Can U brakes be used the same as V brakes?

gt-arrowhead
gt-arrowhead Posts: 2,507
edited August 2015 in MTB workshop & tech
This question isnt actually about a mountain bike, its about a BMX, but hopefully someone can still help me on here. I have a BMX build going, and was wondering if this type of U brake can be used the same way as a V brake. Just slot the wire in, clamp it in and go. Like this
http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/tektro_alloy_bmx_bicycle_u_brake_set_fx570cfs.jpg

Is there any reason i cannot just have the wire run up to the lever after the barrel adjuster? (probably could do with a v brake noodle to make a better line for the brake when i pull the lever)

ap8zgo.jpg
I bought the other type of U brake, the one that works by tugging on a wire, as shown below. And i realised i cannot use them without the 360 thing, which i dont have or want.

odyssey-springfield-brake-black-M17661.jpg

Comments

  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    So you're saying you just don't want to run it through the giro/steerer?
  • gt-arrowhead
    gt-arrowhead Posts: 2,507
    I just realised on closer inspection of that picture that you can run the wire up the steerer. It will work on my bike too by the looks of it. I assumed that it would go up and attach to the 360 thing. Never knew you could bring it up through the steerer.
  • me-109
    me-109 Posts: 1,915
    It's like an old centre-pull caliper. You'll need a cable hanger to fit in the headset if it's for the front, probably no option for the rear. The cable loop is a straddle wire across the two arms. The triangular lump slipsmover the centre of that and the incoming cable from the lever passes through the bolt, which means you need the outer to stop somewhere before that.
  • gt-arrowhead
    gt-arrowhead Posts: 2,507
    The second picture i posted is the type i cuerently have, and yes you are correct about it needing a hanger to fit on the headset, and that is why i need a different U brake. If i fit the hanger, the stem will not allow me to pass the cable through the hanger, as the hanger is below the stem. You can get it to work for the rear by passing the secondary wire (the one that gets pulled) around the seat tube.