equally common so whenever you order make sure the brake is IS and not post-mount - however as you might have expected there is always adapters.

[Luke Dunstan]

You don't really need to bare anything in mind. If you want 185mm discs you can have them. Whichever brakes you go for will be supplied with all the necessary fittings. MTB's aren't like trials bike with mounts at various intervals - they're just at the normal location so there's no maths to do.

IS is a form of bolting the caliper to the bike or fork which differs from post-mount. Both are fairly equally common so whenever you order make sure the brake is IS and not post-mount - however as you might have expected there is always adapters.

Excellent, that helps loads Matthew.

Much appreciated.

[Matthew62]

I should also mention (although i'm sure you already know) that IS just stands for 'International Standard' which is the method when the bolt is secured in to the side of the caliper adjacent to the rotor, whereas post mount the bolt mounts in to two little posts on the top of the caliper in line with the disc itself.

What brakes are you looking at specifically?

[Luke Dunstan]

I should also mention (although i'm sure you already know) that IS just stands for 'International Standard' which is the method when the bolt is secured in to the side of the caliper adjacent to the rotor, whereas post mount the bolt mounts in to two little posts on the top of the caliper in line with the disc itself.

What brakes are you looking at specifically?

Well, looking to spend £100 ideally. maybe a bit more.

Hayes Stroker

These looked ideal, but then I'd need adaptors?

Maybe stretch to the Formula Oro K18

Edited August 24, 2011 by Luke Dunstan

[Tomm]

Do you actually need 185mm? I say that because hydro discs will probably feel much nicer and more powerful anyway than the mechanical Tektros, and 160 is fine for XC for most people. A lot of the time if you buy disc brakes cheap, they won't come with rotors or adaptors, which is fine if you've already got them on your bike (you will have the right bits on that Jamis). At any rate you could buy the brakes and if they're still not powerful enough, you could buy bigger rotors and adaptors later?

P.S. If you ARE going to change the rotors, you'l need new adaptors. I think those forks look like post mount, the rear will be IS. As mathew says, check if it's IS or post (http://terrengsykkel.no/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=916317)

P.P.S. The best deal on discs I've seen recently is from Merlin. They've got Avid Elixir Rs for £45 each (only if you sign up for their "VIP" scheme), some cheaper ones on there too (I think Juicy 3s are £30).

[haydon_peter]

After seeing people I ride with have stupid problems with the Levers on their Hayes brakes I wouldn't touch those Hayes Stroker brakes with a barge pole.

Formula brakes are meant to be nice but getting spares is not meant to be too easy.

I have Shimano Brakes on both of my bikes and am very happy with them! Check out Rose Bikes, they have some pretty good prices on Shimano brakes, they are based in Germany however loads of people on other forums have purchased stuff from them with no problems. The brakes will come with the levers the wrong way around so you will have to swap the levers over but this isn't really a problem because wherever you buy new brakes you would probably have to shorten the hoses anyway.

[Luke Dunstan]

Do you actually need 185mm? I say that because hydro discs will probably feel much nicer and more powerful anyway than the mechanical Tektros, and 160 is fine for XC for most people. A lot of the time if you buy disc brakes cheap, they won't come with rotors or adaptors, which is fine if you've already got them on your bike (you will have the right bits on that Jamis). At any rate you could buy the brakes and if they're still not powerful enough, you could buy bigger rotors and adaptors later?

P.S. If you ARE going to change the rotors, you'l need new adaptors. I think those forks look like post mount, the rear will be IS. As mathew says, check if it's IS or post (http://terrengsykkel.no/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=916317)

P.P.S. The best deal on discs I've seen recently is from Merlin. They've got Avid Elixir Rs for £45 each (only if you sign up for their "VIP" scheme), some cheaper ones on there too (I think Juicy 3s are £30).

Well, I'm about 14 stone. And what I'm using at the moment just doesn't stop me fast enough. You think 160mm when used with a Hydro will be a lot more effective?

As there are 160mm rotors already on the bike, I will stick with 160mm and see how it goes.

Thank you for the advice, much appreciated!

After seeing people I ride with have stupid problems with their Hayes brakes I wouldn't touch those Hayes Stroker brakes with a barge pole.

