Cyclocross - V-brakes to ???

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View Full Version : V-brakes to ???


bautieri
07-01-09, 09:59 AM
Hi all!

I'm new to CX and so far I really like my new tricross, however I have one minor complaint and that is the use of the V-brakes. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to take the front tire off every time I need to drive my bike somewhere, but I really find it a pain in the rear to fiddle with the tension adjuster (barrel thingy above the noodle) to get the brake open, then again to pull the slack out of the line before riding off.

I thought about going with Canti's but when I inquired about it at the bike shop I was informed that I would have the same issue with the amount of travel required to actuate the brake. This was a new guy and I almost called bologna on him because I see plenty of other bikes with canti's and STI flight decks.

Any opinions or suggestions on alternatives to the V's? I had the cross levers removed because they annoy me and take up room my lights and computer could better utilize, I don't know if perhaps they could pull more cable than the brifters but for the sake of talking they are unavailable.

Thanks!

Bau


flargle
07-01-09, 10:58 AM
IMO it's a design flaw to use direct pull brakes (even the short-armed ones that come with the Tricross) with road levers. The road levers just don't pull enough cable, so you end up having to set the brake pads too close to the rims.

A travel agent is a pretty decent workaround.

The guy at the shop is exactly wrong about cantilever brakes. Cantilevers require less cable pull than V brakes.

knobster
07-01-09, 11:05 AM
Exactly. The older model Tricross comes with Cantis and works fine with STI shifters. They don't stop nearly as well as the 105's on my Roubaix, but work well enough.


cs1
07-02-09, 09:17 AM
Tektro 720's are great brakes for a reasonable price.

flargle
07-02-09, 09:46 AM
tektro 720's are great brakes for a reasonable price.+1