Bicycle Mechanics - Brakes/Specialized hard rock Frame

05-12-02

Hi,

I am looking to replace stock altus cantilever brakes br-ct90-m ,s.
Any suggestions? I am on a budget but not stupidly so! (I can,t afford campy or dura ace class but something a little less pricey is cool. I am converting the hard rock to an expedition tourer (fully loaded) so I need mountain braking power with a load. Can v-brakes work on this frame? Thanks for any help!

J. Michael

How old is your HardRock? Mine came with V-brakes. I think the question is whether your frame has the mounts available for V-brakes. If you don't have a boss on each seat stay, mounting a v-brake may require some creativity. If you have bosses for a rear rack one side of them might be used for a V-brake.

Originally posted by Jean Beetham Smith
How old is your HardRock? Mine came with V-brakes. I think the question is whether your frame has the mounts available for V-brakes. If you don't have a boss on each seat stay, mounting a v-brake may require some creativity. If you have bosses for a rear rack one side of them might be used for a V-brake.

Heyyyy, look at Jean stepping up to the mechanic's plate. Cool! Good info, Jean. I appreciated the detail.

The studs for linear-pull brakes (Shimano's brand name is 'V-brake') are the same as for cantilevers, so you can retrofit them on the fork and frame. However, they require more cable pull and less leverage than cantis so you will either need new brake levers or a gadget called a 'Travel Agent' which allows you to use your old levers. If you are using drop bars and road bike brake levers then you will have to use a 'Travel Agent' or stick with cantilevers.

2 things to keep in mind:

1) Dura-Ace is only for ROAD bikes. Dura-Ace brakes are only caliper style, and will not work on an ATB. If you go into a store looking for D/A brakes, they will only laugh at you.

2) V-brakes offer essentially zero adjustability. If they end up being too grabby, you are stuck. Cantilevers offer much more versatility. If you don't have a cross-wire and hanger setup on your cantilevers, I'd suggest that you convert to that type. It would only cost a few $$, and will offer almost unlimited setup options.

Originally posted by D*Alex
... Cantilevers offer much more versatility. If you don't have a cross-wire and hanger setup on your cantilevers, I'd suggest that you convert to that type. ...

I agree -- by varying the length of the straddle cable, you can adjust your brake system leverage as desired. The big problem is that most people, and even some shops, do not know how to adjust straddle cable length. (It's a simple statics problem.)

05-12-02



Thanks for the replies guys....I got a few good ideas to try...I may go with the cantilevers if I can find a suitable upgrade.....anybody familiar with alvio or another suitable cantilever brake?....all I am seeing for sale new are the v-brakes..(at least at nashbar) I keep hearing of problems with the altus brakes...especially when wet....the downhillers hate them...also the front derailler..(an Acera) The basic bike and hubs and rims seem to be pretty sound. Anyway...thanks loads for your feedback...particularly about the adjustability problem...I can see where that might be of concern in the middle of Utah with a badly damaged rim trying to limp it in somewhere!

SCROADKILL

nashbar has shimano stx cantilever brakes on closeout for $15 a piece. These are definitely an upgrade from the altus brakes.

What type of handlebar are you planning to use? Drops or ATB style?