Mountain Biking - More Brake Power needed.

Hey all, got an 05 base Rockhopper with the combined brake/shifter. I am over 215lbs and as I am starting to ride faster and harder I am wishing for some stronger brakes. Will an upgrade in just the v-brakes themselves to an avid single digit 7 or sram 9.0 give a lot of benefit if I use the combined shifter/brake levers or will I need to get a new set of shifters and brake handles to get real benefit? I do not have disc ready wheels. Thanks.

You won't see a whole lot of a difference by just switching v-brakes.

Since you have combined shifters and levers you could always go to avid cable pull disc brakes. That will give you improved braking and save you some money since you can keep your current levers/shifters. The wheelset will still have to be upgraded though.

I just installed the Avid BB7 cable pull disc brakes on my bike. I haven't had a chance to ride on the trails yet, but just riding in the neighborhood, the brakes feel strong. A lot stronger than the CODA Expert disc brakes that were on there.

Agreed, there are plenty people happy with their Avid BB7's including myself. Especially if you dont mind the weight penalty.

Hey all, got an 05 base Rockhopper with the combined brake/shifter. I am over 215lbs and as I am starting to ride faster and harder I am wishing for some stronger brakes. Will an upgrade in just the v-brakes themselves to an avid single digit 7 or sram 9.0 give a lot of benefit if I use the combined shifter/brake levers or will I need to get a new set of shifters and brake handles to get real benefit? I do not have disc ready wheels. Thanks.
Check out the cables for free movement and lubricate or change as required. The brake blocks will have got a glaze on them so a bit of sandpaper or a file across them to clean them up works a treat. Before you do that though, look at the blocks to see if all the block is acting on the rim and adjust the brakes if not. Finally and not to be recommended for constant use- Take the glaze off the rims with sandpaper again, or as we have in the UK Wet and Dry paper using just water.
ALL "V" brakes work well, even the cheap ones if that is what is fitted to your bike. Badly set up brakes or maintained ones don't. Then there is the option of fitting an aftermarket block to your brakes, but that will now give you 500 choices as everyone has their own specific one that works and all others are crap. I just use the standard Shimano block and never have any problems.

Thanks for the advice. I try to keep them tuned up as best I can. I really do not want to fork out $150-300 dollars for disc ready wheels and a disc system, might as well save it up for another bike next year. I am just starting to learn what I like and don't like anyway so no reason to rush it. Besides, thats why I wear a helmet. :D

Are there larger pads available for v-brakes? Would that help?


Brakes are a waste, they only slow you down. :D

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

Hey all, got an 05 base Rockhopper with the combined brake/shifter. I am over 215lbs and as I am starting to ride faster and harder I am wishing for some stronger brakes. Will an upgrade in just the v-brakes themselves to an avid single digit 7 or sram 9.0 give a lot of benefit if I use the combined shifter/brake levers or will I need to get a new set of shifters and brake handles to get real benefit? I do not have disc ready wheels. Thanks.

My bike came with the combined shifters and levers also, with Hayes MX1 Mechanical disc brakes and my brakes work great with those levers.

You could get a set of these H33 (http://www.magurausa.com/mountainbike/discbrakes/hs33.html) Then you only need to get new shifters. They offer a lot more power then V's. I ran an older version for 8 years racing DH and I was 250lbs at the time and they had no problem slowing me down or stopping.

Other then those you will need to get discs to see a major differance in power.

:beer:

You could get a set of these H33 (http://www.magurausa.com/mountainbike/discbrakes/hs33.html) Then you only need to get new shifters. They offer a lot more power then V's. I ran an older version for 8 years racing DH and I was 250lbs at the time and they had no problem slowing me down or stopping.

Other then those you will need to get discs to see a major differance in power.

:beer:

Those are cool! Anybody know how much? Just curious. :o

Go mechanical disc.

Yeah but with mechanical disc I need a new wheel and at this point I figure every dollar I don't spend is a dollar better spent down the line. Brakes are uber important obviously, except for outdoorboy. If the only way to see a real improvement is to go disk then I need a wheel, or set, starts to add up quick. I am not cheap, I just hate to throw money at a problem if there is a better way.

Those hydrolic v brakes are pretty cool though, thanks for the link.

I'm in the same position as you...I want better braking but I don't want to spend $300-$400 (CDN) for the disc / wheel upgrade. Right now I have Avid Single Digit 3 that came with the bike.

The reviews of Avid Single Digit 7 on mtbr.com are universally glowing. A lot of people write that you get almost disc like performance, except in muddy or wet conditions. For $25 each on pricepoint.com they're a lot cheaper than discs and I'm sure will be much better than what I currently have.

