Can I fit V-brakes to my 1993 Saracen?

[drystonepaul]

Here are some useful articles about setting up your cantis correctly:

http://www.drystonepaul.com/maintenance ... r_1993.jpg

http://www.drystonepaul.com/maintenance ... r_1995.jpg

 

[PurpleFrog]

you can use a set of Problem Solver "Travel Agent" to use your existing canti (short pull) levers with V-brakes.

..But the results are notoriously mediocre. Most people would say that you'd be better off tweaking your cantis.

 

[PurpleFrog]

No, I've spoken too soon. There just isn't the clearance at the very back of my top-tube to fit one of those thingamajigs.

Use the seat tube. Or even the post?

 

[JohnH]

Here are some useful articles about setting up your cantis correctly:

http://www.drystonepaul.com/maintenance ... r_1993.jpg

http://www.drystonepaul.com/maintenance ... r_1995.jpg

Thanks for the links, DryStonePaul -- that's really helpful.

Use the seat tube. Or even the post?

I thought of that, but then the direction of the cable stops would be pointing up-down rather than forward-back... :?

 

[drystonepaul]

I think that tweaking your cantis is the way forward, but if you really must have V's then you could run a full outer cable from the brake lever to the V-brake on the rear and zip tie it to the top tube.

But as I say; tweak your cantis...

 

[JohnH]

you can use a set of Problem Solver "Travel Agent" to use your existing canti (short pull) levers with V-brakes. They are installed at the brake arms, and you'll also need new cables, as you need more than you'll currently have. There's also in-line versions.

Thank you for the links RockiMtn; I'm having trouble visualising how these "travel agents" would install on my bike... :?

 

[JohnH]

I think that tweaking your cantis is the way forward, but if you really must have V's then you could run a full outer cable from the brake lever to the V-brake on the rear and zip tie it to the top tube.

But as I say; tweak your cantis...

Okay, I'll do it!

 

[Easy_Rider]

Here are some useful articles about setting up your cantis correctly:

http://www.drystonepaul.com/maintenance ... r_1993.jpg

http://www.drystonepaul.com/maintenance ... r_1995.jpg

I remember these so good.
Canti's are as good as v's in my opinion, v's were only invented because people found it difficult to set up cantis. I used to spend ages tweaking the angles and toe in, but when you hit the spot they are brilliant, and i always go for the "mushy" feel, because then you know you are "levering"

 

[RockiMtn]

you can use a set of Problem Solver "Travel Agent" to use your existing canti (short pull) levers with V-brakes.

..But the results are notoriously mediocre. Most people would say that you'd be better off tweaking your cantis.

how are they mediocre? they do what they are designed for. i have them set up on my Cirrus with a set of vintage avid ultimate canti levers and xtr m960 v-brakes. before having them, my brakes worked but was on the soft side. now it reviles a proper vbrake lever/brake setup.

JohnH, i'll post some pics of my setup when i get a chance.

 

[PurpleFrog]

Here are some useful articles about setting up your cantis correctly:

http://www.drystonepaul.com/maintenance ... r_1993.jpg

http://www.drystonepaul.com/maintenance ... r_1995.jpg

I remember these so good.
Canti's are as good as v's in my opinion, v's were only invented because people found it difficult to set up cantis. I used to spend ages tweaking the angles and toe in, but when you hit the spot they are brilliant, and i always go for the "mushy" feel, because then you know you are "levering"

After a lot of thought and reading and thinking about the bikes I've had with cantis and Vs behaved, I'd agree with the above but add that there's another important difference. As you squeeze harder with cantis the mechanical advantage - the degree to which your squeeze on the levers is magnified at the rim - decreases. With Vs the mechanical advantage is constant.