Originally Posted by
Fallingwater
I didn't consider the length of the straddle cable. I'll have a go at shortening it, and I'll get proper pads. Live and learn
That said: "far better than v brakes"? From everything I've read or heard, good Vs are best rim-brakes money can buy and can only be threatened by discs. Is this not true?
V brakes can easily be made to be very very good brakes. Cantilever brakes are difficult to adjust and can provide power anywhere from crap-ola to awesome. However, Cantilever brakes don't have the linear feel of Vs -- the further our lever pulls and the higher the straddle cable goes during braking the less mechanical advantage you have. This effect becomes more pronounced as the pads wear and the straddle cable rises higher to actuate the brakes. Cantilever brakes also have more clearance for fat tires, fenders and mud.