Brakes - Help required!?!?!

[Bugner]

I have a 2007 Specialized Tricross that is fitted with (what I believe are STI levers) and V brakes.

I know earlier models were fitted with cantilever brakes, but were changed due to fork shudder. My model still has all the braze ons to accept cantilever.

I have read a couple of articles regarding the tektro CR520/720's and am considering getting them. They have been said to be good for touring bikes and cyclocross bikes

However, having read Sheldon Brown's articles regarding MA, apparantly 'V brakes' are more efficient??

I don't feel this is the case with my surrent setup and have to pull my brakes pretty hard to get a response. As the Tricross was initially designed for cantilevers, could it be that I have the wrong levers for the type of brakes??

Also I have a nightmare when trying to adjust and because I have to get them so close to the wheel and they are under tension, I can't take advantage of the quick release when I get a puncture??

I am seriously confused Any help or advice would be much appreciated

 

[PatrickPending]

I believe V-brakes require a different amount of cable pull from cantis (and dual pivots/sidepulls) therefore using brakes designed foir one gtype won'twork well on the other

i've no experience with your bike or the levers - are they designed for v-brakes? - it sounds as if this is not the case which would account for the problem you describe (v brakes requiring more cable pull). The canti solution may well be the way to go - i've read loads of good comments on the tektro - but have no first hand experience myself

i'm sure someone else will provide more details......

by the way sheldon does mention v-brakes require levers with a different pull to maintain the mechanical advantage

pps this may be of interest

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=17812

 

[Bugner]

can anybody else throw any light on my dilemma? Thanks!!

 

[stoatsngroats]

I think it sounds suspect that you're having this amount of trouble.

My Roadbike has canti, and the brakes are wicked, my MTB has disc/v brakes, and is equally wicked...your brakes sound pants....can you get the LBS to check them out - or perhaps, post some pics...?

 

[PatrickPending]

was the bike second hand? I believe the tricross doesn't come with v-brakes (cantis as standard??) so someone probably retrofitted them. In which case its a case of wrong levers for the type of brakes.

 

[Steve Austin]

You can get mini V's that will work with drop levers. this is possible what your tricross has got. Traditional V brakes will not work very well, have they got any markings on them?

 

[PatrickPending]

Have a look here

http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3804

questions and answers about v-brakes and drop bars, and the effectivness of mini-v brakes with drop bar road levers.

You should find the answer here!

 

[RedBike]

You've got mini v's. I've not used the Tektro canti's but I seriously doubt they're an improvement on the brakes you've already got. Mini-v's are quite powerful relative to most canti brakes.

Pretty rubbish though compared to full sized V's / a good set of duel pivots.

Invest in a set of soft koolstop pads for them.

 

[Davidc]

Make sure that the levers and the brakes are right for each other. The brakes are mechanically one single system and to get the right force on the brake friction parts to give the right amount of braking force at the tyre you must have all the right components correctly set up.