Any Mountainbikers on here?, Need advice re:- disc brakes Options

[Racer_J]

I was wondering if there were any mountainbikers on here?? I could do with some advice regarding disc brakes...

I own a Klein Attitude Race mountain bike (yeah, I know it's an antique LOL) which I use all the time. I've been thinking of upgrading to disc brakes for a while, however, the frame has no provision to mount the rear caliper. Does anyone know if there are any clamp-on type calipers/brackets for frames that don't have mounts for disc brakes?

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.


Cheers

[BigAl_UK]

A couple of companies did do clamp on type fittings - in fact hope do one I think - I seem to remember there's was better than everyone elses because it had a bracing bar as the problem with non disk equipped bikes is that the stays often aren't designed to take the stress and so flex. Mind you Klein's aren't exactly known for flexing

This post has been edited by BigAl_UK: Jun 7, 2007 - 8:43 AM

[Racer_J]

A couple of companies did do clamp on type fittings - in fact hope do one I think - I seem to remember there's was better than everyone elses because it had a bracing bar as the problem with non disk equipped bikes is that the stays often aren't designed to take the stress and so flex. Mind you Klein's aren't exactly known for flexing

Yeah, the things as rigid as hell! Be a shame to get rid of the frame though, it's a really good bike. When it was new I was told it had "the stiffest rear triangle of any hardtail bike" LOL Hopefully it should be OK with a disc brake. Either that or I'll just stick with my V's

Cheers mate

[BigAl_UK]

A couple of companies did do clamp on type fittings - in fact hope do one I think - I seem to remember there's was better than everyone elses because it had a bracing bar as the problem with non disk equipped bikes is that the stays often aren't designed to take the stress and so flex. Mind you Klein's aren't exactly known for flexing

Yeah, the things as rigid as hell! Be a shame to get rid of the frame though, it's a really good bike. When it was new I was told it had "the stiffest rear triangle of any hardtail bike" LOL Hopefully it should be OK with a disc brake. Either that or I'll just stick with my V's

Cheers mate

Given that most slowing braking is done with the front and the rear brakes more for steering (unless your a skid kid) then personally I would stick with V's on the back anyway unless you plough through really deep mud in the winter

Oh, and if you do go for disks at the back - just be aware that if you sometimes trap the back wheel between your legs if your stopped to look at a view, catch your breath or have a better drink from your camelback then you can get really painful moon shaped burns from the disks if you are in hilly terrain

This post has been edited by BigAl_UK: Jun 7, 2007 - 11:01 AM

[Racer_J]

A couple of companies did do clamp on type fittings - in fact hope do one I think - I seem to remember there's was better than everyone elses because it had a bracing bar as the problem with non disk equipped bikes is that the stays often aren't designed to take the stress and so flex. Mind you Klein's aren't exactly known for flexing

Yeah, the things as rigid as hell! Be a shame to get rid of the frame though, it's a really good bike. When it was new I was told it had "the stiffest rear triangle of any hardtail bike" LOL Hopefully it should be OK with a disc brake. Either that or I'll just stick with my V's

Cheers mate

Given that most slowing braking is done with the front and the rear brakes more for steering (unless your a skid kid) then personally I would stick with V's on the back anyway unless you plough through really deep mud in the winter

Oh, and if you do go for disks at the back - just be aware that if you sometimes trap the back wheel between your legs if your stopped to look at a view, catch your breath or have a better drink from your camelback then you can get really painful moon shaped burns from the disks if you are in hilly terrain

Thanks for that mate. Maybe I'll just stick with the V-brakes on the back and go for a disk on the front instead.

Cheers

[Sammyr]

I currently have a disk on the front and v brake at the back on my jump bike works fine as far as I am concerned

[Racer_J]

I currently have a disk on the front and v brake at the back on my jump bike works fine as far as I am concerned

Thanks for the info. I've just done a ride across country and noticed that I could have done with a bit more stopping power, especially on the off-road sections of the route. I've worn the brake blocks down quite a bit as a result, that's why I was looking at disks. Bearing what you've said in mind, I'll check out some front disks and see how things go from there.

[creis]

I have the same setup, disk in the frunt V in the back, I like the disk but the V stops faster, the disk is a much smoother slow to a stop (unless just slammed on the break then it can lock - and flip you up) I say keep a V in the back so it locks easy, but thats just what I like, I want that real strong grip in the back.

[BigAl_UK]

The other advantage of a front disk is I once blew a tyre because the rim overheated with a front V - this was doing a long descent off of Dartmoor on road and I had to keep braking because I kep getting stuck behind tourists in their cars Front tyre blew and I ended up in a hedge which was at least soft Disks don't make your rims overheat

[Racer_J]

Thanks guys. You've pretty much made my mind up for me! I've always thought that a rear disk would be more powerful than a V-brake but now it seems not necessarily the case. You've just saved me a fair bit of cash, thanks!

I'll let you know how I get on.

[Stubble]

Hey, I've got a question for you bikers. Do your bikes fit in the back of a 6gen? I have ST185 (5th gen), and I can fit 2 bikes inside the hatch - I was wondering if the 6gen is as roomy.

Thanks,
Brady
1990 ST185

[Sammyr]

Hey, I've got a question for you bikers. Do your bikes fit in the back of a 6gen? I have ST185 (5th gen), and I can fit 2 bikes inside the hatch - I was wondering if the 6gen is as roomy.

Thanks,
Brady
1990 ST185

Yup, no worries
I can get my downhill bike in with the rear wheel off and another with both wheels off (that is with both seats folded down)

[pepsiman]

what about with just the front wheel off? Will a bike fir then? (Sry if thread jacking)

[Sammyr]

what about with just the front wheel off? Will a bike fir then? (Sry if thread jacking)

I guess it depends on the bike a bit I cant get the dh bike in with only the front wheel off but i did manage to get my jump bike in the boot with both wheels on.

[Stubble]

Sounds good - good enough to consider a 6gen. I guess I really should just go have a look at one locally, even if it isn't the GT4 I want.

Brady