I'm decided to upgrade my brakes to avid mechanicals.
My bike is a Trek 3700, I know it's not the greatest by any stretch of the imagination, but I wanted a beginner bike that I can buid some skills and get introduced to the sport before spending lots of $$ for a really nice bike. http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/3700.jsp
Once I get my 'really nice' bike I'll probably move the avid's and any other upgrades over to that bike eventually.
Now the question . . . what do I need to know about compatibility/fitment? Do the brakes work on any frame? Do they work on my frame?
Also, how hard is the install? I'll most likely attempt it myself at first and if I can't I'll take it to a shop as a last resort.
The front fork and non-drive-side seatstay will need mounts for the brake calipers, and the wheel hubs will need to have mounting holes to hold the disc rotor.
Mechanical disc brakes typically use the same levers as V-brakes, and shouldn't be all that difficult to install (compared to hydraulic units)
I keep looking around at jensonusa.com, pricepoint.com and supergo.com but can't find mounts for the calipers. Since my bike is an entry level bike I doubt it'll have wheel hubs with mountain holes for the rotor.
Originally posted by LBguy I keep looking around at jensonusa.com, pricepoint.com and supergo.com but can't find mounts for the calipers. Since my bike is an entry level bike I doubt it'll have wheel hubs with mountain holes for the rotor.
Will these hubs fit my rims or am I gonna have to buy new rims too?
The XT hubs are just fine. I've put many a mile and lots of abuse into several different sets without too much of a problem. Any suitable mtb rim will work with your disks (disc "specific" or not). As long as your frame/fork have the tabs and the new bike you eventually buy has the tabs (which most frames these days do and all decent forks as well) you should be golden. Sometimes you have to play games with the adapters (depending), but any LBS worth their salt can easily help out and make the switch easy, easy.
The Avid brakes are extra easy to set-up and install. Like mentioned above you don't even need new levers if your have "V" brakes now, nice. The performance is good as well. Have fun and good luck. Keep the rubber side down.
