Convert Mountain Bike To Disc Brakes With No Frame/Fork Mounts

I show how to convert an old vintage MTB with no frame/fork disc brake mounts, to disc brakes using adapters. I show various disc brake mounting adapters and how they can be used to install disc brakes. Some of the adapters I show are A2Z DM-UNI, Chaser Tech Bicycle Rear Disc Brake Adapter Kit, and more. I am sure there are other types of adapters available. This type of conversion is pretty complex and will probably require a trial and error approach to see what works and what doesn't. You'll see in this video some of the problems I encountered and had to work to fix. The bike in the video is a Trek 820 that was set up with V-Brakes.
Yes there are rack mounts. No, they would not be strong enough along to hold the disc caliper. Only one fully lined up with the bracket, and the other was half on the edge. They were also offset from each other. That is why I made the extra bracket which only holds the caliper bracket in place while wheel is removed.
Cold setting a bike frame:
• Cold Setting A Bike Fr...
A2Z DM-UNI Disc Brake Adapter:
www.amazon.com...
31.88mm Front Disc Brake Bracket Adapter:
www.amazon.com...
22.88mm Front Disc Brake Bracket Adapter:
www.amazon.com...
Chasertech Disc Brake Adapters:
www.chasertech....
BBR Tuning Billet Aluminium Disc Brake Caliper Bracket:
www.amazon.com...
Brake Boss Plug 8mm:
www.amazon.com...
Brake Boss Plug 10mm:
www.amazon.com...
Brake Boss Covers:
www.amazon.com...
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[@RJTheBikeGuy]

For more bike repair videos hit the subscribe button ► bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

very useful video for people converting their bike to an E-bike where the V brakes are no good or may not fit the rim of the new wheel

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@girlsdrinkfeck While this is possible, using a frame with disc brake mounts is better.

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

@@RJTheBikeGuy yes luckily for me my bike is a " own brand " type with a multi purpose generic frame with all kinds of mounts all over it so the company brand can add or take off whatever specs they need for the price range

[@weekendwarrior5303]

Where can I find cheap replacement rims?

[@orgillmathew]

Great job, I’ve watched this twice now lol but I the only problem I might have is I have to use the axle that’s in the bike now because it’s a Bafang motor. Do you think I would get away with out that fancy needle.

[@TGRacing]

RJ The Bike Guy single-handedly keeping the cable industry going. :-)

[@whazzat8015]

Snippy comment. They need to go away and are best considered a consumable. I still wince at it though and take them down out of reverence, taking too long to toss them.

[@davidcharnes9161]

My rear cables become front cables. Cables last a long time.

[@hemisuperzee1287]

A real bike mechanic can make cable discs work fine, (average Joe's are somewhat clueless) and you have full control of how much lever/cable play you want. And wont rip a line off in the woods.

[@hemisuperzee1287]

@@whazzat8015 Nothing wrong with cable systems, unless one is a mechanical clown. KISS.

[@fatrobdouble]

@@hemisuperzee1287 even the average slightly ham-fisted home mechanic can make mechanical discs work awesome, if you use BB7s and compressionless housing.

[@MP-zf7kg]

RJ raises a really valid point: the application of load. On a newer, steel frame, not likely to be an issue. On an old steel bike, and especially an old aluminum bike, it could be a disaster. Aluminum in particular fatigue-fails instantaneously. I'm pondering doing this conversion, but I'd maybe reinforce those frame areas somehow.

[@BikeItUK]

Nice conversion to disc brakes, good to see the rear brake mount finished off with a rubber cover rather cut off. Good video

[@burtharris6019]

BikeIt UK l

[@louimcgee6146]

tarstarkusz mate just get some sick bailing skillzand youll be fine

[@louimcgee6146]

Phil Weatherley might i ask where you got that from him complimenting rj's attention to using rubber caps?

[@bananasstuff3344]

@@louimcgee6146 he said nice in the original comment idiot

[@Ko_stana_chao]

I converted it from FWD to twin turbo

[@bananasstuff3344]

Ahh a fellow with truly good tastes.

[@user-cb6jw5ky1i]

I just got a sex change

[@user-cb6jw5ky1i]

Wooooo

[@ChatGPT1111]

I converted mine to a unicycle to reduce labor by 50%

[@BillSheley]

What a can of worms. The original V brakes probably work almost as well as discs anyway. But kudos for finding a way to make something work.

[@MrAmorti]

If it's not raining anyway...

[@bananasstuff3344]

@@MrAmorti at least you don't need to be so careful with rim brakes...

