Swapping cable disc calipers for hydraulic - big job?
cloggsy71
Posts: 2,208 Member
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?
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?
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Replies
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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
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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.0 -
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 brakes0
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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...0
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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.0
