cable discs... yes or no?

jax13

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what are peoples thoughts on cable discs? good, bad or indifferent when compared to a V.

I am plotting (and slowly collecting parts) for a 2x9 build and i'm stuck with what to do for stopping the thing at the front end. a hydraulic disc is out as i am going to be using sti's but if i use V's then i need to track down some bosses that fit the slightly too long forks i already have.

common sense says to sell the forks, buy some 80mm travel ones and fit V's but my budget is stupidly thin on this build so I need to take things like this into account.

bottom line, are cable discs worth fitting or would i be better off sticking with V's for my woodland rambles?
 
Dont touch the majority of cheaper cable discs. Which means its probably going to break your budget for them.
 
fair enough. the build was going to be based on m510 deore kit - not exactly top-end but it works well enough for my needs on this build.

once i've got the running gear sorted & scrimped enough away for a wheelset i'll have to go on a fork hunt!
 
Cable discs are as good as V-brakes without the disadvantages but not as good as hydraulic discs. Avoid the cheapo makes but you need not go to the high end. Tektro, Hayes, Shimano, Clarks, Avid etc are all pretty good plus some of the Shimano Deore ones are getting retro, I've had a set for about 10 years which still work pretty well ;)
 
I used cable disc brakes for a while. IMO they combine the worst of both worlds.

You have the inconvenience of having to find specific pads and possibly having to straighten your rotors every now and then. (90s disc brakes went out of true quite easily)
You're also still stuck with cables. They don't break often, but when they do break it's usually at a moment when you need a lot of braking power. For instance during an emergency stop.

My 2 cents : Either use cantis, V-brakes, some second-hand Maguras or a proper hydraulic disc system.
 
jax13":208ho2ap said:
the killer question then.... was there a silver m510 cable disc caliper?

I think i have one. Fecking heavy :shock: If i find it i guess you can have it for postage? It wont have any pads though, and it didnt work very well (generally, not this specific one).
 
I have only tried cable operated discs once before. They were on Saltyman's Jones Spaceframe and were absolutely superb. I real revelation. Sorry I can't remember what they were but I'm sure he will know.
 
Avid BB7s are as good as most hydro brakes. 160mm on the front is capable of sending you over the bars, but modulation is far better than any hydro disc I've tried.
 
you cant go wrong with the deore m510's they have a lot of power and modulation also avid bb5 and bb7's are really good too they have a lot of feel and bucket loads of power and if you used good quality cables you'll have zero problems just stick clear of dirt cheap stuff and there have been a few people with bad expeinces but dont let that put you off fitted hundreds of pairs to older mtbs and hybrids over the years and the deore ones seemed the best for the money

;) :D
 
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