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Light mech disc brake?

853 Views 13 Replies 5 Participants Last post by shiggy, Dec 20, 2005

pimpbot

Discussion Starter · Dec 18, 2005

Maybe I'm just out of touch, but does anybody make a light mech disc brake that is worth a crud? I've been using Hopes on my trail bike, and wanna maybe get a light simple mech brake for my weight weenie race hardtail. I love the Hopes, but too much $$$ for my budget light bike. I'm using Vs at the moment.

I've used Avid Mechs (what is now the BB7), but they are pretty dang heavy, and am not thrilled about the one that exploded mid-downhill on me.

Heck, maybe I oughta just go find a Hope Mini set used or sumthin'.

Any suggestions?

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shiggy

· #2 · Dec 19, 2005

Of the cable disc brakes on the market only ones I would use are the Avid (BBDB/BB7), the Avid (BBDB/BB7), or the Avid (BBDB/BB7). The lightest of these is the Avid (BBDB/BB7).

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Guyechka

· #3 · Dec 19, 2005

I concur

However, I do wonder about the IRD dual banger. I just don't see anyone talking about them. And I don't see anyone selling bikes with them (there was that Soma rigid bike a few months ago in MBA that used them, and they seemed to like them; nothing more was mentioned).

Still, I would only go with the BB7. I have to wonder what it was you were doing to it to blow it up! Mine seem tank tough (they had better for their weight).

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shiggy

· #4 · Dec 19, 2005

Guyechka said:
...Still, I would only go with the BB7. I have to wonder what it was you were doing to it to blow it up! Mine seem tank tough (they had better for their weight).

I have seen one (v.1 BBDB) where a nut inside the caliper came loose and the arm, shaft and spring popped out. Not enough Loctite or a faulty washer.

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pimpbot

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 19, 2005

Didn't do nuthin!

shiggy said:
I have seen one (v.1 BBDB) where a nut inside the caliper came loose and the arm, shaft and spring popped out. Not enough Loctite or a faulty washer.

Yeah, I guess the 10mm nut came loose and popped off. When I mentioned this here on the brake board, several folks chimed in and said 'yeah, happened to me too!'

I like the avids, but they are heavy as heck, and the explosion issue. I guess it is going on a Manitou fork, so that will knock off some weight from the adaptor.

Heck, I may as well go with the Avid, but I have no real desire to add half a pound to my bike. Maybe I'll just stick with my Vs for now.

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shiggy

· #6 · Dec 19, 2005

pimpbot said:
Yeah, I guess the 10mm nut came loose and popped off. When I mentioned this here on the brake board, several folks chimed in and said 'yeah, happened to me too!'

I like the avids, but they are heavy as heck, and the explosion issue. I guess it is going on a Manitou fork, so that will knock off some weight from the adaptor.

Heck, I may as well go with the Avid, but I have no real desire to add half a pound to my bike. Maybe I'll just stick with my Vs for now.

Of the 40 or more pair (80 calipers) that my riding buddies use/have used only one has "exploded" and that was a version 1 caliper. I have seen no issues with the BB7 type caliper. The bit of extra weight is well worth it for me.

I have seen a couple of v brakes "explode" on the trail, too, if that makes you feel any better.

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Mike T.

· #7 · Dec 19, 2005

shiggy said:
The bit of extra weight is well worth it for me.

Of all the disc brake equipped cyclo-cross bikes I've seen (maybe I haven't seen them all) all of them are fitted with Avid cable disc brakes. Go figure eh? You have to pick those bikes up and run with them! I guess the extra weight of the Avids over traditional cantis doesn't bother the makers or those who buy the bikes. I ride with a fella who has them on his Crack-'n-Fail CX bike.

I also put them on a vet lady racer's mtb that I mechanic. She didn't suddenly stop winning races. She must weigh 100lbs when coated in mud so the Avids are a greater proportion of her "on trail" weight as compared to other brakes.

As much as I like my hydraulics, I loved these Avids when I put them on her bike (at my suggestion). I e-mailed Avid and suggested that they should come out with a BB-Light version for the true xc-light/racing crowd - 140mm rear rotor, Ti or Ergal bolts, no CPS system etcetera. Heck maybe even ceramic BBs instead of the heavy steel ones!

