Mountain Bikes · Public discussion

Decent, inexpensive brakes

Alpe · 2003-06-13T23:00:08+00:00

Hi, Bike: 2002 Iron Horse Desperado I've just upgraded my rear brake from a no-name v-brake to a Deore LX V-Brake, and the levers with similar Shimano V-Brake ones. The new setup feels more responsive, but the problem is that there isn't any significant improvement in braking power. And even with a stiffer cable, the brake still feels mushy, i.e. the lever continues to sink after the pads have gripped the rim. I have tried Kool Stop pads instead of the stock V-Brake ones, and they do stop better, but because they are softer, the spongyness factor is even greater. One other thing: When I squeeze the brake hard, I can catually see the chainstays bend under the tension. This doesn't look good, and it probably contributes to the mushy brake feel, so I am considering adding a brake arch. Do you think this is a good idea, and if so, can you recommend a good arch? (I know Blackspire makes one). Can anyone recommend a good brake solution? I am looking for something under $100. Thanks, -Aleko

Started by Alpe · 13 June 2003 · Last activity 15 June 2003 · 7 posts · 930 views

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01 / Original postDecent, inexpensive brakesAlpe · 13 Jun 2003 02 / This pagePosts 1–7Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #7Patrick Heinze · 15 Jun 2003

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Original section: Mountain Bikes
Published: 13 June 2003
Last activity: 15 June 2003
Original author: Alpe
Posts: 7
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 930
Views / 30 days: 0
Topics: Cantilever and V-brakes Spoke count

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Original post
Alpe
Archived post

13 June 2003, 23:00 UTC #1

Hi,
Bike: 2002 Iron Horse Desperado
I've just upgraded my rear brake from a no-name v-brake to a Deore LX V-Brake, and the levers with
similar Shimano V-Brake ones. The new setup feels more responsive, but the problem is that there
isn't any significant improvement in braking power. And even with a stiffer cable, the brake still
feels mushy, i.e. the lever continues to sink after the pads have gripped the rim.
I have tried Kool Stop pads instead of the stock V-Brake ones, and they do stop better, but because
they are softer, the spongyness factor is even greater.
One other thing: When I squeeze the brake hard, I can catually see the chainstays bend under the
tension. This doesn't look good, and it probably contributes to the mushy brake feel, so I am
considering adding a brake arch. Do you think this is a good idea, and if so, can you recommend a
good arch? (I know Blackspire makes one).
Can anyone recommend a good brake solution? I am looking for something under $100.
Thanks,
-Aleko

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Bomba
Archived post

14 June 2003, 00:00 UTC #2

alpe said:
One other thing: When I squeeze the brake hard, I can catually see the chainstays bend under the
tension. This doesn't look good, and it probably contributes to the mushy brake feel, so I am
considering adding a brake arch. Do you think this is a good idea, and if so, can you recommend a
good arch? (I know Blackspire makes one).
If you can see your stays bending, then yes, it might be an idea to get a booster. Have a look
around, there are loads.
Bear in mind though, that most of your braking comes from the front.

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Technician
Archived post

14 June 2003, 01:30 UTC #3

bomba <[email hidden]> spoke thusly...
Quoted message said:
alpe said:
One other thing: When I squeeze the brake hard, I can catually see the chainstays bend under the
tension. This doesn't look good, and it probably contributes to the mushy brake feel, so I am
considering adding a brake arch. Do you think this is a good idea, and if so, can you recommend
a good arch? (I know Blackspire makes one).
If you can see your stays bending, then yes, it might be an idea to get a booster. Have a look
around, there are loads.
Bear in mind though, that most of your braking comes from the front.
true, but try a steep rocky decent with only the front brakes. makes for an enlightening ride. 'ats
what i did back when i did that photographic ride. camera in one hand, i rode it all out (on one
wheel for some decents).
I think the rear brakes are only really there to take some of the work off the front brake so it can
be held with less power and allow the wheel to turn a little more free, thus maintaining control.
--
~Travis
megalink.net~farmers

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Alpe
Archived post

14 June 2003, 02:30 UTC #4

"bomba" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
If you can see your stays bending, then yes, it might be an idea to get a booster. Have a look
around, there are loads.
Will look into that for sure. Thanks.
Quoted message said:
Bear in mind though, that most of your braking comes from the front.
Oh, I realize that. The reason I am focusing on the rear brake is that I do a lot of trials as well
as XC. In trials you spend a lot of time balancing on the rear wheel, often in dangerous places 🙂.
I need a _very_ strong rear brake to keep the rear wheel steady, especially in wet conditions.
-Aleko

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Caspar Lugtmeie
Archived post

14 June 2003, 10:30 UTC #5

Magura HS33
"alpe" <[email hidden]> schreef in bericht
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:

"bomba" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
If you can see your stays bending, then yes, it might be an idea to get a booster. Have a look
around, there are loads.
Will look into that for sure. Thanks.
Quoted message said:
Bear in mind though, that most of your braking comes from the front.
Oh, I realize that. The reason I am focusing on the rear brake is that I

do
Quoted message said:
a lot of trials as well as XC. In trials you spend a lot of time balancing on the rear wheel,
often in dangerous places 🙂. I need a _very_ strong

rear
Quoted message said:
brake to keep the rear wheel steady, especially in wet conditions.
-Aleko

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Chris
Archived post

14 June 2003, 23:00 UTC #6

"alpe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Oh, I realize that. The reason I am focusing on the rear brake is that I

do
Quoted message said:
a lot of trials as well as XC. In trials you spend a lot of time balancing on the rear wheel,
often in dangerous places 🙂. I need a _very_ strong

rear
Quoted message said:
brake to keep the rear wheel steady, especially in wet conditions.
-Aleko
Get the Avid mechanical disc for under $70 then, my friend.
Chris

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Patrick Heinze
Archived post

15 June 2003, 01:00 UTC #7

Caspar Lugtmeier & Eva Skotarczak said:
Magura HS33
Agreed! But may you want to replace the originally provided (black) brakepads with the red Coolstop
pads which are also available from Magura. Way better performance.
hth Patrick

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