Disc brakes provide exceptional stopping power, even in wet or muddy terrain, making them ideal for mountain bicycling applications.
Many new Cannondale mountain bikes are shipped straight from the factory with disc brakes. The bikes that don't come with the brakes, though, are disc-ready, meaning the frame and wheels have all the right mounts to install a set of disc brakes. Bike owners can install at set of disc brakes on their Cannondale to improve the stopping power on the trails.
Instructions
1. Set your bicycle on its kickstand, upside down on its handlebars and seat, or in a dedicated bike work stand so that the bike will not fall over. You will be removing both wheels and a multitude of components to install the brakes.
2. Remove both wheels from the bike frame by either releasing the quick-releases, or unscrewing the axle nuts with a 15mm wrench. Remove the front brake rotor from the packaging and locate the six rotor mounting bolts. Line up the rotor with the six rotor mounting holes on the front wheel and fasten it to the hub using a 5mm torx wrench. Install the rear brake rotor in the same fashion.
3. Reinstall the wheels on the bike. Use a 5mm hex wrench to loosen and remove the cable attached to the right brake arm on both the front and rear brakes. Use the same wrench to then remove the brake mounting bolts from both brake arms on both brakes and set the brake arms aside. Remove the handlebar grips and use your 5mm hex wrench to loosen the brake lever clamps. Slide the levers off of the handlebars.
4. Slide the front disk brake lever onto the left side of the handlebar and tighten the clamp using a 5mm hex wrench. Install the rear disk brake lever the same way on the right side of the bars. The brake calipers should be attached to these levers via hydraulic brake lines. Do not for any reason disconnect these lines.
5. Attach the front brake caliper to the fork brake mounting holes using a 5mm hex wrench and the included mounting bolts. Line up the caliper with the brake rotor on the wheel before tightening the bolts completely. Use one of the included zip-ties to fasten the brake line to the fork so it will not get caught in the wheel.
6. Attach the rear brake caliper to the left seat-stay brake mounting holes using a 5mm hex wrench and the included mounting bolts. Line up the caliper with the brake rotor on the rear wheel before tightening the bolts completely. Use one of the included zip-ties to fasten the brake line to the top tube and seat stay of the frame so it will not get caught in the wheel or dangle unnecessarily beneath the bike.
7. Double check that every bolt installed is tightened correctly. Reinstall the handlebar grips onto both sides of the handlebar.
Tags: brake rotor, mounting bolts, bolts Line, brake lever, brake mounting