Of course I didn't get a reply from Avid/SRAM. If they ever market such a set, remember you heard it here first folks.

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tmccrohon

· #8 · Dec 19, 2005

Get the Avis BBDB/bb7

Like shiggy and others already said, they are almost bombproof. I have had mine on both my hardtail and full suspension for 4 years now. I race 24 hour, offroad traithlons and adbventure races. I also trail ride with my local club for fun and training. These things will not quit. Change the pads every season, adjust for wear every 50 0r 100 miles and you should be good. They are THAT good.

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pimpbot

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 19, 2005

Hope Mono Mini it is!

Hope i

pimpbot said:
Maybe I'm just out of touch, but does anybody make a light mech disc brake that is worth a crud? I've been using Hopes on my trail bike, and wanna maybe get a light simple mech brake for my weight weenie race hardtail. I love the Hopes, but too much $$$ for my budget light bike. I'm using Vs at the moment.

I've used Avid Mechs (what is now the BB7), but they are pretty dang heavy, and am not thrilled about the one that exploded mid-downhill on me.

Heck, maybe I oughta just go find a Hope Mini set used or sumthin'.

Any suggestions?

Nah, just kidding.

Okay, it still looks like the Avids are the way to go. I've had them before, and they worked pretty well, but I'm not 100% thrilled by them.

I'm still on the fence for doing this. THis is supposed to be my stupid light bike, and this may just kill that.

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shiggy

· #10 · Dec 19, 2005

pimpbot said:
Hope i
Nah, just kidding.

Okay, it still looks like the Avids are the way to go. I've had them before, and they worked pretty well, but I'm not 100% thrilled by them.

I'm still on the fence for doing this. THis is supposed to be my stupid light bike, and this may just kill that.

If it is your stupid light bike do not use brakes at all!

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Guyechka

· #11 · Dec 19, 2005

taking people literally

shiggy said:
If it is your stupid light bike do not use brakes at all!

That's sounds like something I would post!

I bought my BB7s to go on my hardtail. Then I switched them over to my FS, just so I wouldn't have to cough up any more dough. It was only after building up a bike that was capable of going faster (and weighing a lot more) than I was used to that I found the BB7s weakness. They just don't modulate well enough. On moderate terrain they are superb. But trying to stop a 36 lbs bike on a long and technical downhill makes my hand hurt. Maybe an 8 inch rotor would help, and maybe it would make my bike weigh 37 lbs. That's why I'm finally going to go for the hydros and put the BB7s back on the bike they were originally intended for.

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shiggy

· #12 · Dec 20, 2005

Guyechka said:
That's sounds like something I would post!

I bought my BB7s to go on my hardtail. Then I switched them over to my FS, just so I wouldn't have to cough up any more dough. It was only after building up a bike that was capable of going faster (and weighing a lot more) than I was used to that I found the BB7s weakness. They just don't modulate well enough. On moderate terrain they are superb. But trying to stop a 36 lbs bike on a long and technical downhill makes my hand hurt. Maybe an 8 inch rotor would help, and maybe it would make my bike weigh 37 lbs. That's why I'm finally going to go for the hydros and put the BB7s back on the bike they were originally intended for.

I did restrain from suggesting running fixed gear - no rear brake required.

The BB7s with big rotors work great with heavy bikes. I am using the Road caliper w/ 203mm frt, 185mm rear Galfer (or Avid) rotors and Ultegra levers on my 40-45# Coiler Deluxe. Plenty of power and modulation for the lift-assist days or the long mountain trail descents.

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pimpbot

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 20, 2005

I have brakes on my fixie...

shiggy said:
I did restrain from suggesting running fixed gear - no rear brake required.

The BB7s with big rotors work great with heavy bikes. I am using the Road caliper w/ 203mm frt, 185mm rear Galfer (or Avid) rotors and Ultegra levers on my 40-45# Coiler Deluxe. Plenty of power and modulation for the lift-assist days or the long mountain trail descents.

...but they suck so bad they almost don't count.

I'm in the learning phase of the fixie thing, so off they go when I get some confidnece.

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shiggy

· #14 · Dec 20, 2005

pimpbot said:
...but they suck so bad they almost don't count.

I'm in the learning phase of the fixie thing, so off they go when I get some confidnece.

Keep a front brake. It can still be needed.

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