can i put disk brakes on a BMX?

Question

i just want to know if i can because i have just bought a disc brake kit but im not sure if it fits on my BMX

Answer 1

Yeah heres a example...it should say if it's for a BMX???
Atomic Disc brake adapter.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Atomic-Disc-brake-adapter_W0QQitemZ220088584487QQcmdZViewItem

This might help you : )
Disc brakes on a BMX bike?
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-62949.html

Answer 2

don't know what the link below is on about. anyway, there is no point really, Firstly a disc brake would give too much power for a 20" wheel and secondly if a BMX was ridden as they are designed to be ridden the disc wouldn't last long. It would be possible to do but it would involve custom axle length hubs and welding to the frame and forks to do it properly. Not worth doing. PS. the awful budget "bmx" bikes available from supermarkets and the like that do come with discs aren't real bmx's, rather, bmx shaped toys.

Answer 3

I'm not an expert on BMX issues, but I can comment on the mechanical aspects of this conversion.

1st - unless your frame has disc mounting tabs you're most likely out of luck.

Tha adaptor that TobyG mentioned looks like it will work if set up properly. This means that you will have to have a disc brake with the proper mount spacing and enough lateral adjustment so you have clearance. The drawbacks I see to it are that you will need to actually disconnect the brake to remove the rear wheel since the adaptor, and therefore the caliper are attached to the rear axle instead of the frame. Also, the alignment problems you're going to run into could make it completely worthless unless you're an expert mechanic. I'm guessing you're not, since you asked the question in this forum to begin with.

If you're in love with the frame, take it to a competent frame builder and have him braze on a set of disc tabs. If your frame is aluminum I would recommend against it, and any reputable frame builder wouldn't do it for you.

Then you will need a wheel with a disc hub.

We're starting to talk about serious money here.

As far as 'needing' the power is concerned, From what I've been able to get online it's not really an issue unless you race. Trials/stunt riders don't like them, claiming too much wheel flex. Good luck finding a 48 spoke hub with disc mounts too. For racers, the added power and modulation can be an added benefit, but not much. Remember, the reason disc brakes were created for MTBs was for sloppy conditions. Disc brakes retain their stopping power much better than a muddy, wet, icy rim. Also the added power is a necessity for downhillers. They just don't seem to be necessary for BMX.

My recommendation - take the brake back and use the money for something you need, maybe your college fund?

Answer 4

Not unless your frame and fork have disc mounting tabs on them AND you have disc-compatible hubs, and I have never seen a BMX bike with them.

Besides, BMX bikes will never need the power that disc brakes have. Any fancy conversion kits will not withstand the forces generated by them, and if you really want a disc-equipped dirt jumper there are plenty of mountain bikes that will fit the bill.

Unless there is some special bike out there that I have not seen in my frequent trips to bike shops, the answer is NO. You should take the brakes back.

Answer 5

Mountain Cycle made a disc BMX bike for one season, way back, but I can't remember the hubs that were on them. The key is the hubs, as there are disc mount adapters.

Good luck with this, as I just finished a "FrankenBike" project myself........not a disc BMX but fun none the less.

Answer 6

You can in fact use disk brakes on a bmx bike but you will need a special adapter to mount to the bike to allow the brake mechanisms to attach. Unfortunately, you will not get te same benefits that a mountain bike would get, but it might look cool.

Answer 7

well it depends what kind of bornineo you dont got