Touring - V-brakes with STI levers

I was just wondering whether anyone had fitted V-brakes to a bike with STI levers. The mechanic at my LBS is telling me it can't or at least shouldn't be done. According to him Shimano say the result would be very spongy. As I understand it, the new Trek 520's have V-brakes, but I'm told there's a big difference between the effectiveness of the levers on those as they have bar end shifters and STI levers as they have all the STI gear in behind the lever further resticting the cable movement. My current cantilever brakes at the moment would not stop the bike loaded on a serious descent, mainly because the front brake is ineffective. I've looked at changing pads, but there are virtually no brake pads made for cantilever brakes anymore. Any advice? I'm getting desperate as it's 3 weeks before I leave to go touring in France!

I was just wondering whether anyone had fitted V-brakes to a bike with STI levers. The mechanic at my LBS is telling me it can't or at least shouldn't be done. According to him Shimano say the result would be very spongy. As I understand it, the new Trek 520's have V-brakes, but I'm told there's a big difference between the effectiveness of the levers on those as they have bar end shifters and STI levers as they have all the STI gear in behind the lever further resticting the cable movement. My current cantilever brakes at the moment would not stop the bike loaded on a serious descent, mainly because the front brake is ineffective. I've looked at changing pads, but there are virtually no brake pads made for cantilever brakes anymore. Any advice? I'm getting desperate as it's 3 weeks before I leave to go touring in France!

My Bike Friday (http://www.bikefriday.com) Air Glide has drop bars, Shimano Ultegra STI levers, and V brakes. There is an extra part in the brakes to help set them up for use with STI levers, but I have't a clue what it's called. The brakes work well, as do the STI levers. You can see a picture of my bike here (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/page/pic/?opts=300&pic_id=2835&size=large).

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www.denisegoldberg.com (http://www.denisegoldberg.com)

You'll need a doodad sometimes referred to as a Travel Agent... see here:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=3200
or here:
http://www.phred.org/~alex/bikes/brakes.html

The Trek uses Dia-Compe 287-V levers, which are specially designed for linear-pull brakes.

-chris

My 99 Cannondale Cyclocross is running 105 STI's with V-Brakes. And yes it has those travel agent thingies.

Thanks for the feedback. Decided to look closer at the brake pads last night. I'd adjusted them before without success, but what I was more interested in was the different sound the front brakes made, so I took the pads off and inspected them. I was shocked to find what appeared to be metal pieces/filings impregnated in the rubber of the pads (only on the front). So I took it to my LBS and replaced the pads with new, different, ones. Now I get decent braking, so I'll put off any plans to change them. How the pads got that way is another question... I only hope they haven't damaged the rims too much!

I have 105 STI with Avid V-brakes. Originally I used a travel agent (see Performance catalog) to better match the travel range of the levers to the brake. The travel agent makes the brakes feel spongy. I removed it on the front and got much better braking. I left it on the rear because there's almost too much rear braking. I can easily lift the rear wheel off the ground with the front brake if I choose too. I'm very pleased with the result.

You do need a well aligned front wheel and have your brake shoes very close to the rim to do without a travel agent. However, it's still relatively easy to unhook the noodle to remove the front wheel which I do often to attach the bike to a bike carrier.

Al