alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I have a lightweight Scandium MTB frame, ready to build up. So far, all I have for it are XTR V-brakes and XTR 9-speed shifters, brand new, bought about 4 years back.

I've recently decided to move it forward a bit, but V-brake WHEELS seem very thin on the ground, with only cheapo ones seemingly available.

The Zohan

what a b@stard. I had similar problems recently. i took my wheels in and they said that they do not work on wooden spokes and that i would have to use a 'tubeless' tyre - not a solid rubber one!

Suggest you keep shopping around although my hydraulic brakes are superb and way beyond the best v brakes for performance and feel/feedback and i would not go back to v brakes!

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, yeah, I LIKE older technology. My XTR Octalink crankset is FAR better than the modern ones with the axle as part of it.

TBH, if it's going to be a ball-ache, I'll take frame and bits to France and upgrade one of the two supermarket bikes I have there.

The Zohan

Try a ring round (or on line?) of bike shops someone will still have some of the correct rims knocking about.

Agreed XT and XTR are quality kit!

http://www.philcorleycycles.co.uk/index.php/product
http://www.tredz.co.uk/default.aspx

birchy2010

iTrader: (12)

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Default.aspx


Spec your own wheels, thats what i used to do, V brake rims now tend to be heavier and aimed more at trials so are spec'd to take the hydro rim brakes. i've not used rim brakes apart from my BMX in like 3 years now after moving to hope 4 pot discs. best thing i ever did for my bike.

Coffin Dodger

As above ChainReaction or Merlin Cycles will build you wheels with rims including braking surfaces to your specification.

Whilst I still have V brakes on my Marin if I were buying a new bike for similar cost I'd expect it to have hydraulic disks now

BOB.T

The thought of adjusting V brakes fills me with dread!

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

A darn sight easier than FITTING Hope calipers, with their shims, from scratch!

And Hope PADS are awful: they rust, and the pad material comes away from the backing plate.

I use aftermarket pads now on my XC4's. EBC, in fact.

Coffin Dodger

It's easy

BOB.T

I've got Formulas on my Lappy and they've been both superb and faultless...aside from me bending the rear disc, presumably whilst in the car.

BOB.T

Maybe it's me with V brakes then?

I could never get both sides to pull evenly, the pads to sit square and the amount of tyres I've killed with blocks that move around! And when they do 'work' they're crap!

The thing I love about discs is that as soon as you pull the lever, they work. There's no moment of panic whilst you clear water from the rim with no retardation at all

andys

Would be careful using CRC at the mo

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03...ore_purchases/

I have used Melrin is the past for wheels and they have been spot on

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+S...+Disc/list.htm

austinwrx

a local bike shop will probably have an older rim in the back somewhere.

I've still got v brakes on an old mtb that I occasionally use. I recently needed a new wheel for that as the brakes had dished the rim and it was about to explode.


discs are superb, in winter and mud I wil admit, but they need a lot or messing about with and me and my mates get through rotors and pads at an extrodinary rate.

not a lot of leeway when yr disc bends etc and yr pads start to bind either.

great, but also lots of hassle.

ChrisB

Aye, discs all the way for stopping in all weathers.

The Peaks and The Clywds can eat pads though...

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Well, I have Hope XC4 discs on a VERY light bike, (sub 22lbs), and also ride one here with XTR v's.

Personally, I prefer the V's