| |
Main
Date: 28 Apr 2007 18:39:31
From:
Subject: V-brake questions . . .
|
I just got a cyclo-cross bike, equiped with V-brakes and was wondering
about a few things. (Pardon my ignorance, but this is the first time
I had this style.)
Is there a way to remove the wheel without letting the air out of the
tire or removing the brake cable?
Is there a way to center the brakes?
Can the brakes and/or levers (Shimano STIs) be adjusted so the levers
don't need to be squeezed nearly to the bar before the pads touch the
rims?
Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
|
|
| |
Date: 01 May 2007 23:03:20
From: David L. Johnson
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
anon_a_mouse@msn.com wrote:
> I just got a cyclo-cross bike, equiped with V-brakes and was wondering
> about a few things. (Pardon my ignorance, but this is the first time
> I had this style.)
>
> Is there a way to remove the wheel without letting the air out of the
> tire or removing the brake cable?
No, you just have to unhook the brake cable from the stop. Nothing
really gets disconnected, and the brake opens up.
>
> Is there a way to center the brakes?
There are small screws near the pivots which adjust the spring tension,
and so center the brake.
>
> Can the brakes and/or levers (Shimano STIs) be adjusted so the levers
> don't need to be squeezed nearly to the bar before the pads touch the
> rims?
You need to get something called a "travel agent" that will change the
amount of cable travel. Clever gadget.
>
> Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
>
Depends. V brakes are fairly simple once you get used to them.
--
David L. Johnson
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by
little statesmen and philosophers and divines." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
|
| |
Date: 01 May 2007 17:46:34
From:
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
On Apr 30, 6:14 pm, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me > wrote:
> Sir Ridesalot wrote:
> > On Apr 30, 12:44 am, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote:
> >> BobT wrote:
> >>> "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote in message
> >>>news:4633fb24$0$9975$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> >>>>> Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
>
> >>>> Hell no!
>
> >>>> Bill S.
>
> >>> Please explain why V-brakes are so much better than center pull
> >>> cantilevered brakes, especially in the appplication.
>
> >>> If he keeps V-brakes, he will have to abandon the STI brifters for
> >>> the only drop bar compatible V brake compatible levers made by
> >>> Dia-compe and get bar-end or down-tube shifters. Another approach
> >>> is to keep the STI brifters and attach a pulley to the brakes that
> >>> increases mechanical advantage such as the Travel Agent.
>
> >> I was applying my experience with mountain bikes, and didn't notice
> >> the STI brifter aspect of the OP's question. (My above comment came
> >> in the middle of a much longer reply.)
>
> >> Still, if his bike is all set up and it's just a matter of figuring
> >> out how to adjust his V-brakes, it seems simpler to me to leave them
> >> the heck alone than to go out and buy new brakes. (He may need a
> >> travel agent, apparently, but that begs the question of how or why
> >> his bike got set up that way in the first place.)- Hide quoted text -
>
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > Hi.
>
> > When I compared the price of a Travel Agent to the price a pair of
> > Avid Shorty cantilever brakes the Avid brakes were *CHEAPER* than the
> > travel agent. Therefore it can be *LESS EXPENSIVE* for the OP to get
> > cantilever brakes than to modify his V-brakes to work with the
> > brifters. Plus the cantilever set up is less prone to fouling.
>
> Then the question remains: why was his bike set up like that in the first
> place?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
I bought the frame -- Surley -- then had my shop build it up. The V-
brakes were what they put on. (Never said the shop was a very good
one! Unfortuately its the only one nearby.) I knew nothing about the
V-brake/STI incompatibility thing. I mean, it does work OK as of now,
as the wheels are new and still true. Thing is, the pads are about
1mm from the rim, so once it goes the slightest bit out of true, I
guess I'm screwed? (The bike has already been used several times --
and is filthy as hell! -- so I gues its too late to as the shop for a
swap.) Is it very hard to put cantilevers if I found some on line
clearence deal?
|
| | |
Date: 01 May 2007 18:21:17
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
anon_a_mouse@msn.com wrote:
> On Apr 30, 6:14 pm, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote:
>> Sir Ridesalot wrote:
>>> On Apr 30, 12:44 am, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote:
>>>> BobT wrote:
>>>>> "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote in message
>>>>> news:4633fb24$0$9975$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>>>>>>> Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
>>
>>>>>> Hell no!
