BRAKES - Hate them when they squeal, love them when they stop you from
going over the edge...
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BRAKES SHIMANO XT V's
I finally replaced my cheap Aceras (which works perfectly well for me!) with Shimano XTs
V-brake (yr 2000 model). My cheap Aceras completely worn out after a year of faithful
trying! V-brakes took me a long 5 rides to get comfortable with! Too much power and not
enough modulation for me. Went over
the bar twice during a race because I just couldn't estimate the power! XT-s works also
took me a lot of effort to tune out the squeal! Still using XTR cable and housing. Haven't
change it and still works very well despite the lack of care. Cleaned and lubed 2x so far
but I had it for more than a year.- Oldman |
BRAKES SHIMANO XT V's
There is only one way to go-Shimano XT V-brakes 1997 model. They were the first V-brakes I
have owned and I hope the last (cheapskate me). They have served me well over the last 4
years and 8 sets of pads and 2.5 sets of rims later. It takes time to get used to them but
once broken in do well for a long time. I think its Shimano's plan to make us at least do
a least one endo to remind us of the power of the V! Reasonably cheap (compared to XTRs)
and work as well. Get them and use the money saved to buy beer.
So throw those Rabid Avids, ditch those hopeless Hopes and condemn the dire Dia-Compes,
Shimano rules. -Doc |
BRAKES
SHIMANO XTR V's
Not much different from the XT V’s. XT’s offer better value at around 2/3 the
price. I sold my 1 year old XTRs and didn’t have to pay a single cent for brand new
replacement XTs (they were old stocks on sale though) - Doc
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SHIMANO LEVERS
Again, only use Shimano. Using XTRs but really, all you need are XTs. Works as well and
costs less, but damn, that XTR grey is just sooooo nice looking. - Doc |
SHIMANO V BRAKES
I currently run the 2K XT
version. Their stopping power is so good that I can actually slow down on some of the
downhill sections at BTT. The brakes do make lots of noise when not adjusted with sub
micron precision but it is a great way to tell the guy/gal in front, " Yo! You are so
slow that I even have to brake!" Another important note is that the V brakes
eliminated the need for a brake cable hanger. Remember the old pulleys on stems, cable
hanger on headsets and forks? They are no more! This product not only improve stopping
performance, it is also self contained. 5 tapeworms!!! - Elvis |
BRAKES
Avid V
Got the first generation or OEM ones. They work quite well when properly set up. Setting
them up will probably drive you bonkers. These were the ones that didn’t have the
tiny screw to adjust the distance of the pads from the rims. Think it’s called the
return spring or something, but hey, I’m not a bike geek. You had to use a small
spanner to adjust the nuts that thread onto the brake boss. Had to be constantly adjusted
for pad wear. Total pain in the ass. - Wanker |