Disc brake using wire and not pneumatics?

[F0neb0ne]

Hi,

while I am very happy with my Cannondale F2 29er and disc brakes in general, I am pretty much unhappy about the problems that come with the pneumatics:
2 years ago I had the nasty situation that both disc brakes failed service while I was riding about 15 mph down a narrow forest track. I simply rode into the uphill side of the track, coming to a halt without any injuries, but that was very lucky. It seems the fluid had overheated (the discs themselves had a nice heat coloring afterwards), and of course you can't repair that yourself, let alone somewhere in the woods. This simply ended my backpacking vacation.

So the question is: Is there a offroad-proven way to combine my Shimano Ice-T RT98 (203 front, 180 back) with a mechanical brake system?

Thanks for your help!

[B@se]

AVID BB7

https://www.sram.com/avid/products/bb7-mountain-mechanical-disc-brake


Bas

[bakerjw]

That would be hydraulic and not pneumatic.

I will give a very hearty +1,000,000 for the Avid BB7 setup. For long out of the way cross country rides, cable brakes are the best IMHO. If you have brake problems, restringing a cable as compared to having to bleed out a brake line is much easier.

[Cosmo K]

You may want to check out the TRP HY/Rd brakes. http://www.cxmagazine.com/trp-brakes-hyrd-hydraulic-disc-brake-improvements-interbike-2014  I've been riding them on my Cutthroat for about a month and I'm seriously impressed...cable actuated hydraulic at the caliper.  I've gone down a 2 mile, 8 - 10% gravel descents multiple times fully loaded with no issues with heat or fade using only a finger to pull.  The power rivals "pure" hydraulics (I ride XTR's on one bike and SLX on another).   Whether they'll work with you set-up is the question.

[Yagi]

I will give a very hearty +1,000,000 for the Avid BB7 setup. For long out of the way cross country rides, cable brakes are the best IMHO. If you have brake problems, restringing a cable as compared to having to bleed out a brake line is much easier.

Definitely not going to argue this point - there's a lot to say about a purely mechanical system in the middle of nowhere - but, in thousands of miles bikepacking, I've never had a problem with my Shimano XT hydraulics.  Love them.