V Brakes and drop bars

PeterMolloy
PeterMolloy Posts: 121
edited January 2011 in Workshop
Am in the process of converting a flat bar bike to drops, using Tiagra levers. Everything seems to work ok, but I can't figure out how to get any level of adjustment on the brakes. The flat bar gear changers had knurled screw type fittings that took up the slack, but the Tiagras don't ........they rely on you using standard caliper brakes which have the adjuster fitted to them at the brake end. Does anyone know of, or has used, what I would guess are 'in line' cable adjusters to allow v brakes to be used with drop bars.
Thanks
PeteM

Comments

  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    You will have to use mini v-brakes if you are using STI levers on drops. You can get v brake specific brake lvers for drop bars but they don't come as part of an STI unit. CRC sell Tektro mini v's for £28, thats a bike's worth.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • PeterMolloy
    PeterMolloy Posts: 121
    Sorry if I mis explained. I actually have mini v brakes fitted already, and looking at the CRC site, and the user comments, the one review that is there, says that they could do with an adjuster on the noodle....which I guess is exactly what I was looking for. Have also seen some adjusters on the SJS site, and may ring them Tuesday to see if they are suitable....unless someone on the forum has experience of them, or something similar.
    PeteM
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Grab a Dia-compe flexi noodle from Wiggle and pull the adjuster off and fit it to the normal guide pipe. This is how the front brake is set up on my Tricross and I have a JagWire Mickey adjuster for the rear cable.

    Front
    imag0260l.th.jpg
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • PeterMolloy
    PeterMolloy Posts: 121
    Redvee, that was exactly what I was looking for. Looking at Wiggle, it implies (as do the reviews) that the Dia Compe option can be used for both front and rear brakes, yet you say that you use the Jagwire Mickey for the rear....is theer a reason for that. By the way, the jagwires appear to be out of stock at the moment, but many thanks anyway.
    PeteM
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    I use the Jagwire mickey on the rear as it sits in the frame stop, there isn't anywhere on the front cable for it to sit. I got my mickeys from the USA, other UK suppliers might have stock though.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • PeterMolloy
    PeterMolloy Posts: 121
    Thanks. Will probably order the two Dia Compe units from Wiggle.
    PeteM
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    Shimano do adjusters that fit on the cable outer itself which work well.

    Never bought any though so don't know an online source.

    Try SJS cycles online - they are good for odd bits.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    something like this

    http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/m:part-in-li ... prod13985/

    this is for gear cables but may well work on brake outers too.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • brin
    brin Posts: 1,122
    I have just changed my spesh hybrid from flat bars to drops, was advised to use cantilever brakes as used on cyclocross bikes, had to fit a seat clamp adaptor as i had no fixing lug for rear brakes.Altho they look a bit cumbersome they do the trick

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tektro-oryx-cantilever-brake/
  • PeterMolloy
    PeterMolloy Posts: 121
    Thanks guys. Didn't realise that there would be so many options. Was about to order the Wiggle stuff, and that is still my back up option, but will call SJS cycles as well (when they open Tuesday) and see if their in line gear adjusters will do the job. Thanks again
    PeteM
  • Canny Jock
    Canny Jock Posts: 1,051
    I've just ordered some of these for normal V brakes and long pull levers:

    http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tektro-tektr ... prod18060/
  • PeterMolloy
    PeterMolloy Posts: 121
    Canny Jock. Definitely very 'canny'!!! Now they look exactly what I need....no need to make them fit or modify them. Great...thanks
    PeteM
  • Hondated
    Hondated Posts: 136
    Canny Jock do you literally just have to fit these on the cables to get STI levers to work on V brakes.I have just brought a Specialised Cross Roads frame on Ebay and realised after that its made for straight bars so I would like to fit drops on it.
    hondated
  • PeterMolloy
    PeterMolloy Posts: 121
    Hondated. Just to confirm what Canny Jock said. I ordered the units from SJS and they arrived in double quick time....very impressed. Fitting them was really easy, and they worked exactly as Canny Jock described. i.e you just slide them onto the v Brake cable, and make sure that the cable outer sits neatly in to top of the unit, and that's it. Brilliant.
    PeteM
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Hondated wrote:
    Canny Jock do you literally just have to fit these on the cables to get STI levers to work on V brakes.I have just brought a Specialised Cross Roads frame on Ebay and realised after that its made for straight bars so I would like to fit drops on it.
    This will enable you to adjust the brakes but you still need to use mini Vs. The STI levers do not pull enough cable to work properly with standard Vs. You need to have the blocks too close to the rims and the modulation is bad.
    My Fleet.
  • Canny Jock
    Canny Jock Posts: 1,051
    As above, I have long pull levers (single speed bike) as normal levers won't pull enough cable. Your other option is something called a travel agent (i think) which let's you use normal levers but increases the pull, I can't remember if they have adjusted built in or not. I have heard they can damage cables, which is why I went for different levers.

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