Are V-brakes a no no

UK2004 · June 2007

Looking for a hardtail for post operation fitness and hopefully back to cross country riding, looking for something really light, was thinking Merlin Malt frame with xt v brake groupset and reba sl fork and some xc rims. Are V brakes not used anymore or are they ok, surely an xt groupset with v brakes will be very lightweight, will the reba sl be heavy how much would you expect total bike to weigh?

nicklouse · June 2007

personal choice.
weight not much in it really.(quality discs).

discs cost more.

a non disc set up will be better speced than a disc set up for the same cost.

nick
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JammyH · June 2007

IMO, disks are better. Though its all down to personal preference, budget, trails ridden etc.

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<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DJIP

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Snapper · June 2007

For XC rim brake are fine. I still use them primarily because there very light. They also allow you to run very light wheels. Good rim brake also have lots of power so you will stop. The only real down side on them is they don't like whet and mud much. But you will have no grip in the mud anyhow so its nothing to loose sleep over. So really there fine. A lot of people still race with them.

BTR · June 2007

Well set up V brakes will be better than cheapy mech discs.

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It's because muslims are far more into amateur pyrotechnics than christians.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></center>

Alex · June 2007

Conversely, if you tend to ride in the rain, or in mud or in grit, discs are a far better option if you want your rims, brake pads and face to stand the test of time.

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iggs · June 2007

Discs are also easier to set up and maintain. They also are not affected by slight buckles in the wheel.

The big difference with discs is the control (modulation) you get. Much better feel.

A set of the shimano deore discs can be brought for about œ50 each (œ100 for front and back)

You need to ensure that the frame, forks and hubs are disc compatible.

Ben1234 · June 2007

Might as well, spend money and get some good discs, very easy to maintain and provide some good stopping power, if u set them up right.

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lacuna · June 2007

I have v-brakes on my xc bike as there is absolutely no need for discs. I have an Avid Arch rival on the front and the power is limited only by the grip from the front tyre.

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UK2004 · June 2007

Lots of different views here! My thought was v brakes lighter, if I spend 1k on a hardtail with v brakes will I end up with a really light bike, how are Merlin for putting things together will they doa good job on the partial build they do? Should I go wtih Rock Lobster frame or Merlin?

nicklouse · June 2007

as i said V's are not always lighter. A disc frame can be a lot lighter than a V frame.

now lets look at some figures. a pair of XT V's stock 500g, and lets say a set of hope Minis 160mm front and 140mm rear. about 770g.

only 270g difference. but then you have to look at the wheel build. as there does not need to be a braking surface on the rim........

Oh the fork can lose the V brake mounting hard wear... so it is not to hard to lose the 270g before even looking at the frames.

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nicklouse · June 2007

sub 6kg http://weightweenies.starbike.com/articles.php?ID=94 V brake
sub 9kg http://weightweenies.starbike.com/articles.php?ID=78 disc

Yes a V braked will be lighter but it is also easiy to build a light disc bike.

Also what do you call light? there are sub 10kg fullys with disc on there.

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Andy · June 2007

My Anthem is 23lbs, I'd say that is light [:)]

Edit - Thats with Avid Juicy Carbons on it.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ddoogie

an uber pimp XTC and a marginally less pimp Anthem sitting side by side.I like that a lot
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

nicklouse · June 2007

there is todays light and there is 10 years ago light. my XCer is about the same as your give a pound, and i was not trying as i am not light my self.

got some carbon wheels to have a look at coming soon. will not be using them as they will ..... i dont want to know.

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Andy · June 2007

In fairness the Anthem is still a fairly strong build - RS Reba teams, XTR 717 wheels and XT throughout with Juicy brakes.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ddoogie

an uber pimp XTC and a marginally less pimp Anthem sitting side by side.I like that a lot
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

nicklouse · June 2007

similar spec. rebas and X-7 oro's http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/897985/

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Andy · June 2007

Ohh I like.

Two questions - What does the frame with shock weigh and also what are the scandium bars like? Is there any flex in them?

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ddoogie

an uber pimp XTC and a marginally less pimp Anthem sitting side by side.I like that a lot
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

nicklouse · June 2007

cant remember and a bit.

frame is not that light 2.4kg

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UK2004 · June 2007

Light to me is under 24lbs complete for a hardtail. Am just pricing up a Rock Lobster tig team frame and components, are the Rockshox Sid Team forks good?

gravityengine · June 2007

RS Reba's are a much better option then the Sid's. Yes, the Sid's are lighter, but they are flexy and have been known to leak their oil at the drop of a hat.

Reba's without a doubt, whichever flavour you like, they're all good!

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Are V-brakes a no no

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