Welcome to our comprehensive guide about converting the bike from rim brakes to disc brakes. Bikes are great and so much fun am I right? They had evolved from the days when you had to use your legs as the brakes to using the rim brakes, and now we have the disc brakes which have also proved to be the best thing that you can have when you are talking about bike brakes.
All sorts of advantages come with this one, and you will find it even easier to enjoy the rides. I can honestly say that all bikes should have these kinds of brakes to make sure that you have safety and maneuverability that is just impeccable.
Today we are going to take a look at three main topics about the disc brakes and why there is a necessity to converting the bike from rim brakes to disc brakes. When we are done, you will know:
- Why you need to change the brakes
- The way that you change them
After that, I think I will have done my job as a crusader for the disc brakes and their awesomeness. This is not an ad gimmick. I am just a biker with an almost religious belief that disc brakes are the messiah we need on the trail.
Here is How Converting Bike from Rim Brakes to Disc Brakes
When you want to convert to the disc brakes from the rim brakes, you will need to make sure that you have everything that you need. You can buy the discs, or you can be all butch and DIY with this and make the damn thing yourself like our forefathers.
Part 1: You will Need These Things
When you start, you have to know what you will need to have, and that will help you have a smoother operation as you will be able to get this right the first time without any silly mistakes. You want this to be a perfect job, not some shoddy craftsmanship.
- Disc Brake Adapter: This is the one that will help you fit the disc brake to a bike that uses rim. You will need to make sure that it is strong so pick something that is steel or alloys of any kind.
- Disc Brake Hub: This is the one that will have the lock system and the rim. You should get one that is Shimano because there is nothing better than that. You need the bike to work so really, don’t skimp on the models and stuff.
- Disc Brake Caliper: You will need to make sure that when you pick this one, you get one that is standard so that you avoid any problems that may come from having one that is too weak or too inflexible regarding fit.
- Welding Gear: You will need to burn on some stuff. If you can, you will also need to get an angle grinder to finish off the job. This means that you have to be very careful with everything. It is going to be some time before you are done.
After you have assembled everything, you will now get down to business and start the hard part.
Part 2: Fitting the Adapter
This is, of course, the thing that you have to do next to make sure that you have installed the adapter and the disc brake very well that the wheel is still moving in the way that it is supposed to. You may not have the engineering skills, but I am sure that you can manage.
You will need to make sure that the brake pads and the disc surface are making the kind of contact that they are supposed to. This will ensure that they do work. You can feel free to make the adjustments that you see fit to make sure that you have a perfect fit for the brake.
Part 3: Burning it On
This is what you get to do when you have fitted everything to look exactly the way that it would, on a bike that has come with those brakes attached. This is the part where you burn it on and make sure that it holds.
It is fun I admit, and you will find it satisfying to do. Just make sure that you do not get them all lopsided because…come on that is embarrassing. Also, you will need to make sure that they hold firmly. This is to ensure that the safety of your teeth and bones comes first.
Why Do You Need To Change from Rim to Disc?
That is an excellent question. I know that I asked it but hey…focus. There are so many reasons that I can think of why you will need to have the disc and not rim brakes. There are some that are just all about nuances and different in bikes from various manufacturers.
So, for the sake of being not boring, I am just going to tell you the stuff that I saw to be obvious and kind of a big deal. You will find out the small stuff when you get on that saddle and ride the bike with disc brakes.
- They Are a Light Touch
This is something that you will appreciate especially when you have to bike long distance and downhill because you don’t need to press the lever as hard. This means that you have a better experience when you ride because you won’t have to struggle as much when you have this kind of brake. It will be a joy to know that you have everything easier.
- So It’s Raining…Big Deal
Rim brakes will hold depending on how fresh they are and how the wheel grips them. This means that when it has rained, you have slickness and smoothness between the tires and the brakes. This means that you can’t stop as effectively as you may want. You will find that it is easier when you have disc brakes because they don’t get stumped by the rain.
- No More Lock-Ups
These usually spell disaster for the rider because what happens is that you can fly off the handle. That is just not so good for the dental work or the bike either. Losing balance this way can happen when you have the rim brakes. That is the reason why you are urged to make sure that you get upgraded. This is a much more delicate kind of brake that keeps your face pretty.
- Maneuverability
What can I say, when you have disc brakes, you also have the handling skill of a pro to boot. This is good news for people who want to take on the harder trails and keep their balance. You will find that you can support bigger wheel size with this one. That ensures you will have traction. I would hate to crawl through the trails just because my brakes are lousy.
- Safety is Like Majorly Top on the List
Biking is dangerous in more ways than one. Not to sound like some bike analyst pundit with too much knowledge for their good but brakes are the biggest part of the bike safety rules. Leave alone the helmets and pads, and you need to have some excellent brakes.
That means you will have to make sure you get some reliable and durable brakes. See, I am a preacher spreading the good news about the power and salvation of disc brakes. As you can see, there is everything to be gained when you have those.
Tips
- Keep an angle grinder nearby to smooth the edges off.
- Do not skimp on the quality of the material that you use to make the disc brake.
- If you do not know how to get this done on your own, get some help.
Warnings
- If you use low-grade components for the brakes, you will be inviting disaster.
- Make sure that the brakes work before you test them on a real trail.
- If you have any doubts, don’t go by feel, ask someone who does.
Qsn: What is it that makes disc brakes so useful in the rainy periods?
Ans: They do not depend on the tire to hold, it is all about the disc being expertly mounted.
Qsn: What components do I use?
Ans: I would recommend that you get Shimano components for the brake system.
Qsn: Are there any disadvantages of having a disc brake system?
Ans: Are you kidding? No. Oh, wait…You will be stopping very effectively, too efficiently.
At the end, If you went through the article you might be found this guide helpful to converting bike from rim brakes to disc brakes. If it helps you a little bit on upgrading bike to disc brakes.
Reference: Bicycle Stack Exchange Quora