Formula brakes are meant to be nice but getting spares is not meant to be too easy.

I have Shimano Brakes on both of my bikes and am very happy with them! Check out Rose Bikes, they have some pretty good prices on Shimano brakes, they are based in Germany however loads of people on other forums have purchased stuff from them with no problems. The brakes will come with the levers the wrong way around so you will have to swap the levers over but this isn't really a problem because wherever you buy new brakes you would probably have to shorten the hoses anyway.

I read thread a bit lower down, you mentioned the Shimano SLX brakes? I've seen these on CRC for about £60 each, you think these would be the best to go for?

I would prefer to use an English retailer, even if the cost will be slightly more. (call me old fashioned)

Thanks for helping!

[Matthew62]

SLX's by all accounts are very good brakes.

I've never bought Shimano discs myself and i know they favour centrelock hubs/discs so make sure if you go for them that you get 6 bolt rotors to be compatible with your hub.

They have the servo-wave technology which means you shouldn't ever suffer from rubbing discs which is always nice.

[Luke Dunstan]

centrelock hubs/discs so make sure if you go for them that you get 6 bolt rotors to be compatible with your hub.

What's this? I have standard 6 bolt discs/hubs as far as I'm aware. Does that mean they're not compatible?

Thanks!

[Matthew62]

Yeah, it appears the SLX brakes don't come with discs anyway so don't worry about that.

The £60 brakes on CRC are post mount only so if you've got post mount on the fonrt then great, but you'll need a post to IS adapter for the back (and the front of your forks are IS).

[Luke Dunstan]

Yeah, it appears the SLX brakes don't come with discs anyway so don't worry about that.

The £60 brakes on CRC are post mount only so if you've got post mount on the fonrt then great, but you'll need a post to IS adapter for the back (and the front of your forks are IS).

Pretty sure the front is post, and the rear is IS but already runs an adaptor! so all seems sweet!

Thanks so much for all the help Matt.

Edited August 25, 2011 by Luke Dunstan

[Matthew62]

Yeah i mean the new SLX from CRC comes as post mount only, so will need a post to IS adapter. Do you mean you already have one of these on your bike as your current caliper is post mount to IS?

[Luke Dunstan]

Yeah i mean the new SLX from CRC comes as post mount only, so will need a post to IS adapter. Do you mean you already have one of these on your bike as your current caliper is post mount to IS?

The fork is Post mount, but the rear is IS with a post mount adaptor already attached.

[Matthew62]

Sounds like you'll be good to go then hopefully.

[haydon_peter]

I read thread a bit lower down, you mentioned the Shimano SLX brakes? I've seen these on CRC for about £60 each, you think these would be the best to go for?

I would prefer to use an English retailer, even if the cost will be slightly more. (call me old fashioned)

Yes I recommend these brakes

Since recommending them to Paul Oliver I have spent 2 weeks in Morzine using these brakes and for the money I do not think you will get a better brake.

You might want a 180 rotor on the front but a 160 should be fine on the back.

If you want to be really old fashioned you could argue that CRC are not English, they are based in Ireland

[Luke Dunstan]

Yes I recommend these brakes

Since recommending them to Paul Oliver I have spent 2 weeks in Morzine using these brakes and for the money I do not think you will get a better brake.

You might want a 180 rotor on the front but a 160 should be fine on the back.

If you want to be really old fashioned you could argue that CRC are not English, they are based in Ireland

Haha, I suppose you're right!

What do they come as as standard 160mm? If I were to run 180mm would I need to adapt anything?

This seems like a stupid question, but I'm pretty new to disc brakes. Thanks for helping!

Edited August 25, 2011 by Luke Dunstan

[Tomm]

I've had SLX brakes for the last few years. They're basically a lower-quality version of the old-style XT brakes. In terms of power, I doubt there is any difference. There are just a few subtle differences which may be worth spending extra on (XTs are lighter, finishing is better, they have bite-point adjustment and you don't need pliers to replace the pads).

