At the moment I have Tektro V-brakes fitted to my bike which are looking a bit tatty and would like to replace them with either Avid Single Digit 7 or Shimano Deore XT M760 brakes.
I have read on the web that the Shimano M760 brakes are prone to squealing and can become 'grabby' when the brake is activated, has anyone come across this problem with the Shimano brakes?
Would appreciate any feedback on either brake system or are there other brands of V-brakes worth looking at?
The bike is used for day-to-day riding and also on forest trails nothing too mad but would like to have a decent set of brakes.
At the moment I have Tektro V-brakes fitted to my bike which are looking a bit tatty and would like to replace them with either Avid Single Digit 7 or Shimano Deore XT M760 brakes.
I have read on the web that the Shimano M760 brakes are prone to squealing and can become 'grabby' when the brake is activated, has anyone come across this problem with the Shimano brakes?
Any brand of V-brake can be grabby and squeal if it isn't set up right or you have contaminated rims/blocks. I do find that current Shimano blocks seem to be very soft and don't last five minutes. I have Shimano Vs on my commuter (not XT though), and they worked very well and very smoothly with the original blocks whilst they lasted, and still work really well with the KoolStop blocks now fitted.
At the moment I have Tektro V-brakes fitted to my bike which are looking a bit tatty and would like to replace them with either Avid Single Digit 7 or Shimano Deore XT M760 brakes.
I have read on the web that the Shimano M760 brakes are prone to squealing and can become 'grabby' when the brake is activated, has anyone come across this problem with the Shimano brakes?
The XT brakes use a parallel push mechanic. While this means that the blocks will always hit the rim in parallel, the brakes themselves are a bit heavier. The old LX series around 2005 also hat this parallel technology - but they returned to the traditional V-Brake form.
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Would appreciate any feedback on either brake system or are there other brands of V-brakes worth looking at? The bike is used for day-to-day riding and also on forest trails nothing too mad but would like to have a decent set of brakes.
I've been using the simple Deore V-Brakes for about 4 years now. These are perfectly suitable for day-to-day riding and the occasional light trail. I updated the break later with a cartridge system from Aztec, which is compatible with the Shimano cartridge system. If you prefer to have cartridges from the start, have a look at the LX 580 brakes or the Avid Single Digit 7, you mentioned. Regarding the existing Tektro V-Brakes. Maybe it's worth maintaining them a bit - cleaning and greasing. And you can update those with a cartridge and good brake pads as well. It takes a while to find the right blocks for your rim. Some blocks "eat" your rim very quickly, others have not enough grip. I've had good experience with KoolStops as well, but they are sometimes difficult to find. Currently i'm using the cartridge inserts from Aztec.
Any brand of V-brake can be grabby and squeal if it isn't set up right or you have contaminated rims/blocks. I do find that current Shimano blocks seem to be very soft and don't last five minutes. I have Shimano Vs on my commuter (not XT though), and they worked very well and very smoothly with the original blocks whilst they lasted, and still work really well with the KoolStop blocks now fitted.
No doubt taking care installing and setting the brakesup properly pays dividends, will still consider getting a set of Shimano Vs but will also opt for using KoolStop with them.
I've been using the simple Deore V-Brakes for about 4 years now. These are perfectly suitable for day-to-day riding and the occasional light trail. I updated the break later with a cartridge system from Aztec, which is compatible with the Shimano cartridge system. If you prefer to have cartridges from the start, have a look at the LX 580 brakes or the Avid Single Digit 7, you mentioned.
Will check on the LX580 brakes and also the rest of the Shimano range although at the moment I am still leaning towards the Avid Single Digit 7. Will have to do more searching on Google to see what reviews I can turn up on the various models.
Whilst checking through cycling section on eBay also came across some brakes manufactured by Cane Creek, Direct Curve 3 and Direct Curve 5 which look a bit different from the V-brakes.
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Regarding the existing Tektro V-Brakes. Maybe it's worth maintaining them a bit - cleaning and greasing.
The front Tektro brake was damaged when my bike was recenlty stolen! (Although it was recovered within days.) Hence the reason for looking for a set of replacement brakes.
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And you can update those with a cartridge and good brake pads as well. It takes a while to find the right blocks for your rim. Some blocks "eat" your rim very quickly, others have not enough grip. I've had good experience with KoolStops as well, but they are sometimes difficult to find. Currently i'm using the cartridge inserts from Aztec.
I have found some online stockists (on eBay) for KoolStops and Aztec cartridges/inserts so will check them out.
