I'm seriously thinking about going back to V-brakes

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  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    But it is not as simple as that, as has been mentioned. Some wheels stay perfectly true for years. Some rims last for years. Many work fine for people in the gloop, and others may not ride that much in the gloop.

    Disc brakes bring many improvements [and maybe some disadvantages] in many areas, and I agree is certainly not fashion [except cheap cable pulls on 200 quid bikes], but it depends on the rider, his kit, where he rides, the bike, budget and so on.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

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  • Chinley Churner
    Chinley Churner Posts: 313
    In this case I honestly do think it's that simple... a set of Shimano XT discs vs Any V-brake... in any mountain biking scenario you could come up with I know which I'd pick. Particularly in UK conditions.. I'd like to know who these riders are who don't ride in gloop and where in the UK they live. Coming from someone who rides a fully rigid bike (I have my reasons see Sanderson Life 69er in Your Rides), this may seem a tad hypocritical in some people's eyes but isn't fitting V-brakes a bit horse shirt and backwards looking?
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    If they work for the person, why not? People could say exactly the same about your rigid forks, as you say :wink:

    My Zaskar LE does get taken out more in the fairer weather tbh, but even in the mud and wet, the brakes still work fine for the XC and trail riding I do. I have no reasons to fit heavier, more expensive discs that will make no difference to me on that bike.

    But I run discs on the Mongoose because I am more likely to ding the wheels and ride in even worse conditions on it. The Zaskar Team gets discs, but if it had V mounts I'd probably run Vs. So horses for courses really, I think both systems have merits.

    As for rigid forks lol :wink: Well, the Zaskar LE might be getting a pair very soon....
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    supersonic wrote:
    As for rigid forks lol :wink: Well, the Zaskar LE might be getting a pair very soon....
    I thought you said your health was improving. I reckon you need to get your head checked.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Hehe, 3 very different bikes I will have :wink:

    The LE will drop to around 21lbs I think, be interesting to see what I can handle on it.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • robdaykin
    robdaykin Posts: 102
    Chinley Churner wrote:
    I'd like to know who these riders are who don't ride in gloop and where in the UK they live.

    Sorry, got to answer that...

    I live in Scarborough on the edge of the Moors. When I came here I had a standard, hand built steel framed racing bike, and rode the Scarborough Whitby trail on 28 mm tyres. No gloop, but some rocks, cracks, uneven surfaces. I bust a few wheels that way. I'm older now...

    6 years back I was regularly riding up onto the Moors so I bought a hybrid, rigid fork, suspension post, 700c x 37mm Conti CountryRide tyres with V brakes and mud guards. On that I have done the entire Moor to Sea network. I've expanded that to most of the tracks in Raincliffe, though the drop from the top of the woods to the middle trail I do walk if it's too wet. I do most of the bridle paths round here, Wykeham forest, Broxa, Harwood Forest, Langdale, and Dalby though I have stuck to the Blue and Green routes with that bike, I'm not good enough to do the red on it. Though since I don't drive, I have to ride out to Dalby to start with (18 miles each way), so doing the full red route and home would probably do me in on any bike.

    Most of the off road rides I do are fire trails, single track bridle paths, some muddy bits, but there's lots of stuff that's not too rough, and gloop is easily avoided. I've only ever run out of mud clearance once on that bike. I do ride all year round, I ride to work every day in the snow, every year. More than once on that racer I mentioned.

    For trail riding a £300 Dawes Discovery 301 has been fine. The brakes and wheels have been upgraded to improve braking, but it still has mud guards. I tried a suspension fork, and put the rigid back after a few weeks because I couldn't stop the front end jarring under braking. Something to do with it being a cheap fork I suspect.

    When Bike to Work came round in September I invested in a Boardman Team FS. It's far more competent and I am venturing onto trails I previously didn't use. I agree the suspension and disc brakes are better for off road, but it's about 35% slower (measuring by GPS) and the suspension means it needs more pre-ride than just checking the tyres aren't flat.

    I should point out, that I am something of a coward, and the red/black routes at Dalby, and the bike park stretch me out of my comfort zone. The Boardman is there so I can push myself, but I occasionally take a long day (50-60 ish miles) on the aforementioned bridle paths, fire trails, and forest trails. Followed by a bath, for me, not the bike....

    So Supersonic is right (as always), horses for courses...

    Rob
  • Chinley Churner
    Chinley Churner Posts: 313
    Each to their own I guess in this wonderful all encompassing sport of ours... discs are better though :wink:

    I guess Mr McGee just needs all that unnecessary travel to make up for his lack of riding skills and poor line choices :wink:
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Chinley Churner wrote:
    I guess Mr McGee just needs all that unnecessary travel to make up for his lack of riding skills and poor line choices :wink:
    Excuse me?
    Do I know you or something?
  • AndyOgy
    AndyOgy Posts: 579
    Seems that there's a lot of tension on this thread. Maybe I'll just keep the disc brakes.
  • robdaykin
    robdaykin Posts: 102
    that'd be the cables on the V brakes, full on... :lol:
  • Chinley Churner
    Chinley Churner Posts: 313
    [/quote]
    Excuse me?
    Do I know you or something?[/quote]

    Just having a bit of fun and seeing if you'd bite.. :wink:
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    So, no, then. You must be fun to be around when you're drunk.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    yeehaamcgee wrote:
    So, no, then. You must be fun to be around when you're drunk.

    If the drink doesn't work. there's always Rohypnol.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • Chinley Churner
    Chinley Churner Posts: 313
    Just sometimes think that flamers need flaming.... pretty lame attempt on my part though, must try harder.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Chinley Churner wrote:
    Just sometimes think that flamers need flaming.... pretty lame attempt on my part though, must try harder.
    Sigh, no. The problem is you need fuel for the fire, otherwise it's just a lame spark.
  • dan shard
    dan shard Posts: 722
    yeehaamcgee wrote:
    So, no, then. You must be fun to be around when you're drunk.

    Pot20Kettle20Black.jpg
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Ahem, ever heard the term "people in glass houses...", dan shard
  • dan shard
    dan shard Posts: 722
    yeehaamcgee wrote:
    Ahem, ever heard the term "people in glass houses...", dan shard

    Yep that one too.
  • Dalescharlie
    Dalescharlie Posts: 20
    Mmmmmm... Hydro disc brakes for me all the way. V's just hate the mud and I don't, so it's never gonna be a match made in Heaven.

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