Is it possible to add rim or disk brakes to an old Felt bike? I love the look of them but not a fan of having only coaster brakes
by AncientAgrippa
Is it possible to add rim or disk brakes to an old Felt bike? I love the look of them but not a fan of having only coaster brakes
by AncientAgrippa
6 Comments
I bet you could find a replacement fork that’s got mounts for a disc caliper to match your front wheel’s size. You’d need a new front wheel, disc caliper, rotor, lever etc. what size wheel?
Not easily. If you like this bike, I would encourage you to ride it like a coaster brake bike, which is to say with coaster-brake levels of aggression
On the frame it isn’t possible, unless you send it to someone to weld bosses for rim brakes or for disc brakes. On the fork, you could replace it with a fork with bosses. That’s much easier than the frame, and a front brake on the front and a coaster on the rear is a reasonably secure setup. There are plenty of forks available for 26 inch wheels with adequate bosses (even with both). You can even replace your current fork for a low end urban fork like a Suntour XCM/XCT and have a nice front end and brakes at the same time.
Edit: welding bosses for disc brakes is a really bad idea, on old frames usually there wasn’t enough strength to withstand the forces of a disc brake.
Honestly, with a cruiser like that I can’t really think of situation other than attempting to recreate the glory days of the repack dudes, that would require the stopping power of disc brakes. It’s a rad bike. Love it for what it is.
I wonder if it may be possible to find a caliper brake that fits on the fork.
[https://cyclingguru.in/types-of-bicycle-brakes/#1_Rim_Brakes_How_do_rim_brakes_work_in_bicycles](https://cyclingguru.in/types-of-bicycle-brakes/#1_Rim_Brakes_How_do_rim_brakes_work_in_bicycles)
Embrace that beauty and join us on r/xBiking as is.
People scramble to recreate those.
Also disc brake would be doable for any frame builder around you but wouldn’t be worth it if you just cruise around