I've got a 2015 bike with V-brakes, still works fine. I hear everyone's switching to disc brakes. Is it actually a noticeable difference or just a trend? And how much does it cost - does it make sense to convert an old bike or should I just buy a new one?
If your V-brakes are still working fine, there's no need to switch. Disc brakes really are better - they're more powerful, they don't depend on rim dirt, and they work better in wet weather. But you only notice that if you ride often in tough conditions, go uphill, or ride through mud. For casual city rides, the difference is minimal. Converting isn't just swapping pads - you'll need a new fork (front), possibly new wheels, and frame modifications to mount the caliper. All told, it'll cost you a fair bit.
Honestly, it's easier to just buy a new bike than convert an old one to disc brakes. A 2015 bike is already, frankly, not fresh hardware, and if you convert it you'll sink at least a decent amount of money into it. And then the rest of the stuff - drivetrain, hubs, rims - could be the same age and need replacing too. A new bike with discs will be cheaper than a conversion plus repairs to everything else.
Bottom line: if the brakes work, keep riding on V-brakes and leave it alone. If you don't ride much and not in harsh conditions, there's really no point in switching. When the bike completely falls apart, that's when it makes sense to buy a new one with the setup you actually want.
It only makes sense to switch if you're actively riding in mud, rain, or on challenging trails - for regular city riding and occasional trips, V-brakes are plenty. Disc brakes do hold better, but you'll only notice the difference in extreme conditions, and the conversion will require replacing the rim, wheels, possibly the frame - it's not just swapping out one part.
I knew a guy with an old bike that had regular brakes, and he only rode it a couple times a month on asphalt. He kept hearing "why don't you switch to discs," but in the end he just tightened the cables and called it good. Rode it fine for another five years. But another guy was constantly riding through mud and forest, and for him switching to discs made a real difference - braking became solid no matter the weather.
Converting an old bike to disc brakes isn't just about buying a set of discs. You'll need a new fork (if you're going disc up front), a new rim or complete rear wheel assembly, adapters for the frame, cables, and calipers. You're looking at roughly a third of the price of a new bike, maybe more, depending on which components you pick.
But here's what I'd suggest trying before you do the conversion - replace the V-brake pads with something more modern and better quality. Sometimes old brakes "wake up" with decent new pads. It's also worth making sure your rims aren't oily and are getting cleaned properly before each ride. A lot of people think their brakes are acting up when really it's just a dirty rim.
The conversion makes sense if you're actually riding hard - mountains, mud, fast descents. For cottage trips or commuting around town, V-brakes work fine for years without issues. And yeah, psychologically it's different - disc brakes give you more confidence and control. But if you like your bike overall and don't have the budget, it's way easier to just swap it out for something newer in a couple of years than to sink half the cost of a new one into upgrading it now.
I'm seconding that it's gonna be expensive and complicated to convert 😅 but here's the thing that matters: even if you're ready to spend the money, you need to check whether your frame is even compatible with disc brakes - on old bikes from around 2015, the mounts for discs often aren't built in, and then the conversion becomes straight-up impossible without swapping the frame.
If you do have the mounts though, it makes sense to switch only the front - that's where you get the main braking difference, and you can leave the rear V-brake as is.
My neighbor had the exact same bike from 2015, and at first he wanted to upgrade to disc brakes :) but then it turned out the frame and fork aren't designed for them, and the conversion would've cost almost as much as a new bike. In the end he just replaced the cables, pads and tuned up the V-brakes - and the bike works like new again.
So my advice: if your brakes are holding up fine, just service what you've got first. Disc brakes really are more convenient in mud and rain, but it's not critical for city riding and occasional trips. And if you ever want to do a full upgrade - it's easier to just buy a modern bike with disc brakes already built in than to retrofit an old one :)
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