>>
>>>>>> Bill S.
>>
>>>>> Please explain why V-brakes are so much better than center pull
>>>>> cantilevered brakes, especially in the appplication.
>>
>>>>> If he keeps V-brakes, he will have to abandon the STI brifters for
>>>>> the only drop bar compatible V brake compatible levers made by
>>>>> Dia-compe and get bar-end or down-tube shifters. Another approach
>>>>> is to keep the STI brifters and attach a pulley to the brakes that
>>>>> increases mechanical advantage such as the Travel Agent.
>>
>>>> I was applying my experience with mountain bikes, and didn't notice
>>>> the STI brifter aspect of the OP's question. (My above comment
>>>> came in the middle of a much longer reply.)
>>
>>>> Still, if his bike is all set up and it's just a matter of figuring
>>>> out how to adjust his V-brakes, it seems simpler to me to leave
>>>> them the heck alone than to go out and buy new brakes. (He may
>>>> need a travel agent, apparently, but that begs the question of how
>>>> or why his bike got set up that way in the first place.)- Hide
>>>> quoted text -
>>
>>>> - Show quoted text -
>>
>>> Hi.
>>
>>> When I compared the price of a Travel Agent to the price a pair of
>>> Avid Shorty cantilever brakes the Avid brakes were *CHEAPER* than
>>> the travel agent. Therefore it can be *LESS EXPENSIVE* for the OP
>>> to get cantilever brakes than to modify his V-brakes to work with
>>> the brifters. Plus the cantilever set up is less prone to fouling.
>>
>> Then the question remains: why was his bike set up like that in the
>> first place?- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> I bought the frame -- Surley -- then had my shop build it up. The V-
> brakes were what they put on. (Never said the shop was a very good
> one! Unfortuately its the only one nearby.) I knew nothing about the
> V-brake/STI incompatibility thing. I mean, it does work OK as of now,
> as the wheels are new and still true. Thing is, the pads are about
> 1mm from the rim, so once it goes the slightest bit out of true, I
> guess I'm screwed? (The bike has already been used several times --
> and is filthy as hell! -- so I gues its too late to as the shop for a
> swap.) Is it very hard to put cantilevers if I found some on line
> clearence deal?\
PLEASE post a picture of this...entity :)
|
| | | |
Date: 02 May 2007 06:51:27
From: Ryan Cousineau
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
In article <4637e78d$0$1378$4c368faf@roadrunner.com >,
"Bill Sornson" <askme@ask.me > wrote:
> anon_a_mouse@msn.com wrote:
> > On Apr 30, 6:14 pm, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote:
> >> Sir Ridesalot wrote:
> >>> On Apr 30, 12:44 am, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote:
> >>>> BobT wrote:
> >>>>> "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote in message
> >>>>> news:4633fb24$0$9975$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> > I bought the frame -- Surley -- then had my shop build it up. The V-
> > brakes were what they put on. (Never said the shop was a very good
> > one! Unfortuately its the only one nearby.) I knew nothing about the
> > V-brake/STI incompatibility thing. I mean, it does work OK as of now,
> > as the wheels are new and still true. Thing is, the pads are about
> > 1mm from the rim, so once it goes the slightest bit out of true, I
> > guess I'm screwed? (The bike has already been used several times --
> > and is filthy as hell! -- so I gues its too late to as the shop for a
> > swap.) Is it very hard to put cantilevers if I found some on line
> > clearence deal?\
>
> PLEASE post a picture of this...entity :)
Bill, if only it were unique.
Given the situation, my vote would be for travel agents on the current
bike.
