Modern V brake options

[foz]

Just wondering what the options are for V brakes, without looking for older models. Does anyone still make them? All I can find are basic Shimano, tektro, dodgy looking sets probably only suitable for BSOs, and box components which do look nice
Any other options?

 

[ishaw]

Kcnc vb1s are still available, I think there are xt brakes aimed at touring bikes. Paul's. Avid SD 7s. I've got a fair few sets of v brakes lurking in the stash depending on what you are looking for, I might have something.

 

[madjh]

Avid SD7? I don´t think so. Only brake levers. For brake lever cheap Avid, because they use for teir BB5 and BB7 mechanical brake disc, medium KCNC, and top Extralite and Paul.

Top end: Paul.
Medium: XT (at least those last years) KCNC.
Low-medium, shimano Deore, Alivio, Box One, some CNC chinese stuff like little pro (I have been looking for a nice set but I choose some old Ach Rival https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/fast-what-fast-rock-roll-around-1995-what-a-surprise-.435139/ )
Low: I will not choose any of that stuff, works quite bad (promax, some low end tektro, xlc etc)

 

[foz]

Thanks for the suggestions. There are more options than I was aware of! They would be for my Dave Yates tourer which I am rebuilding. I have suntour XC Pro cantis with the SE rear and tektro drop bar levers. It might just be my lack of skills with setting up canti brakes, but I'm not convinced by them, at least on the workstand (bike isn't finished yet and I haven't actually test ridden them). Way back when, I had a set of cane creek direct curve V brakes, and dia compe 287V drop bar V brake levers, which were great. I sold those a long time ago though. Am considering a set of Vs instead of the cantis, but couldn't find many options. I definitely don't want cheap, nasty, BSO level stuff. But dont want fancy CNC either. Reliable, strong, easy to setup are priority. The shimano XT look like just the job, although they are nowhere near as good looking as the suntour cantis!
I will get the cantis adjusted and test them, I would like to use them if possible but so far I'm just not feeling any love for them so am keeping my options open!

 

[Takingabreak]

Something that might be worth considering are mini v's. They are compatible with road brake levers whereas full size v brakes will require specific v brake levers due to the cable pull ratio.

The other option might be a better canti brake - shimano cx50 canti brakes are supposed to work well though I have not yet tried them

 

[KermitGKona88]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294455007709?hash=item448ee2d9dd:g:cBYAAOSwj~1hZQfF

 

[Takingabreak]

I have used these https://www.ebay.com/itm/SHIMANO-BR...T-ARCH-SIZE-90MM-EBRR353RX42SLP-/143878845564
which have a slightly longer arm than the tektros but still shorter than full size v's. The only thing to be aware of with mini v's is that shorter arms mean the straddle wire limits the size of tyre that can be used and if you are building a touring bike you will likely have mudguards fitted. Of course the straddle wire needs to be able to clear the mudguards (though I used then with the rubber sleeve on the straddle wire touching the mudguards and it worked just fine)

 

[Rotorhead]

New Shimano XTs (black)

I bought nw Avid SD7s (which are great) 3-4 years ago. Don't appear to make them anymore. I had no idea this was so difficult.

 

[foz]

I am using 26" wheels with aprox. 2" tyres, so "standard" MTB size. Mini Vs won't clear, even with no mudguards. Tektro make some nice drop bar V brake levers (RL520), and Dia Compe still make a couple of models too.

 

[Takingabreak]

Will you be creating a build thread? I'd be interested to see which parts you use as I also have a Yates 26" wheel size touring / expedition frame waiting patiently for me to start as my next project