Mountain Biking - V-Brake upgrade

Looking to swap out some cantilevers for a newer set of V-brakes. Are Avids that much better than Shimano? Also, how well do the Avid Speed Dial levers work?

Tim

Avids are that much better than Shimanos. The higher end Shimanos with the parallel linkage thingey squeals a lot in practice. I have they can get quite loud - I've never used it, but have heard it in use.

The Avids are a little lighter also, and their stock pads are better. As for the Avid levers, they feel great and work great, but I have never tried Shimano levers so I can't compare. Avids are the way to go. Also the Avid levers are generally lighter for, but they do cost a little more. I think I've seen Deore levers for $12 on Nashbar.

Funny, my XT's don't "squeal". But they stop real well. Can't comment on the Avids, don't have them.

Funny, my XT's don't "squeal".

Good installation.

Avids stop just as well, or better, depending on what you plan on getting. I've felt XTRs before and they seem to have a little more modulation, then my Avid SD SLs, but then I have my Speed Dial levers dialed to no modulation at all.

Avids are that much better than Shimanos.

Lets say that't true. For a non competitive bike, which Avid brakes are a good choice? The Single Digit look nice. I've been told they are the same arms for all models. The only difference is the finish, pads and hardware. The Single 7 has removable pad holders while the 3 and 5 don't.

Tim

Funny, my XT's don't "squeal". But they stop real well. Can't comment on the Avids, don't have them.

Neither do the LX V's on my rig.

I've got SD7's, they are great v brakes. I'd rate them as marginally better than the LX on my wifes bike and the Deore with pad upgrade on my beater singlespeed.

I am kind of disappointed with the amount of slop that has developed in my SD7 levers after 1.5 seasons of use. The Deore levers on my beater seem to be holding up better.

I've got Avid Arch Supremes, and they are good brakes, unless it's real wet. Then I wish I had discs. Got the Speed dial levers from '99 too.

Pads make a big difference. I have some Tektros and the original pads sucked. Too dry. Swapped them out for Kool Stop red and they work perfectly. Then, just because I have them, I swapped the perfectly fine Tektro's out for XT V's. The XT's work marginally better.

Keep in mind that if you swap cantis for V's, the canti stops on your frame will just become decorative. Kind of a bummer.

Unless you're dead set on V's, I'd try out some Kool Stop pads first. I think you'll be surprised. Oh, and you need to keep your pads clean too. If you hear scraping, get home and clean out the pads.

i had some sd 5's on my last bike and now i've got bb5s. i liked the sd5s b/c they were better than the cantilevers i had on my bike as a kid, but i'm guessing you aren't looking for discs. Just get something like an sd5 and upgrade the pads. One of my friends i ride with has lx brakes and they are loud no matter what and they kind of suck at stopping.

I found Shimano Ok. Honestly I never tired avid before. I found Shimano XTR 952 and 960 both great!

Up until recently I had Avid Single Didget rear and XTR front. I would go with whatever is available or on sale or whatever, I didn't think there was all that much difference between the two. Perhaps I'm not very perceptive though.