Brakes

[Sunny Portrush]

Hi all - I have two bikes, a Revolution Ascent MTB and a Viking Giro which I just picked up the other day. Now, the brakes on the Giro are not as anywhere near as good as the ones on the MTB (they have tektro 374 V-brakes). What`s the best way of improving the brakes on the Giro (it has Promax alloy side pull brakes, whatever that means!)?

Surely it`s not just a case of getting better brakes pads is it? The ones on there just now look fine. I would like to put on the same kind of brakes that the Revolution has - is that possible? I`m new to all this bike building lark so apologies if that`s an astoundingly daft question!

 

[lpretro1]

Fit a Shimano dual pivot brake

 

[smokeysmoo]

Decent pads are the easiest first fix, and IME can make a tremendous difference.

SWISSSTOP GREEN or KOOLSTOP SALMON are the two favourites that get mentioned.

FWIW I run Swissstop Green on both my bikes.

If you fit them and are still not happy and go onto change the calipers I'd still fit the decent pads to your new calipers because stock pads from the likes of Shimano are bobbins anyway.

PS: If you do decide on new calipers PM accountantpete, he regularly has such things for sale.

 

[accountantpete]

None in ATM but you need a cartridge brake system with shoes and pads not the single pice pads that you see on cheap brakes.

The shoe is a metal frame and the pad slides in and is replaceable..

I would be tempted to get some second hand Shimano 105 brakes - they have the cartridge system - and then get some Kool Stops or Swisstops to pop in.

 

[fossyant]

Being a Viking it may need longer drop Shimano BR-A550 for the 47-57mm drop ?

 

[Sunny Portrush]

This may be another naive question but can`t I just use the existing brake cables but attach a different system to the wheels?