Best Disc brakes for Cyclocross

[Erik_A]

Guys, what are the best disc brakes that are compatible with standard Campy Ergo brifters?

I have heard good things about Avid BB-7 Road disc brakes: BB7 Road (http://www.sram.com/avid/products/avid-bb7-road#/path/term-id/289)

or wait for the new Shimano CX75 disc brakes: http://www.cxmagazine.com/nahbs-2012-shimano-unveils-cx75-cyclocross-mechanical-disc-brake-cyclocross-gearing-wheels

I finally found an XL Lemond Poprad frame and it happens to be disc only, so I plan to embrace it and build a not too expensive "B" pit bike that will double as a off-season road training bike.

[4Rings6Stars]

I don't know anything about the Shimano brakes, but I use BB7's on my cross bike with Campy 10 Ergos. They work very well, but squeak quite a bit when wet....entirely possible it's something I'm doing wrong though.

[gdw]

Go for the BB7's. Avid got it right from the beginning and the other guys are still playing catchup.

[xjoex]

I have been riding BB7s for years on my CX bike. They are awesome.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P1fKx4Tv6wU/UA7AWDSN2bI/AAAAAAAAF94/L2eQJU_KY68/s912/530213_3824572406392_898381014_n.jpg

-Joe

[rab]

I have been riding BB7s for years on my CX bike. They are awesome.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P1fKx4Tv6wU/UA7AWDSN2bI/AAAAAAAAF94/L2eQJU_KY68/s912/530213_3824572406392_898381014_n.jpg

-Joe

Nice! Were the disc mounts a customized feature?

(Sorry - I have no experience with disc brakes on a cx bike so can't offer anything of value to the OP)

[Cat3roadracer]

I have BB7's on my SS cross bike as well. The first two races last year were mud baths. I had to completely dissamble the housing to clean the junk out to make them work at all. This is not a fault of the brake, I just did not know this would need to be done at all, but I guess it is to be expected in such conditions.

+1 on the squeal, but again probably user setup error. I do like the operation of the brakes but will jump at hydro as soon as they come out.

[Ramjm_2000]

I've run BB7s without issue on Campy Brifters for over 2 years. It takes a little bit of time for the pads and rotors to really get bedded in but after they do, its all good.

[redir]

IDK if there is a difference on the BB7's for MTB or road bikes but they worked great on my MTB. Good stopping power, easy to maintain and take a beating.

[aaronv]

IDK if there is a difference on the BB7's for MTB or road bikes but they worked great on my MTB. Good stopping power, easy to maintain and take a beating.

The difference is in cable pull. The road specific ones will work with your road levers.

[zap]

Based on my testing, the current the top package.......Avid bb7 calipers, ebc gold pads and shimano ice disc.

[xjoex]

Nice! Were the disc mounts a customized feature?

(Sorry - I have no experience with disc brakes on a cx bike so can't offer anything of value to the OP)

Seven does it as an option, but the wheels were custom XTR laced to open pros with double butted spokes and alloy nips. I ride a lot of single track, heck I ride a lot of everything on that bike. I trued the rear wheel once.

As for the other comment about housing, find some sealed or semi sealed housing and you'll love it. I use Avid Flak Jacket and have been very happy with it.

-Joe

[cardinal]

In a few months there will be some good hydro options, but in the mean time the BB7 is the best option. The Shimano brake will be awesome, but won't be available until most cross seasons are in full swing this fall. The drawback to cable disc for cross, is the cable friction and the conditions these units will see. Especially on rear brakes, the long housing run coupled with weak return springs and brake housing wrapped and bent under bar tape means they work great with clean cables in the stand, but not so good after 7 laps of mud.

[Erik_A]

Thanks - I will check it out: http://www.hopetech.com/page.aspx?itemid=spg343&langID=470

What is the best hydraulic disc brake (MTB) that I could convert with the Hope V-Twin? I have a pair of old Hayes hydros in the parts bin.

They are not mechanical, but I just got the Hope V-Twin brake that converts a normal mechanical brake lever to a hydraulic disk brake. ...First 200 miles of impression - pretty darn good! I didn't care for all the play in the mechanical brakes... Including the Avid bb7