I run cantis on my commuter (Miyata 210 tourer) and my CX bike. If I had
access to a set of Dia-Compe 287V levers, I would surely put those and
V-brakes on the Miyata, just for the easier and more consistent setup.
CX bikes have a reason (mud clearance) for preferring cantis, and cantis
work great. I'd much rather have a set of cantis on a bike than the
usual mediocre long-reach single-pivot brakes so common on old bikes
that have enough clearance to fit fenders.
At present, I am still trying to find an application in which Tektro
Mini-Vs actually clear the tire. The no-gos so far are a CX bike and a
20" (wheel) kid-sized bike.
Noodle hits the tire, dontcha know,
--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos
|
| | | | |
Date: 02 May 2007 01:31:07
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
Ryan Cousineau wrote:
> In article <4637e78d$0$1378$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>,
> "Bill Sornson" <askme@ask.me> wrote:
>
>> anon_a_mouse@msn.com wrote:
>>> On Apr 30, 6:14 pm, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote:
>>>> Sir Ridesalot wrote:
>>>>> On Apr 30, 12:44 am, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote:
>>>>>> BobT wrote:
>>>>>>> "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:4633fb24$0$9975$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>
>>> I bought the frame -- Surley -- then had my shop build it up. The
>>> V- brakes were what they put on. (Never said the shop was a very
>>> good one! Unfortuately its the only one nearby.) I knew nothing
>>> about the V-brake/STI incompatibility thing. I mean, it does work
>>> OK as of now, as the wheels are new and still true. Thing is, the
>>> pads are about 1mm from the rim, so once it goes the slightest bit
>>> out of true, I guess I'm screwed? (The bike has already been used
>>> several times -- and is filthy as hell! -- so I gues its too late
>>> to as the shop for a swap.) Is it very hard to put cantilevers if
>>> I found some on line clearence deal?\
>>
>> PLEASE post a picture of this...entity :)
>
> Bill, if only it were unique.
>
> Given the situation, my vote would be for travel agents on the current
> bike.
>
> I run cantis on my commuter (Miyata 210 tourer) and my CX bike. If I
> had access to a set of Dia-Compe 287V levers, I would surely put
> those and V-brakes on the Miyata, just for the easier and more
> consistent setup.
>
> CX bikes have a reason (mud clearance) for preferring cantis, and
> cantis work great. I'd much rather have a set of cantis on a bike
> than the usual mediocre long-reach single-pivot brakes so common on
> old bikes that have enough clearance to fit fenders.
>
> At present, I am still trying to find an application in which Tektro
> Mini-Vs actually clear the tire. The no-gos so far are a CX bike and a
> 20" (wheel) kid-sized bike.
>
> Noodle hits the tire, dontcha know,
I guess I'm just curious as to why the bike shop built the bike like this
(per the OP). I want to see those levers.
Bill "braking voyeur" S.
|
| | | | | |
Date: 02 May 2007 17:13:15
From: Ryan Cousineau
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
In article <46384c4b$0$9922$4c368faf@roadrunner.com >,
"Bill Sornson" <askme@ask.me > wrote:
> Ryan Cousineau wrote:
> > In article <4637e78d$0$1378$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>,
> > "Bill Sornson" <askme@ask.me> wrote:
> >
> >> anon_a_mouse@msn.com wrote:
> >>> On Apr 30, 6:14 pm, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote:
> >>>> Sir Ridesalot wrote:
> >>>>> On Apr 30, 12:44 am, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote:
> >>>>>> BobT wrote:
> >>>>>>> "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote in message
> >>>>>>> news:4633fb24$0$9975$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> >
> >>> I bought the frame -- Surley -- then had my shop build it up. The
> >>> V- brakes were what they put on. (Never said the shop was a very
> >>> good one! Unfortuately its the only one nearby.) I knew nothing
> >>> about the V-brake/STI incompatibility thing. I mean, it does work
> >>> OK as of now, as the wheels are new and still true. Thing is, the
> >>> pads are about 1mm from the rim, so once it goes the slightest bit
> >>> out of true, I guess I'm screwed? (The bike has already been used
> >>> several times -- and is filthy as hell! -- so I gues its too late
> >>> to as the shop for a swap.) Is it very hard to put cantilevers if
> >>> I found some on line clearence deal?\
> >>
> >> PLEASE post a picture of this...entity :)
> >
> > Bill, if only it were unique.