[@WarrChan]

Dang. You really committed to getting this to work. Good job. My main reason for looking at this method is because of my heavy ass steel cruiser. It came with the rim bent and the v brakes always touching. I got tired of truing the wheel. But if part of the solution would be to get new wheels, that would probably already work. I never had anything but MTB before so this cruiser is very disappointing.

[@stylze5767]

how to install disc brakes to a frame with no mounts.... switches forks out for one with mounts.....

[@aaroningram8782]

Click bait

[@bananasstuff3344]

Wait did he actually...

[@stylze5767]

workshop yea lol. Still a good informational video just a misleading title

[@merlinthebikewizard4392]

It isn't misleading. "Convert Mountain Bike To Disc Brakes With No Frame/Fork Mounts" If you don't have a fork that will work, you have to find one that will. He basically said that at the end of the video.

[@IQstrategy]

Front Disc is enough for most purposes as that's like 70%+ of breaking. And brother you do not want disc brake that complains. This will bother u every time you ride until you fix'em or commit bikecide/suicide. So, stay w/ a V-brake rear and get a new front fork.

[@craigbunnett7870]

Hey RJ i just watched this video , was great , you were so imformative, I am commercial plumber and have a far amount of knowledge but with your video you added to my knowledge , and I just bought a used bike to ride with my kids , and wanted to convert to disc , so this was so good , again very detailed , I liked how you explained the spacing on the rear , and differences of the steel and aluminum frame spacing of the 130mm to 135mm i feel really comfotable with being able to covert my bike to disc !!! Thank you From Vancouver BC Canada

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Thanks. But I really recommend buying a bike that already has disc brakes. Easier, cheaper, and better.

[@obiwankenobi661]

love this video. i understand half the comments are saying just buy a new frame - those are people who dont like to tinker around and engineer solutions. the other half loves to make things work the way they want them to without buying tailor-made products.. i think as a man you want to make it your own way. i respect that.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I personally recommend buying a bike with disc brakes.

[@obiwankenobi661]

@@RJTheBikeGuy i understand that and its a much more refined solution. but its boring though.

[@olroymtbetc.6117]

Been a sub for awhile now, and thoroughly enjoy your style and content. This vid is no exception. Just finished the same disc brake conversion/upgrade on the same model bike, my 820 is just a little newer(2012). So, same challenges as this project. New Manitou fork solved front brake install. Rear, well, it took some tuning to function properly and safely. Sure wished I had watched this vid first, lol. I went with a steel version of the first one you showed. Seems to be dialed in nicely, so far. Time will tell... Blue thread locker is my friend. Now working on an aluminum framed Gary Fisher Joshua f3, (1999). Same Manitou fork for front. Rear, is a whole different story. Stays are oversized and will not allow for the 180 rotor I bought for this application. Now in the process of determining if a 140mm rotor will fit. If so, I believe a custom, 1 off adapter will be the way to go, in my situation. Or, perhaps one of your featured adapters just might work. More research needed before any more $ spent! Thanks so much for the links to all the various adapters available for this type of project. Or, the V brakes are still an option...???... We will see. The whole video is greatly appreciated. Hope to one day see/meet you on the trail! Keep the rubber side down, except during back flips, lol!

[@pertoor]

Love the vid. Though, I'd still be freaked out by how close that screw is to the disc. I'd have changed it.

[@bvalley2]

Super helpful. Your tutorials have been invaluable as I began my introduction into bicycle self repairs.

[@volche_art9165]

How to make your old bike with disc brakes Step 1.Sell the old bike Step 2.Buy a new bike with disk brakes

[@Wrangzilla]

Exactly. A cheap bike with hydraulic brakes is going to be better than good bike old enough to have rim brakes anyway.

[@hemisuperzee1287]

@@Wrangzilla I disagree. RJ prob would too. Define "better". A real bike mechanic can keep older bikes going forever. Some 90s bike are the toughest hybred/cross bikes there are. Parts are abundant and somewhat standardized. Not everyone races so not everyone needs the latest hyped up parts. Full suspension mnt bikes are the exception though- if you need it, as they wear out fast, even the frames.

[@yendikruof]

Thanks for the in depth detail on project. I learned things that I never thought of.

[@marcdalanni5817]

the old v brake studs can also be used to mount a light or reflector with a little modification.

[@blakenewton2781]

Beam style torque wrench. I prefer those. I also get non clorinated brake clean. Removes the packing grease on the rotors. I also use it to clean parts. Always works for me. Rub the brake pads against each other a few swipes to clean casting flash on the pads

[@T3HR3PP4]

Excellent timing. I've been planning this conversion for the last few months. The hard part is knowing which parts are right for "your" job. Loved the video, thanks.

