Disk Brake Troubles

[Footie]

I’ve still got troubles with my disk brakes.
Does anyone know if it's possible to change disk brakes to 'V' brakes or is it possible to fit different (better) disk brakes. If so which one’s should fit? I have included a picture to help identification.
My disk brakes are always rubbing and I have to set them so far off that they only just work - caused a few hairy moments when I’ve had to stop suddenly
Anyone able to point me in the right direction - would be appreciated
.

 

[Cyclezee]

I can't tell from the photo what make the disk is, but it might just be a case of aligning the caliper so that the disk has minimal clearance from the pads, but will spin freely without rubbing. If you can't do this, there is a problem with the disk or wheel.

J hn

 

[frank9755]

Fitting V-brakes is either very easy or next to impossible, depending on whether your forks have got the right mounts. If you have one reinforced hole near the top of each side of the fork where the v-brakes attach, you can. It's just a case of buying any standard v-brake and a new cable.

If not, it's not really practical and you'd need to search for a better disc brake. I know nothing about disc brakes so can't help with that bit!

It's possible that your disc could have got bent. There is a tool for detecting this and straigtening the disc, or it may be that a new disc would be simpler.

PS crossed with Aldby.

 

[Phil the drill]

I’ve still got troubles with my disk brakes.
Does anyone know if it's possible to change disk brakes to 'V' brakes or is it possible to fit different (better) disk brakes. If so which one’s should fit? I have included a picture to help identification.
My disk brakes are always rubbing and I have to set them so far off that they only just work - caused a few hairy moments when I’ve had to stop suddenly
Anyone able to point me in the right direction - would be appreciated
.

Hi

Sounds a little like you may have a warped disk. I would check that first, then check the caliper aligniment on the forks - they often need to be carefully shimmed to be exactly true, with pads parallel to the disc. That can be a fiddly operation to do, and may be worth the local bike shop's assistance.
I'm afraid cable operated disc brakes in general have a pretty poor reputation, but there are some good ones out there. I am a fan of the Avid BB07 (although I gather that this has just been updated and the spec changed - can't comment on the new version yet). I have posted about this disc on my bike before, and I am a very big fan of them. They are very easy to setup properly, and work very effectively.
Unless you have post mounts for V - brakes on your forks, fitting them will be virtually impossible. If you have the mounts, it will be very easy to put a decent pair on and a reasonable set of them will outperform a cheap cable disc any day (but NOT the Avid disc though!).

Cheers, Phil