I was lookng at the same reviews and was wondering the same thing about the avid 7's. I was almost hoping that the tree I just slammed into didn't just spin my brake shifter but broke it. Talk about taking the wrong line, I hit the brakes for an instant then just made sure I got both hands on the tree. Oh well, I might pick up something off of ebay, anyone have any advice on that?

though they are spendy the paul component v brakes have about twice the power of avid SD7's and are far nicer. though they cost 230.00 a very good upgrade one that helped me mout.

I'm in the same position as you...I want better braking but I don't want to spend $300-$400 (CDN) for the disc / wheel upgrade. Right now I have Avid Single Digit 3 that came with the bike.

The reviews of Avid Single Digit 7 on mtbr.com are universally glowing. A lot of people write that you get almost disc like performance, except in muddy or wet conditions. For $25 each on pricepoint.com they're a lot cheaper than discs and I'm sure will be much better than what I currently have.
then there are people like me who thought they sucked as they never stayed centered. myself I only saw a small improvement over the cheap shimano's that came on my bike. now the pauls v brakes were twice the power of the ASD7 and quite a bit mroe in cost though.

buy a *****in wheelset and break set that you can transfer to a new bike down the road.

Knowing what the right thing to do is not the hard part, doing it is. I know I should just fork out $300 to get a decent set of wheels and brakes, but I have a hard time justifying that cost. I have found that I can usually get 70-90% of the performance with 10-30% percent of the cost if I gnore the hype and I am willing to put in a little leg work. JMHO. Besides, my ears would stop bleeding before my wife stopped *****ing about it.
Beside, thats what the point of this thread was, a good improvement without buying a new wheelset and matching brakes.

Those are cool! Anybody know how much? Just curious. :o

The Magura H33's will run ya about 220$ for the set.

:beer:

Well, I think I am going to look into building my own wheels. If I learn something while getting a better setup for disc brakes then I can accept the cost. That way I will not only have disc ready wheels but I will know how to do more of my own work.

Hey all, got an 05 base Rockhopper with the combined brake/shifter. I am over 215lbs and as I am starting to ride faster and harder I am wishing for some stronger brakes. Will an upgrade in just the v-brakes themselves to an avid single digit 7 or sram 9.0 give a lot of benefit if I use the combined shifter/brake levers or will I need to get a new set of shifters and brake handles to get real benefit? I do not have disc ready wheels. Thanks.
Dont bother changing V brake for V brake, get the convesion kit so you can put disc brakes on, it costs approx 100 quid for kit

Just set your brakes up properly, and spend a tenner on some new pads and cables. No offence, but you don't need discs. Just set up the brakes you have now properly.

Are there larger pads available for v-brakes? Would that help?.

Most pads i've found on V-s were stubby and low quality.

http://www.jagwireusa.com/switchback.html Best made.

Who's the guy who's making a bike with 4 sets of brakes? 2 disc and 2 v-brakes?
What he needs is an endo button. One press and it locks up the front wheel.

All v-brakes are NOT the same, and yes, you would notice a difference getting a quality set of v-brakes. If you are riding downhill for EXTENDED distances or ride in primarily sloppy conditions then yes, disc is the way to go. However, a decent set of v-brakes setup properly can offer outstanding stopping power.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=120415

I have nothing at ALL against disc brakes but personally feel that 80% of the riders that have them don't need them. More than you'd think have them for "coolness" value rather than braking power. There's nothing wrong with buying them for that reason but if money is tight or you're trying to spend as little as possible it simply doesn't make sense to drop $140 on brakes when your riding conditions doesn't merit it.

Just my $.02.

I agree with Gorsar. You can get great performance with V brakes. There is a set of Avid SD7 with SD7 levers on sale at pricepoint right now for around $70. I have a SD7 on the front of 1 bike and an Avid BB7 on the front of the other bike. With standard padsin both brakes, the Disc brake has more power, though I have read that kool stop pads will increase the power of the V brakes. The SD7 brake has much more power than the Truvativs that they replaced.

If you want to up your braking power and don't want to go disc you should try a set of these
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11084-040_AVDA51-3-Parts-159-Brakes/V-Brakes/Avid-Arch-Rival-Brake.htm
They're no substitute for a set of Avid BB7's but they do have a bit more oomph

I've got the Avid SD7's on my Rockhopper. I didn't like the stock brakes from the beginning, so I ordered the SD7's from Pricepoint within days of buying the bike. I didn't know what gains I would expect (if any). I really wasn't sure if I NEEDED disc brakes for the riding I do, so I started with the cheap route. At worst, I would try them out, decide I need discs, and be out $50.. or try and sell them on Ebay. Overall, I was pretty impressed with the Avids. I ride mainly XC, and found that this upgrade was good enough for me. Now, if I rode downhill a lot or in adverse conditions.. I would have gotten the Avid discs from the beginning. I still wouldn't mind doing a disc upgrade, but I just keep telling myself that this is all I need. ;)