[@bobsoft]

That rear disc brake adapter is the same one that my downhill bike came with. It was to prevent brake jacking when the rear suspension is active and the brake is on.

[@bananasstuff3344]

Is that on a Kona?

[@deller5924]

Thanks for the vid! After watching it I've learned that another simpler and cheaper option would be to give your old bike away and buy a new one with the brakes you like. Thanks again!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Or sell your old bike and use the money to buy one with disc brakes.

[@prasanna3378]

@@RJTheBikeGuy Is installing disk brakes on a non-disk brake (v brakes safe) actually safe ? Please answer.

[@heavystarch100]

👍🤣🤣🤣

[@heavystarch100]

@@prasanna3378 still safe, just a lot of unnecessary drama.

[@briankiptoo8228]

@@heavystarch100 😂😂sure..and alot of stories😅

[@Bozzy950]

Great video, but a lot of hustle for mechanical disk brakes. I personally would go for a Magure HS 33 or HS 11 v-brake system all day long

[@MrAmorti]

I remember the 33's from many years ago. They always made a little chirp which I thought was cool as a kid but would probably annoy me now

[@Patrick94GSR]

I considered doing this briefly on my 90's KHS MTB frame, but in the end just went with a different frame. It was far cheaper and easier to just get a frame with disc mounts and transfer parts over, than to try to adapt the left seat/chainstays for a disc brake. For awhile I actually ran a front disc brake on a Nashbar steel height-corrected fork, with the rear V-brake. After building up the bike on the other frame, I went back and re-built the KHS bike with mostly spare parts, and went back to V-brakes on it. With KoolStop pads it still has awesome braking performance, and I use it mostly as a gravel/pavement adventure bike.

[@eternaloptimist2840]

Absolutely agree - I bought a reasonable quality aluminium frame on eBay for £5 with a usable headset and broken fork, and a good steel fork for £30. That's as much as a pair of the better quality adapter brackets will cost, but with no concerns about whether the frame will be strong enough, and no need to modify my "classic" rim-brake bike. As for "paying to get the wheels rebuilt", why not do it yourselves, people? If you're competent to be working on brakes you should be able to manage a spoke key.

[@andystone5487]

I was running this set up back in 1998/99. It was to convert my old Litespeed Ti hardtail to run the Hope C2's.... 👍

[@cup_and_cone]

I remember the all the DH and gravity guys trying to convert their rim brake frames to discs with adapters in the 90's. My how times have changed.

[@andrew.triggs]

This is crazy...I was just doing research about this to do to my bike!

[@DOHC1FY]

Is google watching you too

[@Ahmedsaid-sp2sd]

Andrew Triggs Me too😂😂

[@tonyconnors1342]

Not crazy about the back adapter would not like it on my bike but i did learn a lot about disc brakes many thanks RJ.

[@bluehorseshoe7171]

I'm glad RJ took the time and effort to convert an older Trek 820 to disc brakes. For me however, I would just bolt up a front disc brake assembly to a newer style front fork. Then go with a larger front tire for trail riding.

[@YardworkWithJohn]

This is literally the only person on earth that uses a torque gauge to put rotor bolts on!

[@AndyRetroGamer]

This type of modification is most idiotic thing you can do with your bike! This weak, chinese adapters and fork legs/frame, which not designed for that kind of force... could broke in any time and send you in a hospital or even in a grave! Good V-Brake like Shimano Deore or better, works just fine!

[@emausderratsuchende5447]

Yes....correct, my Words!

[@jasrenfro9856]

I bet you wear two helmet, one for your head, and one for your hurt butt. This is clearly not a downhill set up but would be great for commuting purposes.

[@AndyRetroGamer]

You are an idiot and no, i do not wear any helmet at all! Peace! :D

[@ramonetl]

Awesome I ride a Balance AL-Pro that i want to convert. You just gave me a lot of hope to keep it.

[@joepublic7692]

Ahhh such a joy to see that I'm not the only person adapting oldschool frames into a brazenly capable, and overtly enjoyable peddler with which you can't help but feel proud to be seen riding!

[@DaveyC4810]

Im gonna go for the aliexpess version of the A2Z and weld it onto mine!

[@screwb1882]

This isn't making it more capable. Its just making it into a death trap. Just get better calipers and pads instead of risking catastrophic failure with these hack jobs.

[@fatrobdouble]

@@screwb1882 i agree; i love a good kludge or weird retro-mod adaptation, generally speaking, but these janky disc-brake conversions are always under-performing, and often dangerous.

