Can I convert my rim-brake bike to hydraulic disc brakes?
By Crankworthy · Published · Updated
Only if your frame and fork already have disc brake mounts, and your hubs accept rotors. If the frame has rim-brake bosses only, there is nowhere to bolt a caliper and no reliable way to add one.
Where on your bikeBrake mounts, by the rear dropout and on the fork
Why
A disc caliper bolts to mounts built into the frame near the rear dropout and onto the fork leg. Those mounts carry the braking load, so they are designed into the frame from the start.
The hubs have to take rotors too. Rim-brake hubs usually have no rotor mount, so a conversion often means new wheels as well.
If your frame and fork do have disc mounts — some bikes were sold with rim brakes on disc-ready frames — the conversion is straightforward. On a rim-brake road frame without mounts, the practical upgrade is better rim-brake calipers and pads.
How to check for disc mounts
- Rear
- Look for two threaded tabs or a flat mounting surface on the frame near the rear dropout.
- Front
- Look for matching tabs on the lower left leg of the fork.
Skip
- Don’t buy: a disc brake set for a frame without disc tabs
- Instead: better rim-brake pads or calipers.
- Don’t buy: disc wheels before checking frame and fork
- Instead: look for tabs on both first — the wheels are the easy half.
Bikes this applies to
From our research, these bikes are listed by their maker with rim brakes. Check the frame and fork for disc tabs before planning a conversion.
- 2024 Cannondale CAAD Optimo 3 — rim brakes maker’s spec page
- 2024 Cannondale Quick 6 — rim brakes maker’s spec page
- 2024 Electra Cruiser 7D Step Thru — rim brakes maker’s spec page
- 2024 Electra Townie 7D Step Thru — rim brakes maker’s spec page
- 2024 Giant Escape 3 — rim brakes maker’s spec page
- 2024 Mongoose Title 24 — rim brakes maker’s spec page
- 2023 Electra Townie 7D Step-Thru — rim brakes maker’s spec page
- 2023 Rad Power RadRunner 2 — rim brakes maker’s spec page
Hydraulic disc brake sets
For frames and forks that already have disc mounts. Check the mount type and your rotor size.
- Shimano BR-MT200 / BL-MT200 Hydraulic Disc SetHydraulic disc brake set (lever + caliper + hose), 2-piston post-mount, resin pads, mineral oil$42.60Amazon
- Shimano SLX BR-M7100 / BL-M7100 SetHydraulic disc set, 2-piston, Servo Wave lever, mineral oil$56.16Amazon
- Shimano XT BR-M8100 / BL-M8100 SetHydraulic disc set, 2-piston, Servo Wave, free stroke adjust$79.99Amazon
- SRAM DB8 Disc BrakeHydraulic disc, 4-piston, mineral oil, budget gravity brake, post-mount$89.32Amazon
- Shimano Deore BR-M6100 / BL-M6100 SetHydraulic disc set, 2-piston, post-mount, I-Spec EV, mineral oil$93.39Amazon
- Shimano Deore BR-M6120 (4-piston)Hydraulic disc caliper + lever, 4-piston, post-mount, more power for heavier/aggressive use$116.95Amazon
- SRAM Level T Disc BrakeHydraulic disc, 2-piston, DOT 5.1, XC/trail, post-mount$126.52Amazon
Prices were last checked when the catalog was built and can change at any time. Retailer links are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.