All v-brakes are NOT the same, and yes, you would notice a difference getting a quality set of v-brakes. If you are riding downhill for EXTENDED distances or ride in primarily sloppy conditions then yes, disc is the way to go. However, a decent set of v-brakes setup properly can offer outstanding stopping power.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=120415

I have nothing at ALL against disc brakes but personally feel that 80% of the riders that have them don't need them. More than you'd think have them for "coolness" value rather than braking power. There's nothing wrong with buying them for that reason but if money is tight or you're trying to spend as little as possible it simply doesn't make sense to drop $140 on brakes when your riding conditions doesn't merit it.

Just my $.02.

You absolutely rule. I was on the verge of purchasing front disc brakes + a new wheel set that is rim brake as well as disc brake capable within the next 2 or 3 days.

I was just sitting here after reading your response and thought, wow Roasted, you're a dumb a*s. Why?

Well, v-brakes work GREAT on my bike but I wanted something more powerful just in case I ever came barreling down a hill and a tree jumped in front of me. Oh wait, I've gone on one bike trail in the past 3 months and it was for 2 miles. On top of that, even if I'm in water my brakes are very responsive. Plus, my bike is a 300 dollar bike. Why put 170 dollars worth of wheels + brakes on a bike who's wheels and brakes are already past my expectations?

Now I have a new dilemma. Shall I buy the Pioneer 4700mp or the Pioneer 6700mp for my car? My Pioneer DEH-1500 is getting boring and I need something with a higher voltage preout than what I have. :D :D :D :D

You absolutely rule. I was on the verge of purchasing front disc brakes + a new wheel set that is rim brake as well as disc brake capable within the next 2 or 3 days.

I was just sitting here after reading your response and thought, wow Roasted, you're a dumb a*s. Why?

Well, v-brakes work GREAT on my bike but I wanted something more powerful just in case I ever came barreling down a hill and a tree jumped in front of me. Oh wait, I've gone on one bike trail in the past 3 months and it was for 2 miles. On top of that, even if I'm in water my brakes are very responsive. Plus, my bike is a 300 dollar bike. Why put 170 dollars worth of wheels + brakes on a bike who's wheels and brakes are already past my expectations?

Now I have a new dilemma. Shall I buy the Pioneer 4700mp or the Pioneer 6700mp for my car? My Pioneer DEH-1500 is getting boring and I need something with a higher voltage preout than what I have. :D :D :D :D

Glad it helped. And you need higher voltage preouts? Why not just get an amp with less a less sensitive line input and really crank it up? :)

Glad it helped. And you need higher voltage preouts? Why not just get an amp with less a less sensitive line input and really crank it up? :)

My amp is made by Tsunami. It is no longer produced despite the fact it is a rather amazing amp. I won't let go of it, and my bank account wouldn't allow it to begin with. Plus the preouts on my current head unit blew out, I'm using a line output converter to make up for that. It's one of those things that I'm really bored of it, for the setup I have it's very basic, and plus my gf's other one just died and she's dying for the one I have since all she needs is something to put a CD into. :D

I'd much rather just get a nice head unit with some 4v preouts while I'm shopping around...

Thanks for the advice. I try to keep them tuned up as best I can. I really do not want to fork out $150-300 dollars for disc ready wheels and a disc system, might as well save it up for another bike next year. I am just starting to learn what I like and don't like anyway so no reason to rush it. Besides, thats why I wear a helmet. :D

I got a set of Sun DS-2 disc ready rims with Shimano Deore525 hubs at JensonUSA for under$100 regular price. they still have them too. when I got them I was 220lbs and only had to true them once. that was when I took them out the box. they are light,cheap and for me have been very durable. I have over 2k offroad miles on them* be warned they are not rims for jumping bigger than 3'*

I got a set of Sun DS-2 disc ready rims with Shimano Deore525 hubs at JensonUSA for under$100 regular price. they still have them too. when I got them I was 220lbs and only had to true them once. that was when I took them out the box. they are light,cheap and for me have been very durable. I have over 2k offroad miles on them* be warned they are not rims for jumping bigger than 3'*
It rather pay the $20 more and get Rhynolites on XT
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/12012-365_SHIXS3-3-Parts-75-Wheelsets/Shimano-XT-M756-Disc-Wheelset-w_-Sun-Rhyno-Lite-Rims.htm

Well that begs the other question, if after looking at the available wheel sets out there, and not wanting to build my own and need them right away(in case I screw them up) what is the consensus best under $170? There are a lot of ShimanoXT mixes. XT + Rhynolite XL for $169 : XT + Mavic 717 or Mavic 223 $159: XT + Sun Singletrack $145 : XT + Mavic's XM321 $113 : or if I want sealed bearings for $229 there is a Sun / Ringle rhynolite. This is partially why I did not want to make the switch.
And that does not even include the XT+Rhynolite $100 deal.

