Which brakes

[Bugner]

Hello,

I have posted similar question on beginners section, but am struggling to get an answer. I have Specialized Tricross that came with mini V brakes and I have Koolstop pads, but I just don't feel I am getting enough stopping power?

I think I am going to remove the dual levers as I hardly use them, so should I change brakes? I have read various things re Canti's, Froglegs, Avid Shorties, Tektro 520's and am really confused?

I want to keep STI levers, so what would be best brake setup to go with this? Please help

Cheers

 

[palinurus]

Cantis work with STI levers but I don't know whether you'll get better braking out of cantis compared with mini Vs on STI levers (never used the latter).

 

[RedBike]

Shorties are slightly better but they wont make a huge difference to the power of your brakes. I'm having a terrible time stopping my tri-cross fork juddering all over the place with Shorties. I certainly wouldn't recommend them for your bike.

Your best bet is to remove the top levers (and therefore remove some brake flex), fit koolstop pads and set up your existing brakes as close to the rims as you can get them without them rubbing.

Failing that it's time to change everything and look at Avid BB7 discs.

 

[Bugner]

being a relative novice, what woudl it involve to fit disc brakes? I take it the Tricross forks aren't made for disc brakes, so would have to get get new forks as well as brakes, plus new levers??????

 

[Dave5N]

Disc brakes are not allowed in 'cross.

Not a good idea either to set the blocks close to the rim.

 

[RedBike]

being a relative novice, what woudl it involve to fit disc brakes?

lots!

The recommendation of disc brakes was a bit of a flippent comment (sorry). To fit discs to the tricross would be increadably expensive. You'd need to change the fork, fit an adapter to the rear and change your wheels. Probably the only thing you wouldn't need to change would be the levers. You can buy road disc calipers (Avid BB7s). All in all it's probably not worth the expense.

Disc brakes aren't allowed in national / high level cyclo-cross races but if you enter the club run events you can use a MTB (with discs) if you really wanted to.

Setting the blocks close to the rims increases the likelyhood of the brakes clogging but it does help increase the braking power. Obviously you dont want the pads so close that they rub.

 

[Dave5N]

Disc brakes aren't allowed in most local races either. For very good reason. MTBs are.

 

[Young Un]

Disc brakes aren't allowed in most local races either. For very good reason. MTBs are.

What is the reason Dave, I have never really understood that rule?

 

[Dave5N]

Because 'cross bikes get carried in the bunch. ANd you don't want a hot, sharp disc swung into your face.

 

[Young Un]

Ah yes now I understand it, cheers Dave

 

[yogi]

Kore cantilevers or Tektro 520's - very powerful and adjustable toe-in too. I'm currently using a pair of 4ZA's - powerful but no toe-in unfortunately.

 

[palinurus]

A colleague has just bought a Focus Mares cross from Wiggle. It's got Tektro mini V brakes. In terms of stopping power and general positive feel they are better than the Avid shorty cantis on my bike. I was quite impressed with them (the levers on the bar tops worked much better than I was expecting too). We have similar levers, brake pads (generic black jobs) etc.

 

[Dave5N]

A colleague has just bought a Focus Mares cross from Wiggle. It's got Tektro mini V brakes. In terms of stopping power and general positive feel they are better than the Avid shorty cantis on my bike. I was quite impressed with them (the levers on the bar tops worked much better than I was expecting too). We have similar levers, brake pads (generic black jobs) etc.

Be interesting to know how they cope with mud and straw

 

[palinurus]

It did occur to me. I should find out next season, he's in the same club.

I've just replaced my pads with KoolStops (in a fetching yellow), first impressions are there has been some improvement. While I felt the mini Vs had more leverage in practice I find my canti brakes adequate.

 

[palinurus]

I was searching for something and found this thread. I have the answer now- they don't cope very well with mud and straw. He'll have to fit some cantis before the next muddy one. The 2010 model has cantis.