Can You Use disc brake adapter for non disc frame?

Are you thinking about fitting a disc brake adapter for non disc frame? It is possible to fit a disc brake adapter in a non-disc frame, and there are many ways to do it.

For fitting in a non-disc frame, you require a disc-compatible rear hub or wheel and possibly an adapter to fit the brake caliper to the frame adapter. An experienced rider can also use a V brake.

Moreover, you can also fit a disc brake to keep your bike fit and fine. So let’s check out and go through this article to know more.

What is a Disc Brake?

The disc brake is a part of the disc brake assembly. It is an internal yet essential part. It’s a type of brake that uses the calipers to crush pairs of pads to counter a rotor to devise a conflict.

This activity slows the rotation of a handle either to reduce its wheel speed or to hold it. The most commonly used form of brake is the hydraulically actuated disc brake.

What is Disc Brake Adapter?

A disc frame adapter is a contraption made of two bolts and metal that allows you to mount specifically sized disc rotors on your bike frame. It’s mainly a divider on a frame for disc adapters. The larger the divider, the bigger the motors. But not all discs will need an adapter.

Disc brake adapters are a black hole of crazy standards. Current brake mounting is standardized to fit most bicycle frames. Most of the disc brakes are post-mounted, so you need an adapter to use them.

Even if you have older bikes, the right adaptor discs will help you apply proper brakes, ensuring your bike wheels don’t go flat or wear out since hard brakes can put a lot of stress on the wheels.

Importance of Disc Brake Adapter

A disc brake is an integral part of bikes and cycles. Without a disc adapter, it is not possible to maintain these vehicles. Though there is a lot to discuss disc brake adapters, here, we will talk about their importance:

Installing the Disc Brake Is Easy

Workers don’t need to put much effort while handling disc brakes. The joint points and trails are easy to attach to the plate. Moreover, there’s no cutting and welding while installing disc brakes.

However, we still recommend you take the advice of experts or go through forums to understand installation better. This will save you a lot of cost and time, especially when you have a proper guide.

Less Heat Production Means You Don’t Have to Worry about Overheating

Disc brake adapter for non-disc frames ensures your rim brakes or rear wheel don’t get overheated. This gives you a smooth ride and even keeps your bike components well-performing. Most of the bike disc brake adapters are designed in a way to ensure no future issue arises with overheating.

It Is Effective for Rotation in both Directions of the Disc

Most of the disc frames come with the feature of rotation in both directions of the disc. This gives you the clearance to easily ride your bike without worrying much about the disc rotation and direction.

Fitting Tips for a Disc Brake Adapter for Non Disc Frame

If you have a bike with a V-brake, a cantilever brake, or a bike with a non-disc brake frame, wondering whether you can add a brake adapter to it is natural.

But before fitting a non-disc frame adapter, you should know your bike’s age and model to determine if it’s eligible for the enhancement.

Here are a few tips to make that easier:

Don’t Try with Older Models

If your bike happens to be an older model, it is best not to bother with the addition of a disc brake. Older models cannot handle the stress on the chain and displacing the seat.

Check Your Frame

You need to make sure your frame has mounts for the disc brake. You also must determine whether your frame has mounts or spots for a disc brake caliper to mount on. 

Check Your Wheel set

The next thing you want to look for is your wheelset on the bike. Why do you need a different wheel? So that your wheel can be biocompatible as well. That generally means that your wheels are offset further towards the inside.

There’s room for a disc rotor to bounce up to them. There’s also going to be some way to mount those disc rotors onto wheels. Now it’s going to be like a five-bolt pattern. So you have to look for that if your wheels don’t have the same pattern.

Caution

Brake levers should have disc brakes like V-brakes have different poles to the larger rotor. It’s not worth the money and will waste your time to switch a disc adapter into a non-disc frame.

At some point, it’s better to just buy a new bike because some of it will not change when you upgrade the parts. There will be some modifications, but not everything will change.

What Is Disc Brake Caliper?

The disc brake caliper is another part of the disc brake assembly. Caliper is a part that contains various fixed and moving sections. It’s like an engine with pistons and other moving parts.

Parts of Caliper

 A Caliper Assembly Contains Parts Like An Adapter, Piston, Dust Boot, Etc.

Cylinder Bore

That Part Of The Caliper Where The Piston Relocates. The Size And Number Of The Cylinders Depending On The Size And Number Of Pistons Used. It Is A Link Between The Cylinder And the Piston.

Piston Seal

A Piston Seal Is Also Known As A Piston Ring. It Keeps The Brake Fluid Behind The Brake Pads And Pistons.

Dust Boot

A Dust Boot Is Also Known As A Piston Boot. It Helps To Prevent Dust And Dirt From Entering Inside The Cylinder Bore.

Pins And Bushes

The Caliper Is Attached To The Pins And Bushes. The Drifting Caliper Helps The Caliper Move From Side To Side.

Positioner

A Positioner Holds The Contact Or Connection Between Pins And Bushes. It Also Acts As A Wear Indicator For Brake Pads.

Guide to Best Disc Brake Adapters

There are more than just a few brands of disc brake adapters out there. But brands are not what you should be concerned about. Instead, you need to be concerned about the material that matters, such as:

Lever Blade

The lever blade usually is aluminum, but carbon fibers are also used for top-end brakes. Anything else except the lever blade is called the lever body.

Inside the lever body, you will see the metering cylinder, main piston, and reservoir when you pull to move the main piston. That pushes fluid drawn from the hubs to the caliper.

Caliper

Caliper moves the pistons, moving the pads against the rotors that reservoir the piece. You have to access the fluid because once the pistons migrate out of the caliper and excess fluid fills the gap, the fluids expand and get hot.

Organic Pads

Organic pads are better at observing heat. Metal-tinted hard weldings are perfect for winter because they won’t get hot. Disc adapters are available in sizes 140,160 and 170.

The most common size is 160. For any brake disc, you just need an adapter for your fork frame standard motors, which is affordable, lightweight, and long-lasting.

Reach Adjustment

The disc adapter should check the reach adjustments that should register with a little grab. Screw on the lever so that the lever can be adjusted according to hand size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Words

A disc brake adapter for non disc frame can keep your bike fit and functioning. However, the addition of a disc brake is quite time-consuming and comes at a price.

So, if you think you need to get a disc brake adaptor installed, think about it before installing it.