[@seanyounk1]

Thank you for the video. I just ordered the same bracket you used.

[@RandyDarkshade2]

You could upgrade the gears, but surely by the time you spend money on the brake kit, wheels, gear shifters, new cassette and cables, you might as well go buy a new bike.

[@Resantinos]

It is not about spending money and making this cheap. It is about having fun completing the project. ;)

[@WatchmakerErik]

Most bicycles would reach the point where repairs are more costly than a new bike with anything more serious to change than tires.

[@raopmacaludos1715]

you nailed it nicely hard dude...

[@D_2_da_K87]

I've spent a fortune upgrading my bike after a smashing it and myself up pretty bad. What can I say I like the frame. Besides all i need to do in the future is maybe get another frame if this one caps out.

[@joebob3719]

One the one hand, I believe there is a greater value in fixing and recycling stuff you already own over buying new and shiny and trashing the old yet functional. In spirit I can’t begrudge a project like this, however in a practical sense is very negligent to suggest trusting your life to some dodgy brake adapters from eBay. On the front fork no less, where 70-90% of your breaking happens!!! It’s a good thing RJ switched the fork because that’s exactly what he should have done in the first place. If anyone really wants to add discs to an old bike, swap the old fork with a fork with proper mounts. While the rear adapter RJ used looks sturdier, still it’s probably better just to keep the stock rear v brake.

[@carlossioco724]

Good video, i have to be educated again to new kind of bike new parts, you're idea is excellent.Thank You

[@massacredh]

great rear adapter, i have One here. ready for rebuild my Vintage gt , greetings from Chile , nice video =)

[@poplaurentiu4148]

But the GT's specially the rear canti-lever v-brake was quite strong and super stiff & precise why you would want to replace that ? keep that GT as it is and go buy a new cheap SH (second hand ) bike with brake discs.. by the time you will compare them you will see how good the old GT-brake system was.. I miss my stolen GT -team RTS with Magura brakes

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Nice solution for that rear disc brake adapter

[@roadwolf2268]

Just curious, wouldn't it have been easier to just drill two holes in the bracket to mount it to the two fender/rack eyelettes and avoid the other metal plate. I would think it would have made it stronger in the long run

[@josephau4623]

agree. if he end up having to grind the drop out flat. wouldn't the a2z work as also without so many modification.😂

[@elitehacker1416]

He did a good job with what he had to work with but from someone that has been riding XMTB for years, just buy a new frame/the correct part. It's better to save up that extra money and buy the right parts than it is to buy cheap adapters because that's the new parts everyone is running now. Remember you save up now or spend it on the hospital bills later. Let's face it most of us aren't riding our bikes like kids down the sidewalk, we want to go off jumps, go fast, grind and do on and so forth. So eventually a cheap part is going to break. High quality parts break all the time so that should tell you how much faster a rigged or cheap part will break. Adapters are rarely a good idea when it comes to bikes. Unless your just going to ride it 5mph around like a grandpa then buy the right stuff cuz when these things fail, especially things like breaks you get seriously hurt. Let me tell you a quick story when I was first starting off we had a set of first jumps in our neighborhood, a set that had doubles and table tops about 4 ft high and what we use to call the expert section where jumps were as tall as 12 ft in some spots. A really good BMX guy came thru riding around for an hour or so before he broke his chain. He ask some.of is or he could use one of our bikes for one last run and one of my friends said sure go for it not he has everything high quality on his bike, S&M handle bars, WE THE PEOPLE 4 SEASONS FRAME, FBM a front sprocket, primo pro hubs. He has everything good that day but one part it was a Chinese made triple wall rim back rim he order when he first started riding. His real back rim was in the shop getting SUN BIG CITY RIMS PUT ON A PRIMO PRO HUB WITH 14mm axles. But any ways this guy used my friends bike went to the expert section did a couple jumps getting used to my friends bike then trys a tail whip, everything went perfectly until he landed cuz that back rim looked like a taco from Taco Bell. A s the guy actually ended up breaking his collar bone. But my point is triple wall rims are good and extremely strong and can handle almost anything. There are videos of guys doing 360s down 20 sets and the rims are fine. My point is don't suck out on a part because it's cheaper or because they have an adapter so that way you're able to use a certain part. And just because you may not be at the skill level that this guy was does not mean that one day from all the bumps in the roads and everything else you do while you're riding your bike that that part isn't eventually going to break. I even learned the hard way myself and it was on something stupid that nobody thought was going to break. See what I bought my first real good BMX bike I customized that I didn't buy a pre-built bike I bought every part in peace separately. So when I purchased my frame which was the we the people four seasons frame it had slots in the back where the rear axles go they were slotted for 14 mm axles not 3/8 axles. Well I bought the adapters and all they do is screw on over top of the 3/8 axles and they become 14 mm axles so it'll fit on your frame and I decided to put pegs on those axles as well so one day I decided to hit a handrail and when I did the back axle completely snapped off and I fell down a flight of 14 stairs and it was all because we could not see that there was a crack gradually growing on the adapter underneath the pegs so when that crack finally broke it let go at the worst time and I got seriously hurt that day Iraq my nuts on the handrail, slam my head and shoulder into the ground and for a little while I literally thought I broke my wrist. In the store owner himself even said people come in and buy those adapters all the time and use them regularly and has never heard any complaints well my point is it depends on how hard you go on the cheap part it is that you buy. If I would have bought that part and just used it to ride around and cruise or the streets with my friends and maybe do a couple dirt jumps or bunny hops and that kind of stuff I probably would have been okay but those adapters were not designed to have pegs put on them and I did not know that but I found out the hard way. My point is just buy the correct part instead of adapters or trying to cheap out on something because you can't afford it just save up the money and buy the correct part it will save you hospital bills later

