V Brakes for Ultegra Levers?

smokeysmoo2
smokeysmoo2 Posts: 31
edited January 2011 in Road buying advice
I have a Focus Mares AX 1.0 CX bike that I use for commuting, but I simply cannot get used to the Avid Shorty 4 canti brakes, they are very poor.
I was thinking of putting V brakes on it as I know they provide far better performance, but I'm not sure of the compatability of V's with drop levers.
The Focus has new Ultegra shifters, (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-mares-ax-10-ultegra-2011/), but I'm worried about the whole linear pull thing.
So, my questions are:
1) Can I even fit V brakes to my bike?
2) Will they work fine with my Ultegra levers?
3) Will I need to incorporate travel agents if I do fit V brakes? (http://problemsolversbike.com/products/travel_agents)

Any help greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • PeterBL
    PeterBL Posts: 209
    If you fit standard v-brakes, you need the travel agent. If you do mini-v, you don't.
  • Hoopdriver
    Hoopdriver Posts: 2,023
    You will need a travel agent, as the above posts says; they will work, but you will probably find the braking squishy and soft - it will not work nearly as well as V-brakes with the 'proper' designed-for levers. I do not know how bad your Avid brakes are, but you might find that you go through the expense of changing things for very little (and possible no) gain in braking quality.

    Perhaps you could look at other cantis - or depending on the width of tyres you use, consider long-reach calipers. I've got some Shimano long reach (57mm) calipers on my light tourer that can take 28mm tyres and mudguards.
    http://www.My-Bicycle-and-I.com
  • Hoopdriver
    Hoopdriver Posts: 2,023
    I should also add that there are a couple of drop-bar brake levers being made that ill accommodate V-brakes - Dia Compe and Tektro both make such levers (and I think Cane Creek does as well, although from what I understand they are Tektro ones rebranded)

    My understanding - and I've not used them - is that the Tektro ones were easier to mount and set up. Again, I also undertsand that neither will give you the full benefit of V-brakes as used with the 'proper' levers.
    http://www.My-Bicycle-and-I.com
  • smokeysmoo2
    smokeysmoo2 Posts: 31
    Thanks for the quick replies Guys. I can't fit any form of calipers as the forks/frame are not drilled for them. I'm thinking of probably Shimano XT V Brakes and fitting the Travel Agents as well.
    I knew canti's were not great, (generally speaking), but I wasn't prepared for how poor they actually are, and despite a proper set up, they munch through pads for fun.
    I've only had the bike a short while, but the pads have gone already, ( I do appreciate the massive choice and variety of pads on offer tht may help with this).
    I also ride a Focus Cayo Pro Dura-Ace, and despite many many more miles so far than the Mares, the pads are still excellent on it.
    I'll post my final decision, and let you know how I get on with what ever that decision may be.
    In the meantime I'd still apprecaite any first hand experience.
  • brin
    brin Posts: 1,122
    Try these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tektro-oryx-cantilever-brake/ i got them fitted onto my bike when i changed over from flat bar set up, work a treat. :D
  • cooper.michael1
    cooper.michael1 Posts: 1,787
    As Peter said Mini V's are the best answer. I have some on my cross bike and they work really well with road levers.
  • Berk Bonebonce
    Berk Bonebonce Posts: 1,245
    As per the last post, I got some Campag mini V brakes from Mercian Cycles a while back.

    Someone on these boards said a while ago that Shimano are doing STI levers with two holes - one for normal brakes, and the other for V brakes which require more cable pull. Not sure of the accuracy of this claim though.
  • FransJacques
    FransJacques Posts: 2,148
    I kind of hijacked the "Cyclocros/Commuter/Touring" thread with the below post so will copy and paste it here cuz it belongs as well:

    What Mini Vs are you guys running? I desparately need to know what works in the 80mm to 85mm arm length. Here's what I've found so far, let me know your thoughts:

    Tektro RX5s: http://www.cyclebasket.com/products.php ... p566&rs=gb

    Tektro 926: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=34580

    Sinz (??) http://www.winstanleysbmx.com/product/3 ... ini_VBrake

    Dia-Compe: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dia ... e-ec006124

    I'm 85kgs and the CX bike is 10kgs so power is the key. I need them for the rear only. Thanks!
    When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.
  • cooper.michael1
    cooper.michael1 Posts: 1,787
    I have the Tektro 926's and they work fine. I'm sure with some Koolstop pads they'll work even better.
  • prb007
    prb007 Posts: 703
    As long as you set the v-brakes up with little clearance (sub-3mm), std pull road levers should be fine.
    I fitted Dia-Compe's to a Planet X Kaffenback build a cpl of months ago, only cos they were cheap AND had gum hoods, and they work fine and I'm 105kgs and the bike is 12kgs, with mudguards and a rear rack :lol:

    Kaff1.jpg
    If Wales was flattened out, it'd be bigger than England!
    Planet X Ti Sportive for Sportives & tours
    Orange Alpine 160 for Afan,Alps & dodging trees
    Singlespeed Planet X Kaffenback for dodging potholes
    An On-One Inbred for hard-tail shenanigans...

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