V-brakes

[Threein4]

Do V-brakes work well with STI shifters? I just bought my first cyclocross bike and it has cantis that I am not happy with. The rear does an acceptable job but I tend to use the front brake alot more on my bikes and it doesn't seem to have enough stopping power. It also makes a very loud sqeeking nose and is not very smooth at all.
Thanks for the help.

[roadfix]

No, STI levers do not have enough pull. ....unless you use a little gizmo like the 'travel agent' which increases the cable pull.
Use this with your new V-brakes:
http://www.gearshark.com/finder/details/Alloy-Accents-Travel-Agent/details/Alloy-Accents-Travel-Agent/8002.html?no_f

George

[Kev]

If you want more power you might want to look at spooky brakes, or frogleggs they offer more stopping power but are harder to setup. Even with travel agents v-brakes don't work that great with STI levers.

[roadfix]

I agree with Kev. I replaced the cantis on my tandem once with V-brakes using the travel agents. No improvement. Froglegs or even the really old Shimano frogleg cantis offer so much more stopping power.

George

[Grampy™]

It really sounds as if your front brake is not set up right. You might check clearances and "toe in" on your pads.

[OKC_cross]

The device required in order to use v-brakes with STI levers is a pain to set up and a dirt magnet. I tried it a couple of years ago and I had nothing but problems with the performance. Get some avids, they are a breeze to adjust your left-right rim clearance fields and are not that expensive. Shorty 4s for low budget and the Shorty TIs for all out.

[TaiwanTim]

I have Avid 5 Vbrakes w/ the pully adapters (front and rear) on my GT ZRX cx bike. The pully system was tricky at first but my LBS owner/mechanic modified them to install/remove much more easily. The braking power is incredible and my bike will stop on a dime. They work better than the stock cants that came w/ the bike. I have also added on the Tektro top mount brake levers and love them. Braking is still amazing and they work perfectly w/ the my 105 STI dual control levers.

[BlastRadius]

Speaking of V-Brakes... has anyone tried the Tektro Mini-V Brakes? I've only seen CX bikes on Ebay with them but have not heard from anyone on their performance.

[Grampy™]

Give the new 2004 Shimano Cantilever brakes a try. They are made to use with STI. I've been using them for about a month, plenty of stopping power.