[@h25b]

There’s just not enough advantage to disc brakes over rim to warrant this much trouble.

[@derrinbielski8363]

No, RJ just made it sound like a year long build.. I'd like to do this to my bike, some good tips here but long winded. :I

[@brucewmclaughlin9072]

If your rims that you just bought are disc only then this makes sense. Otherwise rim brakes on the back are good enough .

[@boofuls]

But Id argue theres also a safety element here ,rims typically have a wear indicator often the appearance of a tiny hole ,or they have a groove right around the rim (once the groove is no longer visible its time to change the rim )..and if you fail to notice this,the rims could wear so thin the completey fail

[@dennishermey5873]

I totally agree my rim breaks work just fine want more stopping power use a longer shoe

[@mjjohn7715]

Wow great job! This is the type of reality TV I like to watch!

[@colinfruend5537]

Also, awesome information RJ! Kind of makes me want to figure out a swap project for my new (old) GT Palomar. Especially since I watched the stem swap video along with this. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience for free with all of us. Being an automobile mechanic, I know knowledge isn't cheap. Keep the protects coming!

[@garyrosenquist4071]

Awesome job dawg!! Got me a vintage Specialize mtb can't wait to do this to.

[@owenpreece4508]

Hi rj could you do a garage/workshop bike tour

[@cup_and_cone]

Gromitdog1 - God bless Costco

[@jh5325]

Gromitdog1 this is america...

[@gblan]

I woulda just bought some top quality replacement brakes, Paul Components maybe, and been done with it and saved a couple of pounds

[@EPeltzer]

suggestion: convert front to disc. Leave rear alone unless the frame has disc brake mounts. The rear adapters are wanky. Discs much better in front, rear just don't matter as much IMO. A lot of trouble atd expense for little imrovement.

[@jamegumb7298]

Eric Peltzer My thoughts exactly.

[@rickc2222]

I changed my old vintage 90's mtb front brake to a side puller type from the useless v brake - plenty of stopping power and only needed the brake, lever and fresh cable. discs are cool, but that was way too much bother and parts to be worth doing.

[@BEEBEE159]

@Eric I don't think you would want the stronger brake to be in the front. Couldn't that result in a crash, with you flying over the handlebars? It seems to me that if you were only going to convert one brake to disc, it should be the back brake.

[@DieWolf57]

once You ruined the flange of the rear rim till break down then even You would know that a rear disk brake makes sense

[@TheMannyMan05]

I'VE RUN A 2000 TREK 4500 FOR 8 YEARS THAT HAD A V-BRAKE O/E SET-UP, BUT I WENT THE OTHER ROUTE, I TOOK OUT THE O/E SYNC EXCEL 535 FORK, AFTER BRAKE BLOCKS WERE SEEN TWISTING, JUST BEFORE I DID A FAST DOWNHILL RUN, ON IT HIGH ABOVE WINDERMERE. I GOT A S/H ROCK-SHOK JUDY OFF EBAY, FITTED A NEW MAGURA LOUISE HYDRAULIC FRONT BRAKE, AND 203M/M DISC, AND IT HASN'T LEAKED. WITH SCHWALBE MARATHON 2'S ON, IT IS STILL SOLID! FITTED CABLE-DISC TO REAR, WITH A2Z DISC BRAKE ADAPTER, TO REAR DROP-OUT, AND NEITHER BRAKE HAS EVER LET ME DOWN. IN 2010, ADAPTER WAS ABOUT £20. BIKE WOULD SEEM HEAVY, NOW, BUT I CALL THAT "SOLID"!

