V-Brakes: Avid and Tektro?
 

I've been looking into buying a new set of V-Brakes (Linear pull not parallel) and want to make sure I get something that is smooth and won't stick to the rim on one side. Yesterday I went with a friend to the LBS and he bought a Tektro V-Brake set that looks really nice, but I don't know much about them... good products or not? Also, I've been looking into Avid's V-Brakes, but I want to be sure that if I tighten the bolt down on the brake it won't keep it from rotating easily... my current el-cheap-o set of V-Brakes requires you to keep the retaining bolts a bit loose so the brake can rotate freely off the rim (did I mention this is a horrible design?). Any suggestions or comments about V-Brakes (not disc or cantilever) would be appreciated...

I think tekros are considered cheap (I don't know much about v-brakes) but my gf has a set and they rock. Instant stopping wicked modulation, easy to set. I found them fine.

From my experience, Tektro works but isn't great. No contest between Tektro and Avid though... I'd go with Avids over Tektro any day.

Khuon,

Do you have any particular model that you're fond of and how does it's retaining bolt hold the brake on the frame/fork? Thanks!

I run Avid ArchRival 50s on my bike. They're on the upper end of the line but they're not really all that expensive. You can find them for around $40 each. At a lower pricepoint, I'd go with Single Digit 3 brakes which can be usually found at half the price. The fixing bolt is just the same as any other V-brake mounting bolt. Grease the bosses lightly, mount the arms (be sure to align the brake pins), slide a washer in place and then torque down the fixing bolt to around 60 lb-ft. (according to my ArchRival's instructions).

I'm betting your current brakes need to be greased. Before buying new ones, you might want to try pulling them off completely and adding a bit of grease to the bosses and at all the interfaces. If that doesn't work then consider new brakes.

I have Avid single digit 3s, they work great for the price.

Running LX levers/shifter combos and the braking feels really nice.

PS. I had tektros before and they were pretty damn good too

Honestly, even the high end v-brakes arent but so much different from the low end ones in basic design principle. Basically what you're paying for is minor adjustments, but overall you're getting the same thing. You might lose a little in durability, stoppping power, or modulation, but ultimately you're getting pretty much the same thing. I would think the Tektro's would be fine.

tektros are mostly on the low end bikes and other budget bikes....... I'd probably say the Avids are better because i've tested Tektro's and i can stop the wheel better with my tongue

Thanks for all the info! I think I'll look into some Avid brakes, as greasing mine didn't help any..

Some of the Tektro's aren't bad but in general Avid's or SRAM are better. Shimano Deore aren't bad brakes (although the levers develop too much play at the pivot, too quickly for my liking).

Ive noticed that too.... On my m8's bike

I have that same problem. :(

I found a pair of Avid Single Digit 7 brakes that look nice... anybody have any comments or complaints about them? I couldn't find any Single Digit 3's (although I didn't look too hard).

Pricepoint.com has Avid Single Digit 7, Front and rear brakes with levers for $69.98

I tried the SD 5's that replaced my cantileaver brakes and it was an amazing difference. I used the SD 5 down Keystone mountain run over the weekend and they preformed great.

The Avid 7 brakes are outstanding, and if you find a good clearance deal on them you should immediately BUY them. With so many good deals around (Jenson, SuperGo, ebay), these are the v-brakes I demand my buddies upgrade to if they want me to continue to be their "wrench".

The Avid 7's are very easy to set up, very rigid and powerful and wiegh less than most other Vees, too. Contrary to another viewpoint left above, I think there are real, tangible and important differences between the Avid 7's and the Tektro's, not to mention even the Avid 3's. Get the sevens and re-do your cables while you're at it.

The Tektro v-brakes have two major problems:

--they are slightly loose on the brake boss, and this allows them to wiggle or shimmy, leading to squeaks.

--they are soft, cast aluminum and flex under braking torsion. This causes squeal and a mushy feeling.

The Tektros are fine for entry-level bikes that don't get ridden hard off road. However, if you're getting to the point where you're really using brakes on steep or long downhills, it's time to ditch them and upgrade. Shimano vees are nice, I'm not so fond of Sram vees, and there are other good brakes out there, but Get the Avid's and you're done.

I think I'll probably go with the Avid SD 7's then. I found a pretty nice deal for the brakes and levers (although right now I have a combo shifter/brake lever setup). I can just keep the levers around for when I want to upgrade to a 9 speed... that way I only have to buy shifters and cassette instead of a whole shifter/brake combo set. Thanks for everyone's input!!!

well tektro brakes must be good because my friend has them on his bmx and goin at bout 10 mph they where enough to send me over the handle bars

5 years old.
Record?

I was wondering why no one mentioned getting discs, lol. I read the "9-08" and not that it was from 2003.

1. Learn to ride a bike
2. Wear a helmet next time so you don't bring up 5 yr old threads...

Pics?