Bicycle Mechanics - Giving Up

After much trial and error, I've decided to give up the whole idea of putting V brakes on my Cross Check. I thought I had a fix but, after yesterday's ride (my first on this bike), I was getting horrible squeeling and grinding. I removed the wheels to sand down the brake pads and run steel wool over the burrs on the braking surface of the rim. The tolerances of the pad/rim spacing were so tight that it was impossible to re-install the wheels without one or the other pad rubbing. I could foresee having to re-adjust the brakes everytime I changed a flat or the wheel came slightly out of true. Too much of a headache and too unreliable. So, I removed the brakes and ordered some cantis from cambriabikes.com, hopefully this will be the end of this headache. No riding this weekend and maybe only a couple of days commuting next week.

I had the same problem with my v's, tight tolerance and squeels. I put on a pair of Paul's neo retros and they have been working great. I can remove my wheels without letting the air out the tires and they actually stop the bike!

Nice, I just ordered a set of Avid's Shorty 6. I don't have fond memories of canitlever brakes on old bikes, but these look ok. I'll just be happy to have a set of trouble free brakes with moderate stopping power.

After much trial and error, I've decided to give up the whole idea of putting V brakes on my Cross Check. I thought I had a fix but, after yesterday's ride (my first on this bike), I was getting horrible squeeling and grinding. I removed the wheels to sand down the brake pads and run steel wool over the burrs on the braking surface of the rim. The tolerances of the pad/rim spacing were so tight that it was impossible to re-install the wheels without one or the other pad rubbing. I could foresee having to re-adjust the brakes everytime I changed a flat or the wheel came slightly out of true. Too much of a headache and too unreliable. So, I removed the brakes and ordered some cantis from cambriabikes.com, hopefully this will be the end of this headache. No riding this weekend and maybe only a couple of days commuting next week.

there's a quick release on the brake caliper that you use to move the pads farther away when changing wheels. it is on the top right, if I'm not mistaken. the metal noodle comes out of the metal rectangle-looking thing. One reason that your V's might have been screwed up is that you are not supposed to use them with regular road levers. V-brakes need more cable pull in the lever then canti's do. so if you were using STIs or road levers without using a travel agent, then you would have to set the pads rediculously close to the rims.

instead of canti's, you could hve bought a travel agent. but canti's will probably work better then a rigged up V-brake.

Yea, I tried the travel agents too, no luck. I have a set of Dia Compe 287's, they're road levers made specifically for v brakes. We finally got them to work, technically, but just barely, and it did seem like a rig. I just wouldn't trust them to be reliable. I know about the quick release, the thing is that you have to move the arms in so close that your pad/rim clearance ends up being a millimeter or less. Not much room for error. So when a wheel has to come out, it's really difficult to return them exactly to their previous position.

Yea, I tried the travel agents too, no luck. I have a set of Dia Compe 287's, they're road levers made specifically for v brakes. We finally got them to work, technically, but just barely, and it did seem like a rig. I just wouldn't trust them to be reliable. I know about the quick release, the thing is that you have to move the arms in so close that your pad/rim clearance ends up being a millimeter or less. Not much room for error. So when a wheel has to come out, it's really difficult to return them exactly to their previous position.

What didn't you like about the travel agents? I've been using them with tandems for years and have been satisfied. I have wondered about the 287's for a while, but have been unwilling to give up my STI to try them. Actually, if I were going to give up STI, I think that I would use Magura hydraulic rim brakes. I have them on my mountain bike and they are my favorite brakes.

Anyone out there ever tried using 287-V levers with cantis??? Just curious....

Anyone out there ever tried using 287-V levers with cantis??? Just curious....


I'm about to install some Avid Shorty 6's with the 287 v levers. Everyone says it should be a great combination-I'll let you know.