Bicycle Mechanics - Any reason NOT to get these brakes?

I just got my mtb frame powdercoated (goodbye purple, hello green!) and I'm gearing up to replace all the components I stripped off (I may be calling alot for advice...) and I was thinking I should perhaps replace the ole cantilever brakes. I have a set of new brake levers and the brakes are ten years old and have pulled a trailer quite a bit so... time to move over. Since I'm being budget conscious, I was looking at a set of Tektros from Nashbar

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=69&subcategory=1013&brand=&sku=8037&storetype=&estoreid=

These are $14.95, the cheapest I could find, but would I be ill-advised to get them? I'm just looking for a decent pair of brakes that would work for basic commuting (including some more trailer pulling) for years to come. Any reasons NOT to get these and, if so ,any good recommendations for other brakes I should consider?

--Chris

Decent cantilever and V brakes start around $12 and go up from there. I'm sure the ones you linked to are good enough. One thing with that particular set, it's hard to see if there's adjustment screw for centering.

Yes update to V brakes. (www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=69&subcategory=1013&brand=&sku=2443&storetype=&estoreid) I've never liked centerpulls as you can't pull as much power out of them as easily as you can a decent set of V-brakes. IMHO
You have the correct bosses just get the levers to go with them (an almost absolute must) and you'll be set.
This is a common switch at my shop so I am speaking from experience (as well as a lack of sleep)

i second upgrading to v's.

I've been wondering about changing to V brakes. I guess I'd have to saw off the brake levers on my current shifter/lever units and add the special V levers. I've heard of that being done. Is there any problem routing the rear (or front)cables since they would now enter the noodle a little off center whereas before they went straight down from the cable hanger?

Also, if I do stick with cantis, I've noticed that most are advertised for cyclocross or tandem bikes and point out that they're for use with road levers. Would they still work on my mtb and the levers I've been using? (Shimano Altus)?

--Chris

Hey Raiyn,
Thanks for shopping for my new brakes! So, you're saying for $30 plus shipping I could get into V brakes. How come those levers at Nashbar will work for V AND Canti brakes but my old levers won't work for V's?

--Chris

Hey Raiyn,
Thanks for shopping for my new brakes! So, you're saying for $30 plus shipping I could get into V brakes. How come those levers at Nashbar will work for V AND Canti brakes but my old levers won't work for V's?

--Chris
Simple they pull enough cable to operate V-brakes and you can set canti's loose enough to compensate for the extra draw. Cant levers don't pull enough cable to work V's without setting the pads ridiculously close to the rim. Even then they'll feel mushy Don't saw the combo units up there are plenty of cheap shifter sets that will work. Are we talking seven speed or eight?
Also there is no cab;e routing issues Just don't use the center guides and use the appropriate housing length

V brakes are no more powerful than cantilevers. I find V brakes easier to route, as they usually need no cable hangers the way cantilevers do. If your frame came with cantilever brakes, then you already have the cable hangers anyway.

The only area where V brakes have a real advantage is that they have a narrower profile than cantilevers. Which may be useful, particularly in the rear, where they can get knocked around less by pedaling feet.

V brakes are no more powerful than cantilevers.
Bosh I've yet to find a centerpull that can stop me as well as a good V-brake.

V brakes are no more powerful than cantilevers.

sorry i beg to differ. the braking response of v's is worlds better than that of cantis.

V brakes are no more powerful than cantilevers.

for same amount of force you apply on the brake levers, the V-brake applies more force on the rim...

This is because the V-brakes have a longer moment arm as compared to the cantis..

So technically, for the same amount of work(rider), V-brakes has more stopping power..

Maby the stoping power is in perportion to your forarm size! ;)

I have never had a set of center pulls that I couldn't lock up the bike with. How much more force do you need? BTW, I think Vs are easier to adjust and keep adjusted, maby this is just me, and they do respond better to a light touch.

Well, we're talking 7 speed shifters. Circa 1992 Trek 930. Can I find rapidfire shifters alone, sans brake lever?

I'm learning a lot through this discussion. Thanks for all the info everyone.

--Chris

Actually the thing to do when upgrading to Vee brakes with integrated shifter/lever cantilever combo's is to use a little device added to the left caliper arm that increases the amount of cable pull so you CAN use your existing levers with Vee calipers. They're called "problem solvers" or "brake boosters". Here's a link: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=69&subcategory=1015&brand=&sku=3200&storetype=&estoreid=

L8R

BTW, I think Vs are easier to adjust and keep adjusted, maby this is just me, and they do respond better to a light touch.

Count me in on ease of adjustment. On a related note, can anyone tell me what is the point in integrating brake levers to shifters anyway?

--J

Saves weight!

L8R

can anyone tell me what is the point in integrating brake levers to shifters anyway?

Yea, when your shifter stops working, because of some tiny part, you will have to buy the brake lever with it! :D

First of all, cantilever brakes are not the same as center pulls.

Second of all, cantis are every bit as "powerful" as V brakes, as can be attested by their use on tandems long before mtbs came on the scene. Anyone who finds cantis not "powerful" enough to lock up a wheel, probably doesn't know how to adjust them. It is quite possible to set up a canti so that it is too powerful.

Of course, power isn't the only factor when considering brakes. Modulation is also important. I know of no inherent differences between the two types in this department.

Regarding adjustment, I find cantis and V brakes equally easy to adjust as long as they have those little adjustment screws (and some don't!). If anything, it seems V brakes may have less adjustment options than cantis, as mechanical advantage on a canti is easily varied by tweaking the yoke cable length. All V brakes I've seen seem to have fixed mechanical advantage. Perhaps it can be varied by swapping levers.

In the end, cantilevers and V brakes have equal stopping ability.

One thing about installing a V brake on the rear. Some frames do not have a stop, the cable is routed through a brazed on noodle. If you have this frame type you will need to do one of a couple of things: There are cable stops that "hang" from the seat binder, or you can run housing all the way and ziptie it to the frame(This is the easiest, but clumsy looking) and sometimes you can get a housing end for a italian der stay stop. This end has a tit on it that will usually fit into the noodle at the seat tube. and make a stop.

I would imagine integrating the brakes and the shift levers,is for, on a mountian bike, making it cheaper, fewer parts. On a road bike it makes it so you don't have to take your hands off the bars to shift. On a road bike the integrated sets are heavier than seperate brake levers and downtube shifters, over a half pound, I think.