Questions about upgrading S30 to disc brakes

[castlerobber]

I'm looking to put disc brakes on my S30v2 over the winter. I have SRAM Rival brifters. I'm considering the TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes, would also look at the HY/RD.

This is going to mean replacing my wheels, of course. I talked with someone at the CB Ride Retreat who was using Velocity Aileron wheels on both his (lovely blue) V20 and his S40, per @Robert Holler's recommendation, and I'm interested in those.

Q1: I need post-mount brakes, yes? Any kind of special adapter? I found an old thread where Robert said 140 mm was the size rotor to use, front and rear.

Q2: 28-spoke or 32-spoke wheels (or other), and why? I'm currently using 18/20 Mavic Ksyrium SLS wheels, about 5 years old. I weigh less than 140 lbs, don't ride the S30 on roads with a lot of potholes, and typically run a 28mm tire.

 

[RojoRacing]

Unless you're descending 4000' mountains at 50 mph you'll be fine with 140mm front and rear at your weight, 160 up front if you just want to the feel of the extra power.

Any disc brake road wheel will suit you fine but if you wish to eventually move to tubeless in the future get a tubeless compatible rim with a ID measuremnt of at least 20mm so you can run 28 or larger tires at tubeless friendly lower pressures.

Yes, you need post mount but I can't tell you the exact adapters. I get the brakes and rotor then head over to the local shop to see what fits first hand.

At your weight, any spoke count will work but disc wheels will average more than rim brake because when you can't straight lace spokes you need more of them to make the cross pattern.

 

[Doug Burton]

I recently put HY/RD calipers on my SV2.0. I am using Ultegra brifters and they don't really play well with non-Ultegra brake calipers, and certainly weren't happy with the Avid Road BB5 disc calipers I was using. The HY/RD cable-actuated hydraulics are a revelation. Solid response, but easily modulated. I am using 160mm front/140mm rear discs.

 

[paco1961]

I use 160/160 discs on my S40 but I weigh 195. Love the Sypre mechanicals - no fluids to deal with. I always carry a spare brake cable with me. Have never used it on my own bike but I just like knowing it's there. Sram Force brifters work just fine. On the switch from rim to disc I found maybe a little more grip/power with the discs but the biggest difference is when you get caught in a rain shower. Nice to actually have brakes when it's wet!

As said above, 28 spokes should be plenty.

 

[castlerobber]

Unless you're descending 4000' mountains at 50 mph

No worries, that isn't in the plan. LOL.

Any disc brake road wheel will suit you fine but if you wish to eventually move to tubeless in the future get a tubeless compatible rim with a ID measuremnt of at least 20mm so you can run 28 or larger tires at tubeless friendly lower pressures.

The Ailerons have the 20mm ID and are tubeless-ready. So we're good there.

I am using 160mm front/140mm rear discs.

I may go that route.

Thanks, all!

 

[paco1961]

Ailerons are a bit heavy but rock solid. When you get them check closely. Love doing business w Velocity but they occasionally mismark rims. Tore my hair out once building up a set of A23s only to find out the problem A23 was actually an Aerohead mismarked.

 

[castlerobber]

Finally got the new wheels and brakes. Went with 32-spoke front/28 rear, HY/RD calipers, 160 mm front rotor/140 rear, Conti GP5000 28mm tires. So far, so good.

 

[benphyr]

Wow! That looks a lot better than good, it looks awesome.

 

[Rods]

Your bike is looking great, castlerobber!

 

[cpml123]

Finally got the new wheels and brakes. Went with 32-spoke front/28 rear, HY/RD calipers, 160 mm front rotor/140 rear, Conti GP5000 28mm tires. So far, so good.

View attachment 8806

How is the HY/RD brake? Are you able to lock up the wheels like rim brake?

 

[ChaleJake]

The bike looks sweet. What size chainstay are you using? Your feet seem to be higher than mine. Did you change it out from the original? I don’t have the unsuspended front end so maybe that is the difference? What is your approximate cost for the conversion and do you have a BOM? Sorry for all the questions.

 

[castlerobber]

How is the HY/RD brake? Are you able to lock up the wheels like rim brake?

Haven't tried locking it up yet. It does feel like it has better stopping power, not so mushy on the rear wheel, but not "grabby" either. I'm used to disc brakes from my Q. These are nicer.

