1 disc or 2?

[harosport]

after checking out a few more bikes (kona,jamis, and cannondale) I've decided on the fisher2+disc. My lbs doesn't have the disc model in stock but can convert a reg 2+ to disc. Would it be crazy to not do both front and rear or do you think just swapping out the rear is enough. Also they said they had a carbon disc setup for $100 bucks more (f&b) over the magnesium setup. Worth it? Thanks in advance and for all your suggestions so far!

[Phresh]

I can't comment on the magnesium versus carbon questions but wanted to give you my .02 worth regarding swapping out one or both of the brakes to disc. Obviously, doing both would be best. If you have to chose one over the other I would put the disc on the front as opposed to the back. With weight tranfer going to the front during hard braking that's where you want the most stopping power. That's why bikes with dual discs usually put a larger rotor on the front. If the disc was only in the back I would think you would lock up the rear constantly, decreasing control and stopping performance. Of course, if you go with the front only you will need to practice your brake modulation so you don't throw yourself over the bars during panic stops. Good luck.

[harosport]

thanks phresh thats exactly what I needed to know. as far as the mag/carbon I found out it was the carbon lever model which weighs a little less thats about it.

[SloMoJo]

There have been times I wondered if disc were worth the trouble.

Disc brakes were worth they're weight in gold on Saturday's 20 miler in the rain. Just to have such confidence in braking during extreme wet conditions is great.

Do both and you'll never look back.
Agree with Presh on the front first tho, if you must choose.
Like them Avids.
-SloMo

[Tim]

The conventional wisdom says to do the front first, but I'm not so sure. If you really, really have to brake, and you only are going to have one (assuming sloppy conditions that will render rim brakes ineffective) maybe it should be the rear? I ask that question based on my winter riding experience on snowmobile trails -- my local ride is basically a 2 mile slog uphill followed by a crazy downhill ride. Mostly my (rim) brakes are pretty useless, but you don't want to hit the front brake anyway as your wheel will wash out instantly.

Is the shop gonna swap you in for what it would cost to get the "real" disc version?

Tim

[harosport]

I just told them to go with both. And yes they said it would be identical to a 2+disc except with carbon fiber magplus brakes over the standard mag brakes.