Why do V brakes have three tension settings?

[ClichéGuevara]

I just put it on the tightest one from the off, am I risking damage or something but not bothering with the medium or low?

I can only think the lower ones help the spring live longer.

 

[John the Monkey]

My LBS recommends starting with the medium - if that doesn't provide enough resistance to move the brake arms back after applying the brake, then go higher.

I'm not sure about spring life, but they told me the springs are hard, if not impossible, to get as spares - so don't put them under larger stress than you need to.

 

[ColinJ]

I never messed with them, but I wonder if it was because manufacturers were worried about riders locking their front wheels and going over the bars?

If so, that would suggest that there is scope for increasing braking response by adjusting the levers? (Not that I have v-brakes on any of my current bikes.)

 

[MacB]

also accommodates different rim widths

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I think they are there to allow for different spring tensions used by different manufacturers. Might be wrong though.

I have TRP CX9's and the instructions specify the use of the middle hole.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Cheers folks. I appreciate the replies. I've some finishing off to do on it anyway, so I'll try it on the easiest setting and work up to the others if they seem to be needed.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd start off in the middle hole, but its good to have that extra adjustment facility built in.

 

[Tom B]

I thought it was to accommodate differing sping tensions or lazy springs in a pair causing one to pull the other around and cause binding.

 

[raleighnut]

I thought it was to accommodate differing sping tensions or lazy springs in a pair causing one to pull the other around and cause binding.

It is