fender1

I recently purchased a bike (Soma Double Cross) that came w/ Tektro Mini v's. I had intended to buy just the frame from an online retailer but it got complicated so I got the complete (Ebay)bike in my size with Ultegra 9 speed delivered for a little more than the price of the frame and fork only. I intend to use the bike as a 4 season commuter w/ full fenders, running 32mm tires in spring summer & fall and 35mm studded Nokian's in the winter. There is ample clearance for the tires and fenders. My question is regarding brakes and brake performance/ease of operation. It came w/ the tektro mini v's which I have never used.

I had purchased, in anticipation of a full build, a set ot Tektro Oryx Cantilever brakes. Other than potential fender clearance issues with the mini v's, can people who have used either style of brakes share thier opinions/ experiences? I have used dics brakes and caliper road brakes in the past. I have very little hands on experince with canti's or v's.

mayukawa

IMO I find it easier to properly set up V brakes than cantilevers. For cantilever brakes, you've to make sure you set them up so that a small vertical displacement translates into a big horizontal displacement so you have better mechanical advantage. Of course with cantilever brakes, you don't have to worry about mud getting mud on the brake cables.

cs1

I've never had the kind of troubles setting up cantis that I hear about in the forums. Mind you, I'm not the best mechanic in the world. Actually, I just do routine maintanence. But cantis just aren't that hard to set up well.

Can't help you on the mini-v's.

Tim

Retro Grouch 

What kinds of canty's have you worked with?

Back in the days when bike frames were steel and girls tried to hide their bra straps, canty brake shoes came with an unthreaded attachment stud. To set them up you had to hold the brake pad steady in 3 different planes while tightening the nut. It frequently resulted in the use of words that only bike mechanics are allowed to say.

Today most modern canty brakes, like the Tektro Onyx, use brake pads that have threaded studs. I can set one of them up with my grand daughter's Brownie troop watching and not embarrass myself.

Uh - I'm not a fan of mini-V's. If you're using conventional road brake levers you have to set them up with the pads real close to the rim. When you do that you can't get the noodle to release and allow you to open the brake pads in order to clear the tire for wheel changes.

AndrewP

I changed the old cantis on my bike to Tektro Oryx at the back and Avid Shorty6 at the front, with straddle cables. They were both very easy to set up and work well, but I think the Avids look prettier.

cs1

I prefer the old style. All my bikes have Deore wide profile cantis.

Tim