Downgrading my ride, disc to v

rentedmule said:

I run Spykes on my KHS (with Paul levers) because I was tired of dealing with hydraulic fluid leaks. They're strong enough and I like them but there's no way they can be adjusted to resemble the feel of a nice hydraulic disc. There's a relatively long throw to engagement and they don't feel as solid with cable stretch.

On topic - I've been looking for mountable brake studs for my 24" BMX project - thanks!

Click to expand...

Good to know thanks.

When you say long throw (at the lever) to engagement , does this also apply on the caliper side meaning lower chances of the rotor rubbing on the pads? Could you tell me more about which lever model you are using?

coomber said:

4 pages and no pictures of the KM. Come on

Click to expand...

Think he's still in the see no monkey stage...

Less a case of hear/see/speak no evil and more a case of....



So far I've ony counted a single "When properly set up".. but i've missed a number of posts so possibly more.

Put simply, I could never get sufficient braking power. Not enough to lock the back wheel for example.
Okay, not sure what's going on there assuming you followed the set-up instructions. I know that the cable discs are quite sensitive to the position of the actuating arm and amount of cable pull needed before the pads hit the disc so maybe that was it? I use Avid levers with mine BTW, had some Pauls levers on another bike and didn't get on with them at all.

I've never had many issues with the braking power or reliability of V brakes, even cheapo ones with flexy plastic arms stopped well enough, even in wet conditions.

I've had loads of issues with hydraulic discs though, had some Hope C2's that barely had enough power to lock a wheel. Had various Avid's and they would clamp themselves onto the disc if left for a couple of weeks without use. Hydraulic discs were billed as being maintenance free and reliable evolution of cycle braking but, in reality, they can be very temperamental. The best discs I've had are shimano, they just worked and stopped well.

But, I would always have discs over V's as they just look so cool!

From my limited fettling with discs I've found the critical bit is getting the mounting faces absolute square and true to axle...I can see how the modern axle set ups potentially really help disc brake set up accuracy..however on normal quick release axles it's kinda peeing in the wind! Every time the wheels in and out it'll be different .

I remember one of my first issues with discs being an eye opener.....heat transfer to hub making grease migrate out on to discs hmmm....
Discs definitely have they're place on push bikes but for me only when speeds are frequently 30 mph plus...so downhill full suss bikes that can soak up "grab" in squish or fast e bikes.
I find theres a big difference in that initial moment of brake contact between discs and rim brakes I can't get au fait with...way too much power and much too soon...in a high speed emergency stop situation id rather have rim brakes... I'd rather shave enough speed to have a litte bump than getting launched over bars and still hit whatever it is infront of me!

Woz said:

Good to know thanks.

When you say long throw (at the lever) to engagement , does this also apply on the caliper side meaning lower chances of the rotor rubbing on the pads? Could you tell me more about which lever model you are using?

Click to expand...

I'm using Love levers for V-brakes, not sure on the model number. I'd originally planned to use the levers with V's but other project priorities left me with a disc-only wheelset for this bike. The mechanism on the caliper itself has a long throw to move the pads in but gives good pad clearance on both sides. I'm sure I could shorten up the throw by really dialing in the caliper placement but I really wanted to ride it so decided it was good enough

I have an older Karate monkey and it has disc and v mounts. If you really wanted to go that way you could look for an older frame and forks and swap?

CTK said:

I have an older Karate monkey and it has disc and v mounts. If you really wanted to go that way you could look for an older frame and forks and swap?

Click to expand...

I am learning acceptance. I will be having disc brakes. Also rather than trading away a bike I'll undoubtedly just buy another karate monkey in the future, or get a Krampus, if I can sneak it past the better half.

I have 3 surlys now and I feel like 4 is a better number

Also when I unpacked the bike I discovered that the brakes are indeed hydraulic. So taking recommendations for mechanical discs because hydraulic stuff makes me want to drink myself to obscene depths and start a fire in the woods using nothing but the friction of my sore spent hands, returning to a primitive yet better time.