[@jerryknight6055]

Pretty cool. Looks a little Frakenbike or steam pumpy on the rear end and I doubt you have any weight savings. Question RJ. Where do you store your many bikes? How about a video tour of your stable.

[@calebc1985]

Think I'll be sticking with my v-brakes lol! Question though, do you have a recommendation for budget wheelsets?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Not really. Check ebay and craiglist.

[@ImmaSteamRoller]

if you could find some rhino lites laced to xt hubs, it's cheap and effective

[@jaqueslock2245]

Ive always wanted to know what are the two holes above the rear dropouts

[@maryannecashmore5451]

Thanks for trying but after the first 8 minutes I just couldn't take anymore of the rambling and scurrying about from topic to topic.

[@iainmacleod4007]

I am in the process of converting my old school Reynolds 531ST framed touring cycle to disc brakes, something that most sensible people told me was near impossible. I love a challenge though. Converting the front of the bicycle was easy if expensive and was done two years ago by getting a new set of Reynolds 631 forks manufactured with an ISO disc brake mount. Converting the rear has proved to be much more difficult as my frame dropouts only lend themselves to a bracket mounting externally on the dropout and because the frame is weak at this point I needed something to brace the mounting against the torque to which it will be subject to in fierce braking. The Chasertech bracket is the one I have gone with and the installation process is progressing well with only slight modifications to the bracket required. I am based in Scotland and the only way to get this brilliant bit of kit was to mail order it to my sister in Chicago who posted it on to me. It has not been cheap but the end result is well worth it. The A to Z adapter was no good for me as it only works with certain Aluminium frames with vertical dropouts.

[@HolgerBarske]

Best tutorial ever on this topic, learned a lot. Thanks a million, I am now starting to convert a 30 year old steel bike to Shimano Metrea.

[@chrismad1344]

RJ why no you open you own bicycle shop? ,these industry move a lot of money...with you skills you can easy be on of the best in USA.! Very nice video thank you!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I enjoy what I do now. I really have no interest in opening a bike shop.

[@cmwontner]

I literally thought RJ owned a bike shop, the number of cables and parts he seems to have at his disposal! lol

[@trekkeruss]

You always make very interesting videos, but in my opinion for most people this is poor idea. When people ask me (at the bike co-op) about such conversion, I tell them to get another bike. There are literally thousands of used bikes available with disc brakes, many of which would be better spec'd all-around and cost no more or only a little more than the cost of the conversion.

[@alanthomas2091]

this guy’s hands are as vein-ey as squidward’s head when we gets mad

[@detroitboy65]

Too much fiddling and additional weight to be worth the adaptation. V brakes work well enough to warrant this.

[@shell3edonrf859]

P F life would be horriable with v brake eww

[@eXTreemator]

Depending for what, not for 50km/h

[@ralfwiggam1]

Love the safety socks!

[@samanthacarter569]

Sure glad I watched this video before attempting to convert my older bike to disc brakes. Thank's for the video, I think I'll just save up and get a new bike next year.

[@StuWright]

yea too complex

[@desperadodeluxe2292]

This is what I need to be watching.

[@Ripper7620]

Thank you for putting up all of these helpful tutorials, they're some of the best I've found.

[@Beaverj420]

The cheap black ones are absolute garbage. They bend and twist under minimal pressure. I'll be giving the chaser adapter next. Thanks for the video.

[@gregorymcdaniel2249]

Great video I enjoy watching your videos. I’ve been wanting to try this and I didn’t know what all would be involved with this conversation. I think I could handle tackling this now. Thanks a lot .love the fact that you try to make a bike what you want on a budget instead of spending thousands of dollars just buying what you want. Gives us new to biking folks with mechanical skills info to try getting what we want on a budget

[@markvarda3191]

Enjoyed watching your video for converting brakes. I also have a Trek that I want to convert. What type of rims are you using? Mine has 700cx35. Thanks

[@wtfiswiththosehandles]

Wow, good job. But so not worth it... I mean, you would have to be VERY attached to a frame if you went for $60 adapters instead of a new frame. Not to mention that you need to replace wheels as well, and those will generally be more expensive than a frame. If you want to keep the frame with its vintage look but need to improve braking force, why not just buy Magura hydraulic v-brakes?

[@ImmaSteamRoller]

they aren't historic if they have a hokey disc setup....

[@dazdeluxe7533]

the adaptors are a couple of quid

[@dukesilvergold]

historic, maybe... and it belongs to be hung on the wall though

[@HardCorps88]

DazDeluxe what's a quid?

