Info needed about v brakes and shifter repacement.

[cyberstretch]

Hi all

I thought that I new enough about bikes to get me back into cycling after 20 years, but apparently not !
After 6 months of cycling i have decided i like it enough to upgrade the secondhand Giant hybrid i bought, but firstly i need to sort out the faults with the V brakes and shifters thath have occured over the last couple of weeks, and was hoping someone could help me out with a couple of questions ?

Can i change the twist shifters to triggers easily ? The front and rear derailleurs are shimano not sure about the shifters themselves. I was looking at the intergrated trigger and brake lever.
Also are ALL V-brakes interchangable ? - regarding fitment to the frame.

Thanks people, really appreciate any help.

 

[gbb]

Done it myself cyber...I brought Ezyfire shifters with inner cables and managed to adapt/use my existing cable outers. Trigger shifters are sooo much better, the difference is huge.

Points to watch are, grips, getting them off in one piece and then getting them back on, you may or may not need to trim them to fit the new shifters.
The old grip shifts (well mine anyway) were clamped to the bars by a small pozi screw under the unit, mine were swines to undo, corroded in.

Otherwise, it's not rocket science, just the usual setting up .

What speed is your current setup ?, remember 8 speed Ezifire (assuming its Ezifire you're going for)shifters operate 7 speed systems perfectly, 7 speed shifters are harder to get hold of.

Regarding the V brakes, I assume you mean will any V brake lever (such as those on the Ezifire) work any V brakes...generally speaking, yes.

 

[cyberstretch]

Thanks for the heads up gbb.
The bike was second hand so it wasnt the best condition mechanically, but i needed a big frame fast and this came up first. The whole v brake system, cables and mechanisms, blocks etc need changing and have seen many kits, just wasnt sure if they were all retro fit. My current set up is 21 speed so obviously a compatible shifter/brake lever unit is needed. All the items to be changed seem to be easy to remove with no major issue undoing and the grips slide right off too.

 

[Andy_R]

Easy job to do, but personally, I would avoid Ez Fire and go for seperate brake lever/gear shifters. My reasoning is that if something happens to the brake lever, you have to replace brake and gear shifter (same goes fif gear shifter breaks). If they're seperate, you only have to replace the broken item. I have to say though, that I've never been a fan of multi function components/devices, but that is purely personal preference, and I'm sure someone will come along and say that multi function is the best thing since sliced bread. They will, however, be totally wrong!

 

[gbb]

Easy job to do, but personally, I would avoid Ez Fire and go for seperate brake lever/gear shifters. My reasoning is that if something happens to the brake lever, you have to replace brake and gear shifter (same goes fif gear shifter breaks). If they're seperate, you only have to replace the broken item. I have to say though, that I've never been a fan of multi function components/devices, but that is purely personal preference, and I'm sure someone will come along and say that multi function is the best thing since sliced bread. They will, however, be totally wrong!

What you say is true, but of course nothing is black and white...I have broken one set of Ezifires, but I console myself with the thought that I actually like the look and functionality of them. Instant to change gear, look ok, and despite my breaking one set, they are reasonably durable.
TBF Ezifire ( I know there are other options, these are just ones I've had) aren't too expensive on eBay, I seem to remember buying a new pair for less than £20, possibly more like £16.

 

[gbb]

Thanks for the heads up gbb.
The bike was second hand so it wasnt the best condition mechanically, but i needed a big frame fast and this came up first. The whole v brake system, cables and mechanisms, blocks etc need changing and have seen many kits, just wasnt sure if they were all retro fit. My current set up is 21 speed so obviously a compatible shifter/brake lever unit is needed. All the items to be changed seem to be easy to remove with no major issue undoing and the grips slide right off too.

AFAIK they're all interchangeable, I've fitted all sorts of oddments off car boots to clunkers for people, never had issues, so a new set should be fine, especially if you get a reasonable brand.

As said, you can use 8 speed shifters if 7 speed are not readily available, you just don't select the 8th gear.

 

[GlenBen]

Wilko motosave stock a pair of 3x7 shimano triggers, brakes incorporated. They were only £15 when I got mine. Happened across them whilst having an mot done. Far better than grip shifters.

As for cables, budget ones can be had from wilkinsons, theyre ok, not great but ok. Or hundreds of better ones all over the place.

Have a look on youtube for cj hoyle, he does a lot of videos about bike maintenance, Ive found them to be some of the better ones.