V-Brake Help please...

funkymrmagic
funkymrmagic Posts: 21
edited May 2009 in MTB workshop & tech
So, in the absence of proper money to buy a new bike, I've been looking to spend a little bit to just get the old one a tiny bit tarted up. I've bought an el-cheapo set of V-brakes today - front, rear, levers and cables, and I'm about to launch them right out of (or through) the window.

Basically, the arms on the pads aren't long enough to get close to the rims... I've shortened/tensioned the cables as much as I can, and swapped the washers around so that the pad is slightly closer to the rim, but they're still not close enough to make any significant contact. I don't know if it's just my old, old bike with brake bosses that are somehow freakishly too far away, or if there's something else going on that I haven't twigged to.

Anybody got any ideas that might help me sort this?

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    pics.

    spacers in the wrong order.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • funkymrmagic
    funkymrmagic Posts: 21
    I've already changed the spacers around, but no joy in any case.... Here's the front view - you can see how tight the arms already are:

    brakes1.jpg

    I've not properly aligned the pads, but you can see how much space there still is between the pad and the rim here:

    brakes2.jpg

    And likewise on the other side:

    brakes3.jpg

    Cheers
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    where is the thin washer?

    in those pics it is very hard to see the spacer combo.

    brake block/thin washer/thick cup washer cone washer/brake arm. other cone and cup washers.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • funkymrmagic
    funkymrmagic Posts: 21
    Cheers Nick,

    The way you describe is the way that they're on... I've tried the thin washer and the thick washer alternately on the rim side of the brake arm, but no joy.

    Would it be too much of a bodge to put both sets of washers (thick & thin) on the rim side of the brake arm, and then just screw the back on? That *might* just give me enough reach...
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    funkymrmagic wrote:

    Would it be too much of a bodge to put both sets of washers (thick & thin) on the rim side of the brake arm, and then just screw the back on? That *might* just give me enough reach...

    Yes, the two different thickness spacers/washers have a cup and ball arrangement to give you the alignment/roation/toe-in. Putting both on the inside of the arm you will lose this.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • funkymrmagic
    funkymrmagic Posts: 21
    Right.... Well, looks like I'm going back to cantis then, because there's no way in hell the pads are going to reach my rims as they are.... :(
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Another solution is to blag some thin spacers from LBS and put these between arms and rim though you might not have enough thread on the brake blocks to do this with the allen nuts.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • funkymrmagic
    funkymrmagic Posts: 21
    Not a bad thought at that... I'll nip in on my way home to see what I can find...

    Cheers!

Categories