Fitting Disk Brakes to my MTB?

Question

I have a 1997 Hard Tail Gary Fisher - the bike is in superb condition as I've looked after it very well. I currently have V brakes which are good but slacken off fairly regular. Are disk brakes that much better?. As I assume I would need to change my front shocks, front and rear wheels?

Answer 1

1997 is a little early for you bike to have been fitted with the proper tabs for disc brakes. These require special mounts and stops both on the fork and rear stay to mount the caliper. Discs also require special hubs to which the rotors are mounted.

In all, I think that it would be far less expensive to purchase a new bike with discs instead of trying to rig discs on your existing bike.

Answer 2

I wouldn't recommend it, simply because for the money you'll be spending you could invest in a brand spanking new bike, complete with discs.

You'd need new wheels (or at the very least new hubs - which, with rebuilding costs would cost as much as new wheels), and possibly a new fork, if your's doesn't have mounting points. Asides from that, your frame may not have the cable routing or brake mounts.

Discs are better than Vs in general, with better mud clearance, and under normal conditions they brake a while lot faster.

Answer 3

Mechanical disk brakes are subject to cable stretch just like V-Brakes. Having no cables to stretch, hydraulic disk brakes do not have the same issue.

As others have stated, you can install disk brakes if:

1. Your bike has a disk brake mount for the rear wheel.
2. You'll need a fork with a disk brake mount.
3. You'll need disk brake compatible wheels for the brake rotors.

If you can install disk brakes, the big issue is what you hope to gain? Disk brakes do provide a bit more stopping power, but, in general, V brakes do a perfectly adequate job of halting forward progress.

In my humble opinion, mechanical disk brakes offer no real advantage over V brakes. They are heavier, more complicated, and are going to cost you a bundle to retrofit your bike.

You only get the big advantage of feathery, light touch with hydraulic disk brakes. The feather touch is really sweet on long rides and especially epic downhill runs when your forearms and hands are likely to get fatigued from constant braking. Like mechanical brakes, they are heavier, more complicated and will cost an even bigger bundle on the retrofit.

If your current wheels are shot and your fork is no longer up to snuff, but you love your frame, it might make sense to do these upgrades. Frankly though, given the retail cost of retrofitting your bike with new wheels, fork and disk brakes, I suspect you'll be better off getting an entirely new steed.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

This 1997 Gary Fisher MTB frame have tabs for disk brakes ? I think that better idea is to invest money to new bike .

Answer 5

Swap out the entire fork instead for a disc fork. If you do that, make sure the steerer tube is long enough for your frame. I'm with Old Hippie though. Better to just get a whole 'nother bike. What you're gonna pay for in labor (or your own mistakes) you'll end up spending anyway.

Answer 6

Probably you could not put a rear disc, unless the frame has the disc tabs. I think that what you would need to invest is too much money just to change disc... Well, you would get new wheels, fork and brakes, but probably not worth it.

Answer 7

Yes in wet or muddy places if it was me I would stay with the v-brakes it is not worth the effort .I think maybe you should sell the bike you have buy a new bike !

Answer 8

How about hydraulic V brakes instead a-la Magura? A much simpler option without the cable stretch issues you have from cabled units.