Hi all!
A few random questions about direct-pulls ("V-brakes"😉. I'd like to
upgrade both the pads and the brakes themselves:
The bike in question is a lowracer 'bent (see the picture at the top
of http://hebb.mit.edu/~ben/bike). I currently have really impossible
Odyssey "A-brakes": the only way to adjust the centering is to screw
one brake on to the boss more tightly; and the distal end of the brake
cable is attached using an annoying screw-on cylinder that mangles the
cable so badly that _any_ further cable adjustment requires installing
a new cable!
1) New brakes: Good ol' lowracers--the chain is routed right next to
the brakes, both fore and aft. That means that at least the front
brake must be narrower than normal so that the chain does not rub
against the brake lever--see the closeup at
http://hebb.mit.edu/~ben/bike/front_brake_closeup.JPG, and both
front and rear need a left-side cable exit. That is the one
redeeming feature of the Odysseys. Any recommendations on better-
designed brakes that might serve? At least I promise never to run
fat, knobby tires (1.75" slicks now, probably 1.5" slicks next).
2) New pads: stopping power is important--there's no way I can throw
myself over the handlebars by braking too hard--but wet-weather
performance is not absolutely crucial (I live in Colorado).
My reading of http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/brakeshoes.html
suggests that the KoolStop dual compound has less stopping power
but less potential for squealing than the all-salmon. Is that the
only difference? I love quiet brakes in spite of their lack of an
audible warning system: when would I want the all-salmons and when
the dual-compounds?
3) I just picked up a set of Avid refillaboe-cartridge-type pads and
holders. This seems to be a great idea for pads that need to be
replaced frequently, but the cost saving is fairly minor and
adjusting brakes isn't a huge deal. Are there other advantages,
such as a full metal jacket giving more control over the pad?
(ie. should I pick up another pair of these or ditch the ones I'm
running?)
4) If I want re-usable holders, where do I buy a good pair? What
style is "best" (for some value of "best"...)? The ones I own are
Avid (presumably Shimano-style?) (I got them with a secondhand
brakeset in an experiment that otherwise failed on account of
problems (1) above).
5) I assume that the fact that the brake pads are curved for a 26" or
700c wheel, whereas I'm running a 20" front, doesn't really matter?
Many thanks for reading!
-Ben
Please excuse my email-address mangling...
--
Ben Pearre http://hebb.mit.edu/~ben PGP: CFDA6CDA
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