> I guess I'm just curious as to why the bike shop built the bike like this
> (per the OP). I want to see those levers.
>
> Bill "braking voyeur" S.
My guess is that they're dumb and were able to make it sort of work.
--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos
|
| |
Date: 01 May 2007 02:47:56
From: Sir Ridesalot
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
On Apr 30, 6:14 pm, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me > wrote:
> Sir Ridesalot wrote:
> > On Apr 30, 12:44 am, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote:
> >> BobT wrote:
> >>> "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote in message
> >>>news:4633fb24$0$9975$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> >>>>> Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
>
> >>>> Hell no!
>
> >>>> Bill S.
>
> >>> Please explain why V-brakes are so much better than center pull
> >>> cantilevered brakes, especially in the appplication.
>
> >>> If he keeps V-brakes, he will have to abandon the STI brifters for
> >>> the only drop bar compatible V brake compatible levers made by
> >>> Dia-compe and get bar-end or down-tube shifters. Another approach
> >>> is to keep the STI brifters and attach a pulley to the brakes that
> >>> increases mechanical advantage such as the Travel Agent.
>
> >> I was applying my experience with mountain bikes, and didn't notice
> >> the STI brifter aspect of the OP's question. (My above comment came
> >> in the middle of a much longer reply.)
>
> >> Still, if his bike is all set up and it's just a matter of figuring
> >> out how to adjust his V-brakes, it seems simpler to me to leave them
> >> the heck alone than to go out and buy new brakes. (He may need a
> >> travel agent, apparently, but that begs the question of how or why
> >> his bike got set up that way in the first place.)- Hide quoted text -
>
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > Hi.
>
> > When I compared the price of a Travel Agent to the price a pair of
> > Avid Shorty cantilever brakes the Avid brakes were *CHEAPER* than the
> > travel agent. Therefore it can be *LESS EXPENSIVE* for the OP to get
> > cantilever brakes than to modify his V-brakes to work with the
> > brifters. Plus the cantilever set up is less prone to fouling.
>
> Then the question remains: why was his bike set up like that in the first
> place?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Hi there.
Why his bike came with V-vrakes and Brifters is our question. The OP's
question is would he be better off with cantilever brakes. The answer
is yes he is better off with cantilever brakes such as the Avid
Shortys which are cheaper than the Travel Agents needed to use the V-
brakes with Brifters. The 2 pairs of Avid cantilever brakes are also
less expensive than the Dia Compe drop bar V-brake levers.
Cheers from Peter
|
| | |
Date: 01 May 2007 10:57:37
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
Sir Ridesalot wrote:
> On Apr 30, 6:14 pm, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote:
>> Sir Ridesalot wrote:
>>> On Apr 30, 12:44 am, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote:
>>>> BobT wrote:
>>>>> "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote in message
>>>>> news:4633fb24$0$9975$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>>>>>>> Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
>>
>>>>>> Hell no!
>>
>>>>>> Bill S.
>>
>>>>> Please explain why V-brakes are so much better than center pull
>>>>> cantilevered brakes, especially in the appplication.
>>
>>>>> If he keeps V-brakes, he will have to abandon the STI brifters for
>>>>> the only drop bar compatible V brake compatible levers made by
>>>>> Dia-compe and get bar-end or down-tube shifters. Another approach
>>>>> is to keep the STI brifters and attach a pulley to the brakes that
>>>>> increases mechanical advantage such as the Travel Agent.
>>
>>>> I was applying my experience with mountain bikes, and didn't notice
>>>> the STI brifter aspect of the OP's question. (My above comment
>>>> came in the middle of a much longer reply.)
