Converting brakes?

Question

Is it possible to convert my v brakes (on the back wheel) to disc?
and if it is how or are there any good sites to explain?

Answer 1

Chances are, your wheels don't have disc mounts. If there's nothing on the hubs that look like you can put bolts into them, then you'll need new wheels first. And you'll need mounts on the fame as well. I'd stick with v brakes personally. Even in a hard rain they still work well if they're adjusted right. I might switch the pads out for some wet weather pads if you're not happy with the stopping power.

Answer 2

This will depend on your frame. If you have the caliper mounting tabs, then you're all set. Look back by your rear axle and above the dropout there might be two flat humps with a hole in each one...it's usually a flat plate welded to the chainstay. That's your mounting tab. Go to a bike shop or look at a closeup pic of a bike or frame online to see what they look like. Most frames these days have the mounting tabs even if the bike doesn't come stock with disc brakes.



The only other thing you run into is cable/hose routing. Sometimes frame manufacturers don't put stuff where they should or use dumb designs, but there are aftermarket solutions to anything you'll run into. So buy the brakes, and hook 'em up!



If your frame doesn't have the mounting tabs, you can still run v-brakes on the rear and a disc on the front.....nothing wrong with that, and you won't notice a performance loss except when it's wet outside.

Answer 3

Um, it is POSSIBLE, but your interest should be placing a disc on the front, not the rear. Your front brake should be doing most of your stopping while the rear is used to "modulate", or slow you down and keep in control.



Anyway, you'll need to make sure that the rear of your frame has disc brake tabs on the non-drive side, that you have proper cable guides (if you have brake tabs you probably have the correct guides), and that your rear hub accepts a disc rotor. You should be able to use your existing brake lever for a mechanical disc.