DylanTremblay

Hey everyone...I recently got a BMX (I know this is the mountain biking forum but you guys are smarter then the guys in the BMX forum ) and it came with v-brakes...the thing is that the brakes don't brake very well...I tightend them so the pad are rubbing agains the rim even with no results...it seems that the pads aren't gripping. So now I come to my question...do v-brakes also have to be worn in? Or did I just get crappy pad? Any advice would be nice...I'm gonna go buy some new pads probably tomorrow to see if that fixes the problem. Thanks in advance!

concernicus

what brand are they?

all brakes have to be worn in, the pads will begin to wear soon enough. if youre going to buy new pads, try some kool stops. other than that, try screwing in the spring tension adjuster a little.

DylanTremblay

I'm not sure what brand they are it doesn't say anywhere on the pad...I already tightend them as much as I can (both cables and springs). Do v-brake pad really have to be worn in? All other ones that I use worked right off the bat. Anyone else have any advice?

nm+

My pads need around 20mi to really start working at thier prime.
You can speed it along with sandpaper.
If they still have no power, get some kool stops. If that doesn't solve it you have some bum brakes.
Also, make sure there's no oil or anything on the rims and pads.

mx_599

v-brakes are supposed to be the strongest cable rim brake design.....aren't they?? i ask because i want to put them on my BMX build, but not if they aren't the best. anyone know?

Gorsar

The cheaper V-brake arms have quite a bit of flex in them that really kills your stopping power. I upgraded from OEM Tektros to Avid SD 7's and it's absolutely amazing the difference. Also, tightening is NOT the answer when trying to adjust v-brakes. It's best to LOOSEN the side that's touching rather than tighten the side that isn't. All the springs do is hold the pad off the rim when you aren't braking. Your finger strength is what is applied to the rims. So why tighen a spring that has an exclusive purpose of working AGAINST your braking efforts?

Oh, and +1 on the new pads. If that doesn't cut it then cruise eBay for a decent set of V-brakes..

nm+

They are. But as the above poster mentioned they're only as good as the design. Avid's are probably the best. Shimano made some great ones too, but I dunno if they make them the same, they were expensive and complex. However, so much easier to adjust. The XTs on my titus and 930 are more powerful than the avid's on my 520.

Kennethfaria

has anyone veer heard of Radius? im wondering if they are anygood..id search for it but the seraching is disbaled atm.

and for the brake question if you dont have money to change the set buy new pads... and dont tighten the wires or tensioner around the brake its self tighten the lever(add more resistance)gives you more room to brake producing more power.

samster143

Buy shimano XT off ebay or your LBS and set them up properly: proper toe-in, trued-up wheel (so the pads can sit close),well lubed cable, and a good lever (XT). Shimano makes a line for BMX, I think it is called DX. If there is any meat on the pad it should grip...unless they are crap and need to be trashed.