I have a 1990's GT which has a rear U-brake which is a bugger to adjust.
Is it possible to fit V-Brake studs into the mounting points and a V-Brake assembly or can I get some clamp-on v-brake mountings to fix on the rear seat stays? If the latter where can I get the mountings from/
Thanks
From what I remember of U-brakes a stick through the spoke was a far more reliable method of braking than trying to rely on the dreaded U.
😉
Unfortunately there is no easy way to retrofit V brakes to U brake studs as,
- They're in the wrong place in relation to the rim.
- The diameter of the posts are too large.
- There are no spring anchor holes.
You could try mounting a V-brake on top of your seatstays though using something like [url= http://www.danscomp.com/489051.php?cat=PARTS ]this[/url].
What's the rear dropout like? You could get an A2Z adaptor and fit disc brake on the back? Certain old GT's had quite flat dropout areas and ideal for adapting. I had on on an old Zaskar to good effect.
Does the same apply with centre-pull cantis? I have an old Spesh Hard Rock from 20 years ago and the brakes are next-to-useless. I wondered if I could fit V brakes. Unfortunately I can't just "have-a-go" because the Spesh lives overseas at the in-laws. I don't want to take v-brakes over if they aren't going to fit.
As sootyandjim said..
But I converted an early '90s GT some years ago by cutting off the u-brake bosses and welding on some some new ones at the correct place for the v-brake. I got the new bosses from Ribble I think - any frame builder should be able to supply them.
Stilltortoise, I swapped my old GT over to V-brakes no problem - apart from the back one doesn't work as well as it could due to some slightly wonky cable routing. I'd give the cantis another go, get new pads and try running the straddle wire lower, it makes a big difference to the amount of modulation and power.
A properly set up U-brake is the most powerful rim brake available.
Service the brake and set it up properly, you'll be fine. You may be able to get a new one, otherwise it's new bosses or a disc brake.
"A properly set up U-brake is the most powerful rim brake available."
I'm fairly sure thats not true, even the expensive one on my BMX is no match for cheep V-s!
Stilltortoise,
V-'s and canti's use the same mounts so should be no problems.
Cheers. Worth a punt then. I'd forgotten - and don't like - four finger braking!
Stilltortoise,
V-'s and canti's use the same mounts so should be no problems
No sorry they are not in the same position the studs are higher in that the pivot studs are mounted above the pads unlike canti's
I know this because I had a Scaracen Trekker with front and rear U brakes and they were horrid