Mini V brakes - arms too close...

munkster

Just trying to fit some Tektro mini Vs on a CX frame at the front and can only assume the fork arms are too far apart because when I bring the arms of the brakes together they are so close that the rubber boot squishes up against the securing bolt for the brake cable. I suppose I could pinch the bolt up whilst holding the boot at bay but think it'll look a bit weird and surely not what is intended.

Is there a remedy for this? The instructions only provide a solution for if the arms are too far apart (switch round the convex/concave washers) so am at a bit of a loss. Is it an option to omit the rubber boot??

Any help gratefully received. Ta.

freezing77

Add some washers to place the blocks nearer the rim.

redvee

Some boots are longer than others, as long as it sits over the noodle securely I can't see this being a problem. It isn't something I'd worry about.

montyburns56

Just remove the boot, your brakes can live without it.

desweller

montyburns56 wrote:

Just remove the boot, your brakes can live without it.

Aye, do this. I don't have one on my rear brake (my front is arranged in such a way that is uses no noodle).

munkster

I've added a very thin washer inboard of the arms and this has helped a little, may add another one and see if I have enough thread to play with. Will consider losing the boot anyway, thanks for the help chaps.

k-dog

Most V brake pads come with 4 washers and the retaining bolt - 2 are cup things that allow you to change the angle and 2 are just cylinders - but are different sizes.

Different brakes need the thicker one or the thinner one on the rim side of the brake arm - there's a couple of mm in them so the wrong way round makes things a pain.

The angle the arms are at makes a difference to the leverage you get so if they're the wrong way round your brakes aren't as good - and it sounds as if yours are.