Originally Posted by
Mook
So, if I understand correctly, there is no clear advantage in the performance department?
Right, correctly set up a reasonably skilled(and able-bodied) rider will bring a bike to stop equally well with either type.
The most significant difference is between smooth post cantis and pretty much everything else, as the smooth post cantis can be quite bothersome to set up. There's one bolt responsible for the alignment of the pad in every direction.
A secondary consideration is clearance, V-brakes offers the biggest clearance if you want to run (wide)fenders, which can be an issue with caliper brakes and cantis.
Originally Posted by
Mook
.. Just more of an issue as to what levers would be used in conjunction with what handle bar set up?
No, there are two interfaces that has to match:
1) brake lever to bar diameter
2) brake lever to brake
For those who look there are off diameter bars out there, as well as shims and the renowned travel agent.
Originally Posted by
Mook
..If I want to go with drops or trekking bars, then canti's and either aeros or non aeros would work.
Trekking (AKA butterfly bars) usually take MTB-standard components. And there you have brake levers like the Avid Speed dial and Shimanos servo-wave(sp?) which allows you to choose between V-brake pull and Canti pull by adjusting the anchor point of the cable. I suppose Aero(drop) bar levers could be shimmed to fit, or you could go for a moustache bar instead and have instant fit.
There's also a set of aero brakes with enough pull to activate v-brake levers, a tektro-something I believe.
Originally Posted by
Mook
If going the V Brake route, I'd be restricted to MTB levers and upright type bars.
No, you can either run the v-brakes via a travel agent. It works fine although they're a bit sensitive to crud. Or there's also a set of aero brakes with enough pull to activate v-brake levers, a tektro-something I believe.
Avid also makes a set of short v-brakes which supposedly are compatible with ordinary drop bar brake levers.