Disc Brake Question

[Evan]

Well, sort of.

I have a Rocky Mountain Blizzard. It is perfect and dreamy and I love it to bits.

I went riding the other day and my brakes (SRAM 9.0s) got totally mucked up from the mud. I've also got a Rocky Trailhead I set up for throwing around...that has disc brakes and they are perfect (well almost, heck of a lot better than mucked up cantilever brakes.

NOW! My options. Getting a new hardtail is simply out of the question until I can afford to get something totally better.
So..the bike IS steel and I would assume that if I could find a ISO disc brake tab and someone to weld it on, I could be in buisness. My questions, though :
1) Can I?
2) Where can I get it and get it done? (I live in Peabody, MA)

I'd really rather not go front disc only, even though I'm well aware that most of my stopping power comes from up there...I'd rather go balls out.
Thanks guys.

[Quo Fan]

Unless you can have the frame heat treatedafter welding, don't do it. Probably the cost of welding on the tabs, and repainting the frame would be more than a decent new frame. I don't really know, because I've never done it.

Also, if the frame came without disc tabs, then the frame wasn't designed to take the stresses of disc brakes. There was a product a few years ago that allowed you to install disc brakes on a non-disc frame. I don't know how it worked.

[TheHeckler]

For the cost of custom fabricating the disc mounting tabs, welding and refinishing it would probably be better to buy a new fork that can take the disc brake. You could upgrade the front end and run V-brakes in back. I know you say that you want to go balls out and have front and rear discs but you may be better doing an upgrade and then saving for a newer frame.

[hammerhead]

There was a product a few years ago that allowed you to install disc brakes on a non-disc frame. I don't know how it worked.


I have one of these kits on my 90's GT hardtail - cost about $25 at the LBS. Been running discs on it for about a year, with no problems. The kit is a bit heavy, but works fine, only downside is you must remove the skewer to take off the wheel, not a big deal. Ask your LBS.

[C.P.]

Works as advertised (by hammerhead). Also cost is in line with the whole setup. Id say go this way if you MUST have disc in back.
http://www.therapycomponents.com/BRAKETHERAPY.htm

Being that the frame is steel, this is probably something that any good framebuilder can do (ANT, or IF or HOTTUBES). But it's not gonna be less than say 250 for their trouble - basically you have a better chance of finding a new steel hardtail frame with disc tabs for a little more than the cost a frame builder might charge (turnkey paint included) to weld a disc tab on.

[Evan]

Works as advertised (by hammerhead). Also cost is in line with the whole setup. Id say go this way if you MUST have disc in back.
http://www.therapycomponents.com/BRAKETHERAPY.htm

Being that the frame is steel, this is probably something that any good framebuilder can do (ANT, or IF or HOTTUBES). But it's not gonna be less than say 250 for their trouble - basically you have a better chance of finding a new steel hardtail frame with disc tabs for a little more than the cost a frame builder might charge (turnkey paint included) to weld a disc tab on.




Yeah, I've read about that. Back when I worked in a shop, there was a guy that had that on his bike. It's a neat idea, but [loser mode] I'd rather keep my cantilevers than have a gigantic black thing running the length of my pretty white bike [loser mode/]
As for the second part of your answer, that is what I figured and I'll let you guys know what I go with.

Well, only if I actually do it, which I won't. But I mainly wanted to confirm that I could and I did think that being steel, the frame would be cool with it. I'll look into it a little more.

[hammerhead]

Evan, the kit I have is much simpler than the link CP gave. I'll see if there is a name/identifier on it tonight.

It is basically a plate that clamps onto the dropout.

H.

[Evan]

No way! That would be great if you could look into that for me. Very cool.

[C.P.]

Hammerhead, is it that A2Z Frame Adaptor? Have only seen it on ebay, and in the UK. Look like this?

One on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27949&item=7161686 163&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[ArmOnFire]

I have been using that on my Trek for 3 years, no problems.
The frame has disc mounts, but won't work with mechanically actuated brakes. So I went with this, you can kind of see it here:
http://www.nemba.org/yabbse/attachments/trek_ss_2.jpg

Email " Wilson bikes " tom@wilsonbike.com to get yours
it is a A2Z designs DM-UNI.
Tom sent me to www.kalomtb.com, a shop in CA.

My buddy put this (http://www.therapycomponents.com/BRAKETHERAPY.htm) on his old FSR, works fine.

Discs are great, I love my Avid Mech's.

-dan

[Jisch]

I have Avid Mechanical Discs front and rear on my main bike - I love them. While my bike was out for warranty this winter, I rode with a disc in front and cheapo vees in back. I was surprised at how well it worked. I had no issues with stopping power - even in snow slop and ice.

John

[Dino Sore]

I have a Rocky Mountain Blizzard. It is perfect and dreamy and I love it to bits.
<snip>
NOW! My options. Getting a new hardtail is simply out of the question until I can afford to get something totally better.



As someone else pointed out, if welding the tabs on the frame ends up costing a substantial amount, you can buy a new Blizzard frame for $550 disc brake ready. However, they sell out quickly each model year. (I had to find an '02 complete Blizzard and talk the shop into just selling me the frame).

BTW, I don't think you're gonna find a steel hardtail "totally better." For over double the price of a new Blizzard you can get an IF, Vicious, etc., but the only thing I think you're gaining is a slightly lighter frame and maybe custom paint. The Blizzard is a great frame and will make you bigger, faster, smarter and irresistible to chicks.

[Evan]

BTW, I don't think you're gonna find a steel hardtail "totally better." For over double the price of a new Blizzard you can get an IF, Vicious, etc., but the only thing I think you're gaining is a slightly lighter frame and maybe custom paint. The Blizzard is a great frame and will make you bigger, faster, smarter and irresistible to chicks.


Well duh.

That thing that goes on the dropouts is exactly what I've been hoping I can find and if Arm on Fire and/or Hammerhead have had no problems with it, hopefully there is no reason for me to have problems.
It seems like a good concept and I totally just bid on it, so no one else do it. :)
Thanks Guys.

[hammerhead]

No problem,

Mine is in fact the same A2Z model.
Good luck & enjoy.

H.