So I have a minor conundrum of sorts.
I'm in the middle of assembling a SSCX bike and I've gotten a bit 'handy' with the frame already (late 80's cheap steel specialized job), moving the rear brake bosses up to accommodate a 622 rim, welded a nut onto the (integrated) seat collar, grinding off all the gear cable stops and rattle canning it a lovely boring black.
The idea of buzzing all the un-used stops off was to leave the bike looking simple and clean without too many unnecessary lumps protruding...
I had left the Top tube routing for a rear Canti-brake in place though (a cable stop and a little integrated noodle thingy at the top of the seat tube) and I'd sourced an Avid Shorty to use on the back, I was going to modify the rear Tektro RL520 (liner pull drop bar levers) so it had appropriate pull for a canti and leave the front lever 'long pull' so it would work with the one V-brake I'd found in the spares box, I was settled on the idea of a better front brake and a crappy rear one... All good.
Until I went and found the matching rear V-brake in another spares box today, and now I can't decide if I should fit it, and if I do just run a full outer, or buy a clamp on cable stop for the rear (which I'll probably catch every time I shoulder the bike) and whether or not I should just take a grinder to that little canti noodle and stop to tidy the frame or just leave it.
Full sized, MTB V-brakes both ends saves me doing the lever mod and should mean better braking and more clearance Right... But then I've got to piss about with the brake cable, and I kind of wanted to make it at least look neat, if not particularly sexy...
Just Unghh! I've got it Painted now, I was ready to assemble stuff...
So WWSTWD??
I'd keep the Avid Shorty on the rear, try and find one for the front, and swap the levers for some road pull ones which should only cost about £8. V-brakes don't work well on really narrow road rims in my experience.
Wheels are built, rims are 19mm which should be wide enough
I've got some RL340's and a travel agent which was my original plan, but then I took the RL520s off my Gravel bike and figured why not, then spotted the other V-brake and now I'm torn...
Mud clearance should be better with Proper V-brakes too right?
Could you not just run full outer through the stop by filling off the end?
cookeaa
SubscriberMud clearance should be better with Proper V-brakes too right?
IME, it's not that important. I replaced cantis- which I hate probably more than I should- with cheap BMX vees and yes they had less mud clearance, but it didn't matter much because they still weren't the limiting factor, the frame and fork were. The only time it really seemed to make a difference was with stringy grass/similar, because they catch on brakes and cables more.
I'm sure there are times in cross racing when just about any insane mud related condition can occur though, that's half the point
Despite growing up with cantis, when my pompino came with them I had to get rid, awful, awful things for setup and the braking was pretty shoddy, change of pad may have improved functionality but not the faff. I stuck mini-Vs on them. I'd prob do the same again.
sorry just googled the shorty, they aren't stud canti and look about as easy to setup as mini-Vs. So depends on the power, whichever works best with your current setup.
Could you not just run full outer through the stop by filling off the end?
That was my initial thought, but then I really just don't want to keep on attacking it with the grinder/file and respraying bits, and I kind of don't want the inevitable zip tie(s) flapping about further along the top tube I sort of wanted it to look neat (at least to start with). plus I sort of prefer sectional outers, but meh...
I've got a feeling this is what I'm going to end up doing though isn't it... Path of least resistance and all.
Anyone want a spare cantilever brake?
&
full outer
Fixed gear no rear brake.
Sorted.
I've already got a fixed bike as well 🙂
Nope I think the decision is made, That's my weekend sorted then...
It's done.
Rolling up and down the street It's an alright bike. The V-brakes seem to work pretty well...