[@Kyujin666]

@@HardCorps88 a quid means 1 UK Pound :)

[@РулонОбоев-п8г]

22:11 I managed to made an adapter that fits for this 2 nuts. On steel frame and 160mm rotor with BR-M360 it stops me perfectly fine from ~40km/h without bending.

[@Px4164]

Feels like you've added a nice full 1kg of weight

[@raymondsweeney5410]

on his big toe !

[@shade19752000]

Good job there buddy!

[@paul1349]

Enjoy the bike the way it is not worth the trouble to do the upgrade the money you're going to spend it's not worth it and if you do decide you want disc breaks just buy a new bike or new frame

[@forevercomputing]

If I had known my bike had the disc brake option, I would have gone for it. I can install a rear disc brake as the mount is there. I prefer not using my entire rim as a replaceable part.

[@u4ea565]

Great interesting detailed video that covers all the possibilities!

[@JosephHelmstetter]

I love this video. It reminds me of most of my projects I do around the house. You start out with a goal and the scope changes when you really get in to the project. Re-tiling the bathroom turns in to "Well I really should replace this sub-floor before I put the new tile down."

[@FallNorth]

Like me the other day, little bit of lining wallpaper was lifting at the seam beside my shower no doubt due to the steamy air. So I lifted it a little bit more, stuck some paste/glue under, then used a seam roller and it was nice and flat again. Then painted over it with a little of the original paint as I had a decent bit left (I made sure to mix it well) to make it "perfect". Next day I could see this little bit dried a *slightly* different shade which annoyed me (probably others wouldn't notice) .. so ...... .. By time I'd finished I'd got the rollers out and redone the entire wall ... so much for a quick non messy job ;)

[@sandplasma]

This has to be the BEST video on disc brakes I've seen. You explained everything I wanted to know and had doubts on plus you have like every adapter under the sun. This is amazing! Thank you very much! You've gained a new subscriber.

[@-ge7877]

A video i have been waiting for a very long time Great video keep up the good work

[@TownofJezza]

but why??? just use good V-Brakes they're just as efective and don't add that much weight and complexity...

[@denishuber7758]

nobody can make this more dummyproof like you do RJ... very nice explainations about everything that might be a problem both thumbs up !!!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

OMG, I am sure there are many more pitfalls that I never covered. This is a pretty radical conversion.

[@denishuber7758]

despite im not from uk or usa..where english language is not common...i can easy understand everything..and i already had few projects started on my bike thanks to RJ the Bike guy....keep up the good work !!!

[@NonLegitNation2]

great video, but tbh it might be less work to just purchase a bike with disc brakes, you figure after spending $90 on some decent Shimano MT200 brakes, then $70 on the rotors, then at the cheapest $180 on the wheels, plus what ever the mounting hardware costs for the brakes, plus if you have to get a different fork. In the end you could pick up a cheap big box store bike with disc brakes for probably the same price.

[@MP-zf7kg]

TBH, you're spending a sh#tload of money on brands just because they're brands. The area I agree with you on is the front fork, and I'm pondering that right now.

[@rtrev3254]

Video suggestion: convert that bike to a 1x11!

[@THEfromkentucky]

I'm planning to do that with my old 820 this winter.

[@bradcomis1066]

Convert to 1x11, convert to discs, add new wheels, and who knows what else. Might as well just buy a new bike. Probably not much more money once you sell the old bike and then you get ALL the new standards on your new bike.

[@devonteadams7390]

Drop bars too

[@deanbornman77]

make it a duel suspension

[@soihavetoplay]

Thanks as always very complete video, good job

[@eworldtraveler]

Adaptocontrapto is awsome bro !! Don't let the whiney ( I'm an engineer ) types poo on your parade. Bravo !

[@bananasstuff3344]

A snapped frame would kinda looks on his parade, as would medical bills.

[@newbeginnings8566]

Total and absolute waste of time and money.. On an older bike stick with decent V brakes... If you must have disc brakes buy a newer bike...

[@alimantado373]

that bike looks like robocop :)

[@reodds]

Great video! I realize that it has been a while since this was made, but do you have an approximate cost in today's dollars as to the cost to convert to disk brakes?

[@misplaced4now]

Love the effort and detail. And it’s not just about “having disc brakes”, it about the conversion. But RJ, I have to say that a torque wrench only gives you the torque value you set it too, if your holding it by the appropriate handle when it clicks.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I use a beam torque wrench, not a clicker.

[@deanabel9034]

That little red doohickie above the pivot point of the lever can be adjusted for long pull or short, although I have never needed to muck with it.