The bike looks sweet. What size chainstay are you using? Your feet seem to be higher than mine. Did you change it out from the original? I don’t have the unsuspended front end so maybe that is the difference? What is your approximate cost for the conversion and do you have a BOM? Sorry for all the questions.

Thank you! I'm using the chainstay that came with it, whatever size that is. I'm 5'5", with a 40.5" x-seam, if that helps any.

Got the brakes off Amazon, 2 x $79, including rotor. They work with my existing SRAM brifters. The LBS used new Jagwire cable and housing for both, don't have the specific cost. They didn't mention anything about adapters, so apparently the brakes came with what I needed.

The wheelset was around $860; I caught a "10% off and free shipping" deal before Christmas. Tubeless-ready, appropriate rim tape installed, for when I'm ready to take that next step. I didn't want carbon rims, I'm not a speedy enough rider for those to help any.

 

[ChaleJake]

Thank you! I'm using the chainstay that came with it, whatever size that is. I'm 5'5", with a 40.5" x-seam, if that helps any. [/QUOTE]

They changed it from my model to yours. Mine is flat with no Cruzbike words and seems to be carbon. Yours does seem to be longer.

 

[cpml123]

I'm used to disc brakes from my Q. These are nicer.

What disc brake do you have on your Q? I have TRP Spyre right now. Wondering if the upgrade to HY/RD is big enough of difference.

 

[castlerobber]

What disc brake do you have on your Q?

The Avid BB5 that was stock in 2014. Haven't tried the TRP Spyre.

 

[castlerobber]

They changed it from my model to yours. Mine is flat with no Cruzbike words and seems to be carbon. Yours does seem to be longer.

Mine measures about 18" from the center of the skewer to the end of the flat part, where the ring attaches that goes around the BB shell.

 

[ChaleJake]

Mine measures about 18" from the center of the skewer to the end of the flat part, where the ring attaches that goes around the BB shell.

Mine is about 15” measuring the same way. I am a bit under 5’7” with a 41 inch xseam. Of course, now I am wondering if I would like a longer chainstay? Hmmm

 

[BikeGary]

The bike looks sweet. What size chainstay are you using? Your feet seem to be higher than mine. Did you change it out from the original? I don’t have the unsuspended front end so maybe that is the difference? What is your approximate cost for the conversion and do you have a BOM? Sorry for all the questions.

I have a suspended S30 and I'm 6'1'. The original chainstay is too short. I added a 100cm extension which I got from Cruzbike. I think they have a shorter and a longer one. It does raise your feet higher off the ground into what feels like a more aerodynamic position but I haven't done any trials. With my extension I also have to add links to a standard chain. So now I buy multiples of chains so that I have the same link types to swap in. I think it's 4 116 link chains == 3 chain swaps.
I've also had a two falls where my foot caught the road and was wrenched around. I'm hoping that with my feet higher IF I fall again that I only get scrapes on my deriair and leg instead. But don't ask me to try it out as I don't have a crash suit.
YMVV

 

[ChaleJake]

I have a suspended S30 and I'm 6'1'. The original chainstay is too short. I added a 100cm extension which I got from Cruzbike. I think they have a shorter and a longer one. It does raise your feet higher off the ground into what feels like a more aerodynamic position but I haven't done any trials. With my extension I also have to add links to a standard chain. So now I buy multiples of chains so that I have the same link types to swap in. I think it's 4 116 link chains == 3 chain swaps.
I've also had a two falls where my foot caught the road and was wrenched around. I'm hoping that with my feet higher IF I fall again that I only get scrapes on my deriair and leg instead. But don't ask me to try it out as I don't have a crash suit.
YMVV

thanks for this info. I hadn’t thought about needing a longer chain. Haven’t had any issues with my feet getting wrenched. Hoping you will only get scrapes now.

 

[AlexisBV]

Hello all,

Anyone using SRAM Force hydraulic brakes? I'm not exactly knowledgeable in disc brakes but I'm pretty sure my S30 has IS mounts (51mm if I recall correctly).

I'd like to go the Force eTap route, but I'm having doubts about the compatibility of the brake caliper mounts on the frame. (SRAM's brakes are flat mount only).

Thanks,
Alexis

Edit: of the different variants of S30, mine doesn't have any front suspension. The mounts look like those in castlerobber's picture.

View attachment 8806