>>
>>>> Still, if his bike is all set up and it's just a matter of figuring
>>>> out how to adjust his V-brakes, it seems simpler to me to leave
>>>> them the heck alone than to go out and buy new brakes. (He may
>>>> need a travel agent, apparently, but that begs the question of how
>>>> or why his bike got set up that way in the first place.)- Hide
>>>> quoted text -
>>
>>>> - Show quoted text -
>>
>>> Hi.
>>
>>> When I compared the price of a Travel Agent to the price a pair of
>>> Avid Shorty cantilever brakes the Avid brakes were *CHEAPER* than
>>> the travel agent. Therefore it can be *LESS EXPENSIVE* for the OP
>>> to get cantilever brakes than to modify his V-brakes to work with
>>> the brifters. Plus the cantilever set up is less prone to fouling.
>>
>> Then the question remains: why was his bike set up like that in the
>> first place?- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
>
> Hi there.
>
> Why his bike came with V-vrakes and Brifters is our question. The OP's
> question is would he be better off with cantilever brakes. The answer
> is yes he is better off with cantilever brakes such as the Avid
> Shortys which are cheaper than the Travel Agents needed to use the V-
> brakes with Brifters. The 2 pairs of Avid cantilever brakes are also
> less expensive than the Dia Compe drop bar V-brake levers.
>
> Cheers from Peter
Actually, the OP asked how to remove a wheel, how to center the brakes, and
how to adjust the levers to not have to squeeze so hard/far. Makes me
wonder if they really are STI, but assuming they are, one must think that
the bike worked pretty well at one point set up that way. I'm not convinced
it couldn't be made "right" without buying a thing.
Maybe the OP can post a picture of the beast?
B
|
| |
Date: 30 Apr 2007 13:37:18
From: Sir Ridesalot
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
On Apr 30, 12:44 am, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me > wrote:
> BobT wrote:
> > "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote in message
> >news:4633fb24$0$9975$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> >>> Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
>
> >> Hell no!
>
> >> Bill S.
>
> > Please explain why V-brakes are so much better than center pull
> > cantilevered brakes, especially in the appplication.
>
> > If he keeps V-brakes, he will have to abandon the STI brifters for
> > the only drop bar compatible V brake compatible levers made by
> > Dia-compe and get bar-end or down-tube shifters. Another approach is
> > to keep the STI brifters and attach a pulley to the brakes that
> > increases mechanical advantage such as the Travel Agent.
>
> I was applying my experience with mountain bikes, and didn't notice the STI
> brifter aspect of the OP's question. (My above comment came in the middle
> of a much longer reply.)
>
> Still, if his bike is all set up and it's just a matter of figuring out how
> to adjust his V-brakes, it seems simpler to me to leave them the heck alone
> than to go out and buy new brakes. (He may need a travel agent, apparently,
> but that begs the question of how or why his bike got set up that way in the
> first place.)- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Hi.
When I compared the price of a Travel Agent to the price a pair of
Avid Shorty cantilever brakes the Avid brakes were *CHEAPER* than the
travel agent. Therefore it can be *LESS EXPENSIVE* for the OP to get
cantilever brakes than to modify his V-brakes to work with the
brifters. Plus the cantilever set up is less prone to fouling.
Peter
|
| | |
Date: 30 Apr 2007 15:14:32
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
Sir Ridesalot wrote:
> On Apr 30, 12:44 am, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote:
>> BobT wrote:
>>> "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me> wrote in message
>>> news:4633fb24$0$9975$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>>>>> Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
>>
>>>> Hell no!
>>
>>>> Bill S.
>>
>>> Please explain why V-brakes are so much better than center pull
>>> cantilevered brakes, especially in the appplication.
>>
>>> If he keeps V-brakes, he will have to abandon the STI brifters for
>>> the only drop bar compatible V brake compatible levers made by
>>> Dia-compe and get bar-end or down-tube shifters. Another approach
>>> is to keep the STI brifters and attach a pulley to the brakes that
>>> increases mechanical advantage such as the Travel Agent.