It be confusing man.

Go with the link I provided you with. I bought mine there over 2 years ago and I've had no issues

ya go with the Rhynolite my friend used one on his old trials bike and never had a problem

It rather pay the $20 more and get Rhynolites on XT
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/12012-365_SHIXS3-3-Parts-75-Wheelsets/Shimano-XT-M756-Disc-Wheelset-w_-Sun-Rhyno-Lite-Rims.htm


JensonUSA has the Sun Rhyno lite on Deore 525 disc hubs for $89 IN STOCK

JensonUSA has the Sun Rhyno lite on Deore 525 disc hubs for $89 IN STOCK
I'd rather buy from Pricepoint (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/12001-365_SHIDD2-3-Parts-75-Wheelsets/Shimano-Deore-Disc-Wheelset-w_-Sun-Rhyno-Lite-Rims.htm)

>Lowest Price Guarantee

“Where Price Is The Point” Guarantee: At Price Point, We Will Not Be Undersold. We will match any nationally advertised price on any product we sell. Just give us the details and we'll do the rest. For online orders: Type the price-match information and the competitor’s URL or ad, where you saw the lower price in the “optional order comments” box at the end of your order. We will contact you if we have any questions.

If you have already submitted your order contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 774-2376, extension 400, between the hours of 8a.m. and 5p.m. (PST) Monday through Friday, or e-mail custservice@pricepoint.com and they will gladly help you.

Note: We will gladly match our competitors’ prices as long as the exact item is in stock and the price still holds. This does not include items that are on sale, clearance, or blowouts.

Our low price guarantee extends up to 30 days from the date of your purchase. Let us know the name of the competitor, what they're selling it for, exact product size/color, and we will take it from there.
I'm quite sure they'll match a $5 difference :lol: Oh and they have them in stock as well

I am going to throw my bit in also.
I am not a bike mechanic and I don't want to be a bike mechanic.
I beleive in "To each their own"
When I work on brakes they never are "good as new"
I take them to the local bike shop, that I trust, and they do some magical chant and the brakes turn out like new. All sorts of power.
These guys have been playing with brakes 5, 10, 20, or so years.
I find the more simple a device is, the harder it is to fix.
I usually end up wishing for disks and then take the bike to the LBS and find that I dont need disks.
I find this year (After my Brodie was stolen last year) that my wifes haro with proper setup v- brakes feel better going downhill, and I have more control.
The mechanical disks on my Brodie didn't have the modulation or feel I can get with the V's. I would sometimes glance down at the front tire to know if it was still turning or locked up.
When I do get another bike I am going to do my homework and get disks that I can feel on the very steep downhills.
The only thing I dont like about my V's is wet weather performance.
Week and a half I went out with 7 others on a 2 day ride of 10 hours the first day in the rain and 12 hours the second day. Lots of hills and thrills covering 2 different ski resorts. The 2 of us that had the V's had problems with the last downhill at 9:15 at nite because the brakes were mush. The disks were still running strong.
The bike is in the shop now gettin all new brakes by the pros.
I was thinking of doing the work myself and learning to become a brake "expert" but I don' t have the time right now.
So I will leave my brake problems to the experts at the LBS and I will concentrate on fixing ships.
I realize that the problem I have not knowing how to set up brakes is not your problem. But I just put in my 2 cents because it was a recent realization to me last year.
To each their own.

I'd rather buy from Pricepoint (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/12001-365_SHIDD2-3-Parts-75-Wheelsets/Shimano-Deore-Disc-Wheelset-w_-Sun-Rhyno-Lite-Rims.htm)

I'm quite sure they'll match a $5 difference :lol: Oh and they have them in stock as well

I just bought a set from the LBS. They came out of true right away, but they're machine built, what do you expect.

I got the 36 spoke model. Nice weight, nice finish, they seem strong.

I just bought a set from the LBS. They came out of true right away, but they're machine built, what do you expect.

I got the 36 spoke model. Nice weight, nice finish, they seem strong.
I meant as opposed to Jenson
The one's I purchased from Pricepoint back in Dec 02 have only needed one minor touchup truing on the front wheel the entire time I've owned them

I got a set of Sun DS-2 disc ready rims with Shimano Deore525 hubs ..........they are light,cheap and for me have been very durable. *

Cheap and Durable? I could or would not dispute.

Light? Not so much

I just bought a set from the LBS. They came out of true right away, but they're machine built, what do you expect.

I got the 36 spoke model. Nice weight, nice finish, they seem strong.



a local bike shop is the BEST way to go.