Decent V brakes

[slackboy]

Hi,

I've got two builds going on at the moment;

1) 1995 specialized stumpjumper
2) 1997/8 specialised rockhopper for my daughter


I'm looking for some advice on the best (reasonably priced) v brakes to get.

I've got some later model M739 v's for the stumpjumper but I'm not happy with them. I don't know whether that's poor set up or whether they are just worn out. The pivots were very stiff when I got them and they generally feel spongy.

So, basically I'm looking for some recommendations about what to get - I'd be happy with new stuff for the rockhopper but would prefer period stuff for the stumpjumper.

obviously, I'd like a set of Avid Ultimates, but I don't think thats going to happen.

Cheers.

 

[mattr]

Spongy is probably rubbish cables. Inner or outer, or badly finished outers. They can get sloppy over time though. Stiff pivots says they probably aren't tho.

 

[slackboy]

Thanks, I used whatever I had the spares box, which, if I recall, was some cheap clarkes stuff from Halfords.

I'll get something better and try again.

 

[wadsy]

Re:

I've tried the XT and wasn't impressed with them as well.

XTR M950 are far better or try some Avids as you suggest, they don't have to be the Ultimates either

 

[hamster]

Avid 25: lighter than XTR, none of that screechy parallel push nonsense either.
Failing that, plain old vanilla Deore. Cheap, light enough, work brilliantly.

Either way, fit Ashima 4-fun, Aztec or Kool stop pads and decent cables. I always tip the end of the outers off flat using the bench grinder.

 

[legrandefromage]

'Spongy' cant normally be associated with v-brakes unless you have adjustable levers set to very low or have accidentally used canti specific levers.

Other factors are poorly placed pads - too much toe in, flexible outer compressing and loosing leverage, bendy noodles.

It doesnt matter what brand name appears on the arm, clean cables, properly set pads and they will all work as well as each other.

And properly set toe-in usually cures the squeely Cameron pig of multi pivot arms.

Another overlooked 'spongy' bit is the frame itself. Stationary you can flex some frames quite alarmingly. In motion this disappears.

Forks too will flex under braking as the rotation is forcing the pad out and away from the wheel

 

[FSXStumpy]

Exactly as LGF says. Vbrakes just work, and their setup is quite simple. On my family's bikes, we're running V-brakes from the lowest of the low (on a 20" kids bike) to first-year linkage XT's on mine. They all work wonderfully (easily modulated, enough power to lock either wheel) with good pads and cables and decent levers.

I've found that OEM shimano pads tend towards being rather hard and abrasive, relatively ineffective. I've had great luck with a variety of Ritchie (blue), Jagwire (orangey pink) and Kool-stop pads.

The only brake I run with a booster (to prevent excessive spongey flex) is my front, on my skinny legged FSX forks. All of my V setups at least equal my daughter's Avid mechanical disks, and squeal less to boot.

hauling my 225# down from 60+kph is no small task, either.

If the XT's parallel linkage is stiff, it can all be disassembled rather easily for service. The problem is usually the main bushing, as these brakes turn on an internal bushing, not on the brake boss.

J

 

[saulus]

Perhaps consider Deore DX BR M600. They are unfiddly to set up and tune with a nice sleek look to them too. You can get a f&r for £20 -/+. and matching levers BL M600/1. Also in red if you like. Easy to find on here or Ebay.

They were made from 96 onwards til 2000, if I recall correctly.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Perhaps consider Deore DX BR M600. They are unfiddly to set up and tune with a nice sleek look to them too. You can get a f&r for £20 -/+. and matching levers BL M600/1. Also in red if you like. Easy to find on here or Ebay.

They were made from 96 onwards til 2000, if I recall correctly.

They where it deore, just DX and aimed and launched as a BMX group.

However STX used the same lever and brakes. I don't like the style myself but even up to 2010 the lever where effectively in use as LX but the newer LX/XT v brakes are simple very light and work really well. (XT lever to me are much nicer than the DX/STX/LX styling.

 

[Silvergoat]

Re:

I'd recommend a set of Avid Digits retro fitted with 72mm long Aztec Gripper pads for V-brakes. Installation is easy – no messing and cursing for ages, like with old cantis. Had mine set up working in about 10 mins. They get daily use commuting miles through London and I trust my life to the Avids. No need for discs.

Can fit these http://problemsolversbike.com/products/travel_agents/ so you can use the old canti levers with the Vs.