are u-brakes a pain to deal with?
05-12-15, 06:08 PM
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are u-brakes a pain to deal with?
Been looking at new hybrid bikes, have narrowed it down to a couple models. One of them uses a u-brake type design on the rear wheel, down near the chain stays. Wondering if anyone here as experience with them, if you found them to be more problematic than regular brakes. Regular meaning V-brakes that you'd find in hybrid bikes. Bit worried about mud and other grime getting on the brake, and being difficult to adjust due to the position.
05-12-15, 07:40 PM
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I had an old Bianchi mountain bike with that brake setup. I didn't have any issues with it really. Bad design for a mountain bike as it's going to get clogged with mud, but on the street, no issues at all. Probably won't be that big of a deal to work on either. Just flip the bike over. They stopped using them for a reason but I wouldn't not have a bike that had them.
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05-12-15, 07:47 PM
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Not at all. it's a simple design and easy to work with, mainly because they never need to be worked with.
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05-13-15, 11:45 AM
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05-13-15, 04:22 PM
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This bike?
Fuji Bikes | LIFESTYLE | FITNESS | ABSOLUTE 2.1
Yeah,it's going to be a bit of a PITA to work with,but it shouldn't need adjusting that frequently.
Fuji Bikes | LIFESTYLE | FITNESS | ABSOLUTE 2.1
Yeah,it's going to be a bit of a PITA to work with,but it shouldn't need adjusting that frequently.
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05-13-15, 04:32 PM
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one precaution as the brake pads wear they move closer to the rim edge facing the pivot .. in the case of a U brake
that is the tire side .. Ive replaced more than 1 tire when the customer let the brake pad wear through the Tire..
U brakes are a common part on BMX Bikes.. in essence a really Beefy Center Pull .
that is the tire side .. Ive replaced more than 1 tire when the customer let the brake pad wear through the Tire..
U brakes are a common part on BMX Bikes.. in essence a really Beefy Center Pull .
05-13-15, 04:45 PM
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I'm going to disagree, at least to a point, with the pro U-brake folks.
I've worked on lots of BMX freestyle bikes with U-brakes and a cable detangler to allow you to spin the handlebar. There's lots barrel adjusters for balancing the various cable tensions and the front chainring i right where you need to get at to balance the return spring pressure. It sometimes takes my whole vocabulary to get one of those things right. Maybe I just never worked on enough BMX bikes for long enough to learn the right words.
I've worked on lots of BMX freestyle bikes with U-brakes and a cable detangler to allow you to spin the handlebar. There's lots barrel adjusters for balancing the various cable tensions and the front chainring i right where you need to get at to balance the return spring pressure. It sometimes takes my whole vocabulary to get one of those things right. Maybe I just never worked on enough BMX bikes for long enough to learn the right words.
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05-13-15, 05:59 PM
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This bike?
Fuji Bikes | LIFESTYLE | FITNESS | ABSOLUTE 2.1
Yeah,it's going to be a bit of a PITA to work with,but it shouldn't need adjusting that frequently.
Fuji Bikes | LIFESTYLE | FITNESS | ABSOLUTE 2.1
Yeah,it's going to be a bit of a PITA to work with,but it shouldn't need adjusting that frequently.
Do y'all think it'd be a good idea to go up to the next model, the 1.9? That trades the v-brake and u-brake for discs. Never had disc brakes before, and there's not much info out there on those particular ones.
05-13-15, 07:53 PM
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Not really. Those brakes work fine. I don't think discs are really necessary for 99% of bikes out there. Maybe if you riding a MTB in the mud, but not a bike like this.
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05-14-15, 05:33 PM
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Only if you're going to be riding in the rain/snow. The 1.9 is the same bike,only with discs,but they're pretty low-end models. You'd have to go farther up the chain to get a bike with decent discs. I also noticed that the next level up has an alloy fork,which is not an improvement over the 1.9/2.1 in terms of ride quality,so unless you're willing to spend the dosh on one of the higher models,I'd stick with the 1.9 or 2.1.
Not going to turn this into another disc vs rim flame war,but your 99% figure is way wrong. I commute in a hilly area in all weather,and wouldn't use anything else on my bad weather bike. Also numerous forumites from the PNW area who switched do to discs after wearing out their rims. If you prefer rim brakes,fair dinkum,but there are many of us who have found them useful.
Not going to turn this into another disc vs rim flame war,but your 99% figure is way wrong. I commute in a hilly area in all weather,and wouldn't use anything else on my bad weather bike. Also numerous forumites from the PNW area who switched do to discs after wearing out their rims. If you prefer rim brakes,fair dinkum,but there are many of us who have found them useful.
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05-14-15, 05:51 PM
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This bike?
Fuji Bikes | LIFESTYLE | FITNESS | ABSOLUTE 2.1
Yeah,it's going to be a bit of a PITA to work with,but it shouldn't need adjusting that frequently.
Fuji Bikes | LIFESTYLE | FITNESS | ABSOLUTE 2.1
Yeah,it's going to be a bit of a PITA to work with,but it shouldn't need adjusting that frequently.
Mark
05-17-15, 10:45 PM
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I have an old mountain bike with one. On that it's awful because of the mud issue. If you don't ride in the mud or leaves don't worry about that. It's a little more awkward releasing the cable to remove the rear wheel, but not that bad. For working on it (I agree with those above, you don't have to do that very much) you flip the bike upside down. I do have the impression that is has tremendous stopping power - (much) better than most brakes.
05-17-15, 11:58 PM
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I hated working on U brakes. There were clearance issues in every direction.
The only reason I can see for including these brakes on that bike is to allow all down-tube cable routing. Form over function.
The only reason I can see for including these brakes on that bike is to allow all down-tube cable routing. Form over function.
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