Scott wrote:> I'm not experienced w/ disc brakes, so I've got a question that I can't> answer regarding using disc brakes on a single speed mountain bike.>
I'd think, from looking at pictures, that it would be difficult (if not> impossible) to slide a wheel straight out the back. It looks as if the> disc itself would hit the contact the caliper mount.>
Also, how finicky is a disc brake setup, as far as getting the rotor> centered within the calipers? I'd assume that it's pretty important to> have it located in just the right spot, which would negate the chain> tension adjustability afforded by track-style dropouts???>
Am I missing something, or have some manufacturers created bikes that> have rear wheels which can only be removed after having removed the> rear disc caliper setup?
I strongly advise against setting up a singlespeed bike with a disc brake in the rear.
Using a disc brake means you won't be able to use a flip-flop hub, so you'll be stuck with only a single gear option.
Also, as the chain wears and you move the wheel back in the axle slots, the relationship between the disc and the caliper will change, which is a Bad Thing.
Nobody rides a singlespeed in mountainous enough terrain to actually _need_ a rear disc brake.
There's no problem running a front disc if you prefer, but I'd strongly advise going for a rim brake in back.
Sheldon "Disco Is Dead" Brown +--------------------------------------------+ | I’ll be performing in the Summer Revels | | June 25 & 26, Museum Wharf, Boston | | http://revels.org | +--------------------------------------------+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041 http://harriscyclery.com Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide http://captainbike.comhttp://sheldonbrown.com
Scott wrote:> Sheldon Brown wrote:>> Scott wrote:>>> I'm not experienced w/ disc brakes, so I've got a question that I>>> can't answer regarding using disc brakes on a single speed mountain>>> bike.>>>
I'd think, from looking at pictures, that it would be difficult (if>>> not impossible) to slide a wheel straight out the back. It looks>>> as if the disc itself would hit the contact the caliper mount.>>>
Also, how finicky is a disc brake setup, as far as getting the rotor>>> centered within the calipers? I'd assume that it's pretty>>> important to have it located in just the right spot, which would>>> negate the chain tension adjustability afforded by track-style>>> dropouts???>>>
Am I missing something, or have some manufacturers created bikes>>> that have rear wheels which can only be removed after having>>> removed the rear disc caliper setup?>>
I strongly advise against setting up a singlespeed bike with a disc>> brake in the rear.>>
Using a disc brake means you won't be able to use a flip-flop hub, so>
you'll be stuck with only a single gear option.>>
Also, as the chain wears and you move the wheel back in the axle>> slots, the relationship between the disc and the caliper will>> change, which is a Bad Thing.>>
Nobody rides a singlespeed in mountainous enough terrain to actually>> _need_ a rear disc brake.>>
There's no problem running a front disc if you prefer, but I'd>> strongly advise going for a rim brake in back.>>
Sheldon "Disco Is Dead" Brown>> +--------------------------------------------+>>> I'll be performing in the Summer Revels |>>> June 25 & 26, Museum Wharf, Boston |>>> http://revels.org |>> +--------------------------------------------+>> Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts>> Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041>> http://harriscyclery.com>> Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide>> http://captainbike.comhttp://sheldonbrown.com>
I hadn't even thought about using a flip/flop hub, so THAT shortcoming> hadn't even entered my mind.>
I had a hunch that the positioning of the wheel relative to the> calipers might be a problem. That's much more of a deal-breaker for> me than not using a flip/flop hub.>
Seems that most of the current offerings of single speed complete> bikes come with front/rear discs. I, too, don't think I need a rear> disc. But, that seems to be how they're being spec'd at the moment.>
Thanks for your input.
FWIW, every single-speeding hammerhead I know* has disc brakes F & R; never heard any of 'em mention any chain-wear-related problems or adjustments.
* Including the winning RIGID SS team at last weekend's 24 Hours of Temecula -- a VERY tough course for me on my fullied & grannied mtb. Granted, they were the ONLY team in the category, but still...
Seems that most of the current offerings of single speed complete>> bikes come with front/rear discs. I, too, don't think I need a rear>> disc. But, that seems to be how they're being spec'd at the moment.>>
Thanks for your input.>
FWIW, every single-speeding hammerhead I know* has disc brakes F & R; never>heard any of 'em mention any chain-wear-related problems or adjustments.
Such bikes will typically be fitted with an eccentric bottom bracket to allow chain tension adjustments without compromising brake rotor positioning.
------------------------------- John Dacey Business Cycles, Miami, Florida Since 1983 Comprehensive catalogue of track equipment: online since 1996. http://www.businesscycles.com
FWIW, every single-speeding hammerhead I know* has disc brakes F &>> R; never heard any of 'em mention any chain-wear-related problems or>> adjustments.
Such bikes will typically be fitted with an eccentric bottom bracket> to allow chain tension adjustments without compromising brake rotor> positioning.
Nope, they all just have simple horizontal drop-outs. (Although I'm aware of the eccentric bb thing, too -- I think one guy I know has it.)
FWIW, every single-speeding hammerhead I know* has disc brakes F &>>> R; never heard any of 'em mention any chain-wear-related problems or>>> adjustments.>
Such bikes will typically be fitted with an eccentric bottom bracket>> to allow chain tension adjustments without compromising brake rotor>> positioning.>
Nope, they all just have simple horizontal drop-outs.
I am reminded of the Mencken quote that often gets into the rotation in Sheldon's signature lines: "For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong". Track-type forkends with disc brakes is a a superbe example.
------------------------------- John Dacey Business Cycles, Miami, Florida Since 1983 Comprehensive catalogue of track equipment: online since 1996. http://www.businesscycles.com
On 29 Apr 2005 06:13:59 -0700, "Scott" <hendricks_scott@hotmail.com> wrote:
I'm not experienced w/ disc brakes, so I've got a question that I can't>answer regarding using disc brakes on a single speed mountain bike.
You said "single speed mountain bike". Except for a few really hard-retro grouches, that's almost an oxymoron in itself.
I'd think, from looking at pictures, that it would be difficult (if not>impossible) to slide a wheel straight out the back. It looks as if the>disc itself would hit the contact the caliper mount.
All of the disc setups I've seen would be no problem at all in this area. The wheel would slip out and in with ease. The bigger questions would be the one you raise below, and "why bother?" The rear wheel is where the least braking effectiveness is needed, so putting out the extra bucks for a disc in that area is widely regarded as a styling exercise except in certain very specific applications.
Also, how finicky is a disc brake setup, as far as getting the rotor>centered within the calipers? I'd assume that it's pretty important to>have it located in just the right spot, which would negate the chain>tension adjustability afforded by track-style dropouts???
Well, you've got an issue there, but it may be possible to ignore it. Current brake caliper mounts don't permit fore/aft mounting point shift, so any significant variance from the normal wheel location will have the pads overhanging the braking surface of the rotor...which isn't a problem in itself, but does reduce the amount of friction material that's being used to do the job.
Am I missing something, or have some manufacturers created bikes that>have rear wheels which can only be removed after having removed the>rear disc caliper setup?
Not as far as I have seen. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.
