Early Retirement Extreme Forums

no.

For a cheap/old bike, you'd want to adjust or replace the rim brakes. Doing what it takes to change (just the front) brakes to disc would likely cost way more than the $100 for the bike.

Unless you're riding in a place/way that gets the bike really muddy, good rim brakes in good adjustment are nearly as good as discs.

Disc brakes are easier for the user and harder for the mechanic. Rim brakes are the other way around. All brake-systems should be able to lock/skid the wheels. If you can lock the wheels, there's no difference. If you can't, you should adjust/fix your system --- become more mechanic.