I currently have the stock wheelset from my '09 Specialized Rockhopper and know that if I were to upgrade to disc brakes that I'd need to replace the whole wheelset. Do rim brake wheelsets have special rims that you won't find on disc wheelsets or are disc wheelsets capable of being used for rim brakes and disc??
Differences in rims
dimm0k
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I currently have the stock wheelset from my '09 Specialized Rockhopper and know that if I were to upgrade to disc brakes that I'd need to replace the whole wheelset. Do rim brake wheelsets have special rims that you won't find on disc wheelsets or are disc wheelsets capable of being used for rim brakes and disc??
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3,659 Posts
If your bike doesnt already have disc brake wheels you will at the very least need new hubs, which might cost more than a basic set of disc wheels. You will also need to make sure your fork supports disc brakes also, meaning it needs the spot to mount the caliper.
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1,146 Posts
V-brake rims have a braking surface, while disc-specific rims do not. With respect to brakes, you can build/buy 3 different types of wheelsets: disc-only, rim-brake-only, or compatible to both.
It's a good idea...
to go with a disc specific rim if you are using disc brakes. While most rim brake wheels will do fine when used with disc brakes, they aren't specifically designed for them. Disc brake rims are specifically designed (in most cases) for the different stresses that disc brakes produce. Take a close look at rim and disc brake rims and you'll notice the difference in profile and cross section dimensions. And some rim manufacturers consider their warranty void if rim brake models are used with disc brakes. It's not that they will fail if used with disc brakes, it's the chance that they could. Not likely but possible.
With that said, I've used many rim brake wheels with disc brakes and had no problems. And they are a viable option if you intend to use them for a while with rim brakes before you get you discs. Just don't get a disc specific rim and try to use them with rim brakes. As the others have noted, disc specific rims don't have a braking surface.
Good Dirt
to go with a disc specific rim if you are using disc brakes. While most rim brake wheels will do fine when used with disc brakes, they aren't specifically designed for them. Disc brake rims are specifically designed (in most cases) for the different stresses that disc brakes produce. Take a close look at rim and disc brake rims and you'll notice the difference in profile and cross section dimensions. And some rim manufacturers consider their warranty void if rim brake models are used with disc brakes. It's not that they will fail if used with disc brakes, it's the chance that they could. Not likely but possible.
With that said, I've used many rim brake wheels with disc brakes and had no problems. And they are a viable option if you intend to use them for a while with rim brakes before you get you discs. Just don't get a disc specific rim and try to use them with rim brakes. As the others have noted, disc specific rims don't have a braking surface.
Good Dirt
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7,152 Posts
Check to see if your current hubs have a disc brake mounting flange. Some bikes that come with rim brakes have disc ready hubs and you'd just have to swap out the brakes.
Also check to see if your brake levers are integrated into the shifter pods. If they are, you will either be forced to use mechanical disk brakes (because they can be used with the integrated levers) or you'll also need to get shifters that are separate pieces from the brake levers.
It appears that your bike has SRAM shifters and rear derailleur which should have separate brake levers, so you should be good to go here. Also, from looking at the pics of the bike, it doesn't look like the front wheel has a disc ready hub (hard to say just from looking at that pic for certain) and it's laced radially which is not usually done with disc wheels.
Also check to see if your brake levers are integrated into the shifter pods. If they are, you will either be forced to use mechanical disk brakes (because they can be used with the integrated levers) or you'll also need to get shifters that are separate pieces from the brake levers.
It appears that your bike has SRAM shifters and rear derailleur which should have separate brake levers, so you should be good to go here. Also, from looking at the pics of the bike, it doesn't look like the front wheel has a disc ready hub (hard to say just from looking at that pic for certain) and it's laced radially which is not usually done with disc wheels.
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