[@mtobrien1]

gosh, just too much work foe a questionable upgrade... in my humble opinion.

[@carlashley5706]

RJ, HUUH I was jus tryin to set my disc brakes WOW thks.......?

[@VAX1970]

Cheaper to buy a new bike, or just do the front only, the front brake does all the work, keep the 'v' brake on the rear.

[@mayur_old4397]

Replace everything.... Then too it's a good video

[@MrGrey-pq6hp]

You rock! Jesus loves you and God bless! U have a talent and passion that ur great at!

[@rangersmith4652]

Thanks for the detailed video. From watching it, I learned exactly what I needed to know regarding upgrading to disc brakes -- and I won't be doing it.

[@do4511]

lesson: dont try to convert. If ever, buy the proper frame/fork.

[@maxxfurygts]

Great video RJ. Out of curiosity, where did you buy those black blanking bolts for the rear V-brake mounting post braze-ons? Thanks!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00NAL15D2/ref=nosim/youtube25-20 www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BMPZ7K/ref=nosim/youtube25-20 www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000AOA0YM/ref=nosim/youtube25-20

[@kennethpararo2162]

I had no idea they made these kinds of adapters. It's an awful lot of work and probably not something I'd attempt, but it made for a great 50 minuets! Thanks for putting it together - I definitely appreciate and admire your ingenuity.

[@akimbofurry2179]

What? *looks at video* Fuck. he talks so slow, my ADHD normally shuts off after ten minutes of such droning. Dabe that is skill. I did not get hardly distracted... least till the end, where I skipped some of the torking at the very end.

[@gopromountainbike901]

Great power disc break

[@gerardomait5042]

Must be great to do on a road bike. (Cough, video suggestion, cough, cough)

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Probably about the same thing. Except a normal road bike fork probably couldn't handle the stresses of disc braking.

[@gerardomait5042]

RJ The Bike Guy Yeah, I agree on that one.

[@chrispalmer1773]

RJ The Bike Guy what size chaser kit did you use 145 or 170?

[@T3HR3PP4]

I am working on a disc conversion myself and I've talked to the guys at Chaser. They advise that you first need to measure the distance between centre of your rear left dropout to the rear left brake boss. If it's 10 inches or less you need the 145mm kit, it it's greater than 10 inches you use the 170mm kit. Good luck with the conversion.

[@chrispalmer1773]

T3HR3PP4 Thanks for the info!!!

[@alexlintern9779]

Nice video as always RJ !! Does the QR skewer and adapter set-up give a stiff wheel with no flex or brake rub? The brake upgrade does also deserve a fork upgrade perhaps!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Seems solid.

[@MattGoelz]

How to install disc brakes on a old rim brake bike: Buy a new bike with disc brakes on it. New wheels, new brakes, new cables, new front fork. Dude changed out more than half of his bike hardware within the first 10 minutes of the video.

[@JSchrumm]

Nice old bike, I have one much like it.

[@Friedrich-Wilhelm-1980]

i like disk brakes because im 430 pounds and i need the stopping power when im in the woods normal horse shoe and v brakes wear out every 2 weeks to a month so i thank you for this conversation video

[@rony_ftw]

Very nice conversion, bike looks preety damn good and new, what wheels are those? really intrested

[@colinfruend5537]

All the idiots come out with the "buy a better bike because more money means you spent more money and that's bragging rights". The rigid frames are the originators of all the set-ups we have nowadays. So for the older generations wanting to upgrade to the newer tech but keep those original and wicked looking frames, DO IT! Where there's a will there is a way. Go to a car show with that same mind frame and try to tell the guys with the bad@$$ muscle cars that they should've bought a blah blah whatever new car and see how fast they laugh and say but this is a classic and it's one of a kind. Cookie cutter 1.5k+ bikes don't have that story of a conversion from antique to modern, sorry. Besides, it's more practical to spend 2-5k on a... wait for it... DIRT BIKE! They do the same thing and have a motor that does all the work for you. Just a thought.

[@ianrice1778]

You really help people learn so much about bikes so they can fix them themselves n not get ripped off by a bike shop or just not have the cash. I've Learned allot from you also n Im so thankful!

[@HarryLewington]

great video but on the back caliper bracket why didn't you mark the centre of the holes on the drop out bracket and drill and tap new holes in the new adaptor bracket?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

As mentioned multiple times in comments, they were staggered in height, and one of them was half on the edge of the bracket. If you are thinking they would hold the bracket entirely, they are not strong enough. I only used the little bracket to hold it in place when the wheel is removed.