Anyone know anything about disc brakes?

Maybe someone can help me before my head explodes. I have a bike with rigid forks with an IS mount and I'm running a Hope M4 caliper with a 203mm disc. All is well. Except I got a good deal on a bouncy fork and thought I'd see what all the fuss is about, but it turns out that the fork (RS Tora) has post mounts.

It seems that I'm in a tiny minority that have this problem whereas if I had it the other way round, I'd have adaptors up the ying yang to solve my issues.

The only thing I can find that seem to offer hope (pardon the pun) is this: http://www.activesport.co.uk/shop/article_569/Hope-Mount-Adaptor-Front-IS-to-Post-%2B20mm.html?shop_param=cid%3D1019%26aid%3D569%26

But I'm confused by the +20mm part. If the caliper mounts to a standard IS fork and takes a 203mm disc, would this adaptor move it out further so that it would want a 223mm disc? If so, why do they not make a regular adaptor that doesn't change the disc sizing?

I did come across this, http://www.discobrakes.com/?s=0&t=4&c=56&p=190, which seems to be what I need, but I'm in denial because of the fact it's almost 5 times more expensive than every other adaptor they have!

you can easily get an adapter. either from hope or another manufacturer's will fit (i think? i'm using formula and hayes adaptors on my shimano's)
call hope on monday (they don't answer emails but are helpful over the phone) they will tell you what I.S to post mount adaptor you need.

have a look on chainreaction as you may find something there.
the +20 thing is from 160-180 i think some of my formula adaptors are 160rear and +20 front so they work front or rear but obviously going up a disk size to 180 if used on the front.

it is confusing. my 09 revs had a really odd I.S. mount that stuck out a long way and put the brake a lot further down than you would expect, even the local LBS were stumped for a while.

have a look on chainreaction as you may find something there.
the +20 thing is from 160-180 i think some of my formula adaptors are 160rear and +20 front so they work front or rear but obviously going up a disk size to 180 if used on the front.

I'll second that about the 20 mm difference thing.

just had a look on CRC, loads of adapters all seem around a tenner, one of them must fit

I've gone through every one that CRC sell and there are 3 that are for IS calipers to post forks. One is that Hope one with the +20mm thing and the two others are Shimano ones that specify disc size (160 & 173 IIRC).

I have found this place though: http://www.noahsark.co.uk/hope-disc-brake-adaptors-p-2091.html

They let you enter your exact requirements and they pick the one for you...good enough for me. Fingers crossed.

I keep wondering (everytime I see one of your posts) if your username refers to your location.
Are you in the North East by any chance?

ok so you have a hope m4. is it a mono m4 or a m4. mono is black and m4 is silver. basically hope calipers come in different types all of which have a number. if you have a 203mm disc with no +20mm adapter then you will be able to find a post mount adapter but will need a 223mm disc aswell. if you have a +20mm adapter fitted (caliper 5 +adapter) then that means that you should be able to remove the 20mm adapter and swop it for a post mount adapter and your in business.
hope that makes sense.

if you have a silver caliper you can split it and and change the mount side. used to be about 20 english pounds.

Yep, South Shields. You local, Fruitbat or have local friends/family?

Thanks for the info, that clears it up. I have the silver caliper with no adaptor and a 203mm disc. I guess that means I'm stuck as far as a cheap or easy option goes...I'm not sure I want to stick with the suspension forks so wanted to be able to switch back and forth for a while, but splitting the caliper is going to be a pain.

I've already gone through and ordered from that Noah's site too. Probably best I give them a call in the morning and see what they're planning on sending. From the sounds of it I'll have to cancel and call my nearest Hope dealer. I wonder how much a local machine shop would charge to machine something from billet?

quite a bit to be honest. call hope. 01282851200. they will tell you straight off. by the way its 9 years or so since i last needed that number but i can remember it without checking. how fuckin sad is that.

Anything know anything about road bike disc brakes?

I've heard they're awesome/shit.

Fight!

Yeah I heard that too before I got them.. Now I know the answer. What amazes me is the vehemence of the arguments others make. Invariably a few questions soon reveals they have never ridden them or if they have they just went around the block.

Those of us that know what the answer wouldn't want to spoil the sport for the rest of you.

I don't ride them.. yet. The more noise made about them though the more I'm curious to try them out (on the road this is, I'd have no qualms about using them off-road).

Two things worry me - the servicing (I know my rim brakes) and the fact that I'll look like every nodder who's ever jumped onto a Halfords special.

... and what's wrong with a Halfraud's Special?

When I get my finances in order will be upgrading to HY:RD

go to you tube get how to adjust / tune your disc brakes
adjust
it's so easy and once adjusted correctly they are flipping marvelous

you can't beat disc's for all round all weather quality braking

... and what's wrong with a Halfraud's Special?

When I get my finances in order will be upgrading to HY:RD

Actually that doesn't look too bad, save for the tyres, cranks, pedals, mudguards, groupset...

jokes :)

What's a HY:RD?

go to you tube get how to adjust / tune your disc brakes
adjust
it's so easy and once adjusted correctly they are flipping marvelous

you can't beat disc's for all round all weather quality braking

How long between pad changes for the average punter? How much do pads cost these days and do the pads vary much in quality like rim pads?

12-20 quid a pair get your avid or shimano originals and they should be fine
as for distance my jump bike has gone through rears in about 1.5 years
my mtb used less and braking less 3 years or so now

avid bb5 and 7 are really good disc brakes
would recommend

HY:RD

Like the failed Hayes idea back in the day.

Badman ain't meant to be pretty, serves it's purpose though.

I really hate the sound of my rims being worn away in the Winter/shit weather. If only for this reason, discs win every time.

Hydraulic or ( properly set up ) mechanical. Either is good.

The hope hydraulics on my commuto x have worked perfectly and it gets used most days. The pads are now wearing out, but given that it has done at least 100 miles a week in about 16 months on a heavily laden bike I think that is reasonable rate of wear.

My BB7s are decent, set up with a travel agent at the front. About quivalent to rim brakes. Took a bit of setting up but haven't had to do anything on them for about 1500-2000 miles now.

Want the HY:RD as they should give even more power, and are an easy swap out.

HY:RD
Like the failed Hayes idea back in the day.
Badman ain't meant to be pretty, serves it's purpose though.

They look quite cool and mean peeps like me wouldn't have to ditch all of my existing groupset if I upgraded the Kinesis to a disc frame.

As for useful > pretty - you should see my bike fleet.

avoid hydraulics unless you are downhill mtb'ing
cable actuated are plenty good

bleeding hydraulic's are a stage further than i wish to go

Bleeding mineral oils brakes isn't so bad ( eg shimano, magura )

Dot fluid is nasty stuff.