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Swapping cable disc calipers for hydraulic - big job?

cloggsy71
cloggsy71 Posts: 2,208 Member
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The Avid BB5 cable operated brakes on my CX bike are awful. I'd really like to upgrade to hydraulic calipers. Is it a difficult/expensive exercise?

My CX bike is running SRAM Apex kit, so I'd be looking at new levers, calipers & brake lines (I'm assuming?)

What are your thoughts?

Replies

  • TheBigYin
    TheBigYin Posts: 5,686 Member
    pretty sure you'd have to step up to rival for the hydraulic levers...

    Fitting it isn't massively difficult (basically, it's just like a cable swap for the gears, and a complete replace for the hydraulic lines - it'll be easier if your bike has a full-outer cable install for the rear brake, as basically the hydraulic like will re-use the mountings) though the bleeding process can be a bit of a pita if you're not used to it - and it'd involve buying a few specialist tools I guess...

    Some serivce techdocs for your perusal here...

    https://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/sram-rival-hrd-shift-brake-control#sm.0000i4x94q2lzf21w9u1fj0vvwt70

  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    edited September 2017
    Good mechanical discs have never done me wrong, but if you want to upgrade, it will take new levers, housings, and calipers. Expensive is a relative term, but I'd assume at least $100USD per brake. The setup/installation is a no brainer. Bleeding the lines can be really easy, or more difficult. My maguras have been great and are a dream to service. My Shimanos were a nightmare, my Hopes somewhere in between.

    I guess the wildcard would be running full housing lines on your frame.
  • cloggsy71
    cloggsy71 Posts: 2,208 Member
    I telephoned my LBS tonight & they reckon to try Avid BB7’s before looking at hydraulic brakes; BB7’s have much better performance than BB5’s apparently? I’ll be looking at the £400+ for upgrading to hydraulic brakes
  • TheBigYin
    TheBigYin Posts: 5,686 Member
    the other alternative would be TRP Hy-Rd's... they're hydraulic brakes, but actuated by a cable - by which I mean they have hydraulic actuated pistons on BOTH sides of the disk like "proper" brakes - not like most cable disks that just have one moving pad, and rely on bending the disk into the static pad...
  • eplanajr
    eplanajr Posts: 4 Member
    edited November 2017
    My Conquest had BB7's and they stopped my fat butt on a dime. Much cheaper than swapping for hydros. Also make sure you are setting them up right.

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