>>
>> I was applying my experience with mountain bikes, and didn't notice
>> the STI brifter aspect of the OP's question. (My above comment came
>> in the middle of a much longer reply.)
>>
>> Still, if his bike is all set up and it's just a matter of figuring
>> out how to adjust his V-brakes, it seems simpler to me to leave them
>> the heck alone than to go out and buy new brakes. (He may need a
>> travel agent, apparently, but that begs the question of how or why
>> his bike got set up that way in the first place.)- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Hi.
>
> When I compared the price of a Travel Agent to the price a pair of
> Avid Shorty cantilever brakes the Avid brakes were *CHEAPER* than the
> travel agent. Therefore it can be *LESS EXPENSIVE* for the OP to get
> cantilever brakes than to modify his V-brakes to work with the
> brifters. Plus the cantilever set up is less prone to fouling.
Then the question remains: why was his bike set up like that in the first
place?
|
| |
Date: 29 Apr 2007 08:17:13
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
In article <1177833297.884475.69490@y80g2000hsf.googlegroups.com >,
Sir Ridesalot <i_am_cycle_pathic@yahoo.ca > writes:
>> Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
>
> *YES!* It is less expensive to get cantilevers than it is for the
> adapters needed to use STI with V-brakes. Also cantilevers are better
> in mud because they have more clearance. Avid Shortys are a good
> inexpensive choice for cantilevers.
>
> I am amazed that an STI cyclo-cross bike came with V-brakes. I would
> ask the shop to swap the V-brakes for cantilevers since the V-brake/
> STI combo is widely known to not be compatible. In my opinion they
> should not charge you for the change either.
For a commuting/utility/rain bike, centre-pull cantis
might be preferable over V-brakes because they more
easily accommodate fenders.
cheers,
Tom
--
Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca
|
| |
Date: 29 Apr 2007 00:54:57
From: Sir Ridesalot
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
On Apr 28, 9:39 pm, anon_a_mo...@msn.com wrote:
> I just got a cyclo-cross bike, equiped with V-brakes and was wondering
> about a few things. (Pardon my ignorance, but this is the first time
> I had this style.)
Snipped
>
> Can the brakes and/or levers (Shimano STIs) be adjusted so the levers
> don't need to be squeezed nearly to the bar before the pads touch the
> rims?
>
Without a special adapter *NO*. STIs are not compatible with V-brakes
unless a special adapter such as a Travel Agent is used.
> Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
*YES!* It is less expensive to get cantilevers than it is for the
adapters needed to use STI with V-brakes. Also cantilevers are better
in mud because they have more clearance. Avid Shortys are a good
inexpensive choice for cantilevers.
I am amazed that an STI cyclo-cross bike came with V-brakes. I would
ask the shop to swap the V-brakes for cantilevers since the V-brake/
STI combo is widely known to not be compatible. In my opinion they
should not charge you for the change either.
Cheers from Peter
Cheers from Peter
|
| |
Date: 28 Apr 2007 23:21:19
From: Steven S
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
You should not have v brakes on an road bike with STI levers. They don't
pull enough cable. In fact the only drop bar lever that does is the dia
compe 287V. That is why you end up not being able to pull the lever enough
to engage the brakes. Using an adaptor like the travel agent, basically a
pulley that goes on the cable by the brake, you can increase the lever's
cable pull and make it work. Cantilevers would work fine no adaptor needed.
To remove the wheel: you unhook the noodle from the hook. This is done by
pulling the two calipers together while pivoting the hook downwards.
To center: each of the two calipers should have a small screw on the side
of the anchor bolt area. Screwing it in puts more tension on the spring
forcing brake arm away from the rim and vice versa for loosening the screw.
<anon_a_mouse@msn.com > wrote in message
news:1177810771.071831.247700@n59g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>I just got a cyclo-cross bike, equiped with V-brakes and was wondering
> about a few things. (Pardon my ignorance, but this is the first time
> I had this style.)
>
> Is there a way to remove the wheel without letting the air out of the
> tire or removing the brake cable?