CRC are Northern Irish, so still British. Rose Cycles are German, but EU of course. I've used Rose before - Really good service, and I even received a free mug and sweeties. With the XT brakes at £66 each, I suspect I'll be using them again! It's up to you, but the new XT brakes for £66 on Rose cycles are a much better deal than old SLX for £64...

I think Matthew is confusing you a bit re: post vs IS mount. All disc brake calipers use the same mounting, they are post mount. If your frame is IS mount (most are) then you'll need an IS-to-post mount (in the right size for the rotor). If your forks are post mount then a 160mm rotor will work without any adaptors, but for bigger discs, you simply need a step up adaptor (post-to-post) which are either called +20mm/+40mm mounts or they'll be labelled by the disc diameter. The only thing to note is that adaptors for the front are different to adaptors for the rear. But if you're not changing the rotors, keep the same adaptors and you'll be fine.

EDIT: Actually brakes from Rose might be a bit of a faff since they'll have front brake = left hand and vice versa. Worse case scenario = swap the hose and rebleed but that's kind of annoying...

P.S. If you haven't check out those Elixirs I suggested earlier, have a look!

[Luke Dunstan]

P.S. If you haven't check out those Elixirs I suggested earlier, have a look!

Just checked out the Avids on Merlin, I just don't know what to choose now!!!

What about Magura Julie HPs? Good for that price? Or should I be steering back to either Avids or Shimano for that price?

What's the delivery time like for Rose Cycles?

Thanks again for all the help.

[Tomm]

Delivery was about 3 days from Rose, and it costs ~£5 (which isn't immediately clear).

I don't know about the Elixirs - every time I've used them on other people's bikes they feel amazing. Like, way better than any other brakes I've used. I've had a Juicy 7 and 2 Juicy 3s, they've been brilliant, so I don't think there are any long-term issues. However a couple of people have said the Elixirs do slightly funny things occasionally - my mate says they're not great in wet muddy conditions for example.

I don't think there's much in it really. Shimano levers are a different shape and feel (especially the Servo wave ones) so it may just be personal preference. Both are pretty reliable.

My choice would be the pair of XTs from Rose. Or if you can't be bothered with the hassle of bleeding them, get the Avids from Merlin. But the SLX from CRC are also a pretty good deal and they'll work fine too.

P.S. Did you sign up to the Merlin newsletter to get the "VIP" prices? That's a further 10% off already amazing prices. The downside is you don't seem to be able to get a pair of matching brakes. You either have to get a silver left and white right. The other option is to buy two rear brakes, and flip the lever (you can do this with Elixirs) for a front brake. You'll probably have to shorten the hose though.

EDIT: Nowhere seems to have those new XT brakes in stock, so forget about them for the time being.

[Luke Dunstan]

Delivery was about 3 days from Rose, and it costs ~£5 (which isn't immediately clear).

I don't know about the Elixirs - every time I've used them on other people's bikes they feel amazing. Like, way better than any other brakes I've used. I've had a Juicy 7 and 2 Juicy 3s, they've been brilliant, so I don't think there are any long-term issues. However a couple of people have said the Elixirs do slightly funny things occasionally - my mate says they're not great in wet muddy conditions for example.

I don't think there's much in it really. Shimano levers are a different shape and feel (especially the Servo wave ones) so it may just be personal preference. Both are pretty reliable.

My choice would be the pair of XTs from Rose. Or if you can't be bothered with the hassle of bleeding them, get the Avids from Merlin. But the SLX from CRC are also a pretty good deal and they'll work fine too.

P.S. Did you sign up to the Merlin newsletter to get the "VIP" prices? That's a further 10% off already amazing prices. The downside is you don't seem to be able to get a pair of matching brakes. You either have to get a silver left and white right. The other option is to buy two rear brakes, and flip the lever (you can do this with Elixirs) for a front brake. You'll probably have to shorten the hose though.

EDIT: Nowhere seems to have those new XT brakes in stock, so forget about them for the time being.

I think I'm going to stick with the SLX. CRC has a 10% off all prices at the moment, but it says today only and it's payday tomorrow!!!

Thanks for all the advice and input everyone's been a great help!

Next stop, new forks and a saddle!

[Luke Dunstan]

Fitted them last night, went on with no troubles and are far better than the cable discs I had on there.

Thanks again!