Disc brakes and single speeds???

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?

S.

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.
=20
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.
=20
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???
=20
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=20
brake in the rear.

Using a disc brake means you won't be able to use a flip-flop hub, so=20
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,=20
the relationship between the disc and the caliper will change, which is=20
a Bad Thing.

Nobody rides a singlespeed in mountainous enough terrain to actually=20
_need_ a rear disc brake.

There's no problem running a front disc if you prefer, but I'd strongly=20
advise going for a rim brake in back.

Sheldon "Disco Is Dead" Brown
+--------------------------------------------+
| I=92ll 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.com http://sheldonbrown.com

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.com http://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.

S.

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.com http://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...

Bill "gimme gears, baby" S.

On Fri, 29 Apr 2005 18:22:21 GMT, "Bill Sornson"

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

John Dacey wrote:
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.


Like this Vanilla 29'er:
http://www.vanillabicycles.com/bikes...e_c/index.html

Tasty. *Silly*, but tasty.

Jeff

John Dacey wrote:
On Fri, 29 Apr 2005 18:22:21 GMT, "Bill Sornson"

{Missing context involves chain wear affecting SS's with rear disc brakes}

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.)

Dry climate in San Diego helps, no doubt... Bill

On Fri, 29 Apr 2005 12:32:48 -0400, 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

There are some single speed frames which, when used with a disc brake,
restrict the amount of room to move the wheel to adjust chain tension,
and may require removal of the caliper to remove the wheel, depending
on which brake you have. My Azonic has both these problems, but I'd
rather work around them than go back to rim brakes. I could fit two
chainrings, and 2 sprockets on my SS cassette hub to get extra gears
if I wanted them, eg 32x18 and 34x16 would suit my requirements quite
well, and not require any movement in the dropout.

To get over the problems, get a frame with either adjustable dropouts,
where the axle holder and caliper mount move together, or a frame with
an eccentric BB.


Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

"E Pluribus, Unum" - The Single-speeders' Credo
On Sat, 30 Apr 2005 03:52:54 GMT, "Bill Sornson"
wrote:

John Dacey wrote:
On Fri, 29 Apr 2005 18:22:21 GMT, "Bill Sornson"

{Missing context involves chain wear affecting SS's with rear disc brakes}

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"
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.
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