>
> Is there a way to center the brakes?
>
> Can the brakes and/or levers (Shimano STIs) be adjusted so the levers
> don't need to be squeezed nearly to the bar before the pads touch the
> rims?
>
> Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
>
|
| |
Date: 28 Apr 2007 18:55:33
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
anon_a_mouse@msn.com wrote:
> I just got a cyclo-cross bike, equiped with V-brakes and was wondering
> about a few things. (Pardon my ignorance, but this is the first time
> I had this style.)
>
> Is there a way to remove the wheel without letting the air out of the
> tire or removing the brake cable?
Yes. You squeeze the brake arms together and pop the little "bracket
thingy" up once there's slack in the cable.
> Is there a way to center the brakes?
Yes, there are little tension screws on each side. Tighten to widen the pad
gap; loosen to reduce (works the same as cable tension adjusters).
> Can the brakes and/or levers (Shimano STIs) be adjusted so the levers
> don't need to be squeezed nearly to the bar before the pads touch the
> rims?
Yes, you'll need to release the brake cable and take up some slack; then
re-tighten retaining bolt. Most likely the wheel won't turn at all at this
point; use techniques above to adjust/center brake arms.
> Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
Hell no!
I'm sure someone will explain this better; better yet, go to Sheldon Brown's
or Park Tools' sites and look at the pictures with directions.
Once you get 'em, V-brakes are about the easiest brakes to set up and
adjust.
Enjoy your new bike!
Bill S.
|
| | |
Date: 29 Apr 2007 23:15:37
From: BobT
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
"Bill Sornson" <askme@ask.me > wrote in message
news:4633fb24$0$9975$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>> Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
>
> Hell no!
>
> Bill S.
Please explain why V-brakes are so much better than center pull cantilevered
brakes, especially in the appplication.
If he keeps V-brakes, he will have to abandon the STI brifters for the only
drop bar compatible V brake compatible levers made by Dia-compe and get
bar-end or down-tube shifters. Another approach is to keep the STI
brifters and attach a pulley to the brakes that increases mechanical
advantage such as the Travel Agent.
BobT
|
| | | |
Date: 29 Apr 2007 21:44:19
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
BobT wrote:
> "Bill Sornson" <askme@ask.me> wrote in message
> news:4633fb24$0$9975$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>>> Would I be better of with cantilevered brakes?
>>
>> Hell no!
>>
>> Bill S.
>
> Please explain why V-brakes are so much better than center pull
> cantilevered brakes, especially in the appplication.
>
> If he keeps V-brakes, he will have to abandon the STI brifters for
> the only drop bar compatible V brake compatible levers made by
> Dia-compe and get bar-end or down-tube shifters. Another approach is
> to keep the STI brifters and attach a pulley to the brakes that
> increases mechanical advantage such as the Travel Agent.
I was applying my experience with mountain bikes, and didn't notice the STI
brifter aspect of the OP's question. (My above comment came in the middle
of a much longer reply.)
Still, if his bike is all set up and it's just a matter of figuring out how
to adjust his V-brakes, it seems simpler to me to leave them the heck alone
than to go out and buy new brakes. (He may need a travel agent, apparently,
but that begs the question of how or why his bike got set up that way in the
first place.)
|
| | | | |
Date: 01 May 2007 23:26:55
From: David L. Johnson
Subject: Re: V-brake questions . . .
|
Bill Sornson wrote:
>
> Still, if his bike is all set up and it's just a matter of figuring out how
> to adjust his V-brakes, it seems simpler to me to leave them the heck alone
> than to go out and buy new brakes. (He may need a travel agent, apparently,
> but that begs the question of how or why his bike got set up that way in the
> first place.)
In addition, he will need brake cable hangers to use canti's. It may be
not so trivial to set that up, depending on the bike. I see no real
reason to change from one to the other. Yes, v-brakes take more cable
travel to operate, but travel agents take care of that. Many canti's
do, too, except for the avid shorties.
--
David L. Johnson
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by
little statesmen and philosophers and divines." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
|
|
