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Hi
I’m in the process of renovating a MTB I bought off eBay, which I plan to use as a commuter bike for leaving at the station.
The bike was missing the front V brakes, and oddly also the mounting posts. So I've bought a new set of Vs and a pair of mounting posts off eBay.
The problem is when I bolt the brakes on to the post - if I tighten the bolt up all the way, it effectively clamps the brake arm onto the post so the arm can’t move. If I back the bolt off slightly the brake then pivots freely.
When I fitted new Vs on another bike , I don’t recall having this problem – I just tighten the bolt up which still allowed for the brake arm to pivot freely.
Should I be concerned? Is down to incorrect bolt or post lengths? Will my ‘backed off’ bolts and some Loctite be sufficient?
Thanks
No, the bolts should be tight. I have had this problem before with slightly too short canti studs. Some V brakes need a tiny bit more length than cantilever brakes, so some studs come up a little short. Only solution is to try some longer ones. A proper old school bike shop might have a few you can measure before buying.
*edit - or thinking back to V brake design, some need a small washer on the bolt that clamps up against a smaller diameter middle piece, but leaves the outside free to pivot.
What V's?
Shimano ones have their own pivot, so the brake post bolt should be tight, but its quite a slim bolt head, so its only clamping on the inner part of the V Brake.
Sounds like the posts are too short.
Can you file anything off the V-brake body or change the insert tube to something shorter ?
Thanks for replies,
They’re cheapo unbranded brakes. I can’t recall off hand if there’s an internal pivot – will have a look tonight.
I’ll see if there's anything I can file down
If cheapo ones, they probably just use the post to pivot on and use a brass bushing.