What V brake set ups do people run?

[Matt24.]

I am considering a v brake set up front and rear on my bike. Just wondered what people are running and recommeding, cables, pads, calipers and lever set ups?

[Ash-Kennard]

i used to run sd7 levers on deore and sd7 calipers linear slick cables and coustsink pads, was sick witht he deore calipers, the sd7 calipers were abit poo though

[Pete.M]

What Ash says basically, except I use Inspired slim pads at the moment.

[Skoze]

Ultimate arms, xtr carbon booster, xtr lever, xtr cable with a linear inner with heatsink reds (or pads of your choice) was a monster - so stiff on proper vee mounts.

[LiamWood!]

Sd7 arms and lever, unsure what cable, inspired phat pads. It's savage, loves gaps down to front.

[Blake]

I ran Deore arms with SD7 lever and heatsink yellows, was good but get a decent cable because mine was wank and let it down.

[jack1987]

Avid SD7 lever cheap onza arms shimano cable and inspired pads without a grind.

[CC12345678910]

There is some quite good info in this topic here plus I put alot of info in my post

http://www.trials-forum.co.uk/topic/178180-vee-versus-maggie/

[BradJohnson]

Up front I ran shimano acera arms, sd7 lever, Tnn Adm pads.

[ogre]

Sd levers are great value. Avoid avid calipers as they tend to fail on the pin that goes into the mount for spring tension. I ruined many sets... I'm actually using halfords/clarks calipers with no problems... vees are so simple brand isnt to important... decent pads, cable and set up are more important...

[ghostrider88]

Avid sd 7 lever,deore calipers, linear slick cable(aligator super fortress), rockman blues...Best brake setup,period.

[1a2bcio8]

My setup is an XTR lever (I'd use Avid Ultimate if I didn't find them less durable), Avid Ultimate callipers, XTR carbon booster, Odyssey Linear Slic outer cable (lined with Finish Line wet lube), and Odyssey clear pads.

This is pretty much a setup I've stayed with for the last couple of years although I've used most of the setup for many more years because I find it so awesome. The Odyssey pads only cost £6 but make almost no noise yet have significant bite; at least, they do, on my Spank rim.

I can't emphasis more the value of using lube, particularly wet Finish Line, in creating a smooth running brake as well.

It's a shame the Avid Ultimate levers use such a soft metal in comparison to the XTR because the latter are extremely durable. I used to bend Ultimate levers a fair bit and, ultimately (jokes), something would happen around the bearing area and the lever would develop a lot of play. They do feel better than XTR though so if you tend to break parts and have the money then they are an excellent option.

[Sponge]

Ben's hit it right on the head. I'm on the exact same setup except on different pads. I can vouch for the Finish Line Wet lube though, definitely a difference maker. I also used to run Odyssey Linear Slick cables + FLW lube on my flatland bike a few years ago- made a world of difference to the feel of the brake there as well.

Avid SD7 levers are really good too though if you're having trouble finding an XTR lever.

[showurcolours]

On the front:

Standard Zoot arms, calipers, cable and pads (Don't hate, trust me it holds insanely well!)

Back:

Standard zoot levers and cable (got an odyssey linear slick I need to trim down), with SD7 calipers and Phat Vee pads (the blue ones)

Gotta say though, not too happy with the back, definitely needs the new cable installed and a half decent lever

[Matt24.]

OK thanks guys some good info. So what I have made of this is is just get some fairly standard calipers, don't need to be particularly swanky. Any stiffer than any others? I tend to prefer a stiffer feel brake.

sd7 levers are fine. Its all about the cable, odyssey slicks seem to be the recommendation. Pads wise odyssey sound like a reasonable bet. Anyone heard much about the onza pads?

[Pete.M]

OK thanks guys some good info. So what I have made of this is is just get some fairly standard calipers, don't need to be particularly swanky. Any stiffer than any others? I tend to prefer a stiffer feel brake.

From my understanding, you ideally want either Avid ultimate or Shimano Deore calipers. The shimanos should suit a tight budget better.

[Ali C]

go for Shimano LX arms, not so shit that they fall apart, not so good they cost the earth plus they are pretty slim which gives you more room for pads and a wide rim. I'd really recommend TNN LGV pads if you're running a grind, best performing pads I found plus they are some of the narrowest too which also give more room (room to set up brakes is a good send at times).

I'd also highly recommend getting a booster, the brakes won't half as good without one.

[Matt24.]

If you aren't running a grind? what pads, I prefer not to run a grind....

[dann2707]

Whatever you do make sure you get a decent cable! I used a linear slic/k cable on my front vee and it transformed the brake into something incredible.

Spend time setting it up perfectly, so it hits the rim squarely and you'll see how a vee brake is in some aspects much better than a maggy.

[Ali C]

If you aren't running a grind? what pads, I prefer not to run a grind....

I'm not too sure then, I've never run a vee without a grind. I'd say follow Ben's advice though as his back brake worked pretty well when I tried it.

[ghostrider88]

Yeah clear pads like inspired/onza/oddysey are good on smooth, but you have to keep you rim totally clean, at least if you don´t use tar it´s a necessity. If there´s even small amount of dust on your rim, performance decreases rapidly.

[bing]

tektro arms, avid fr5 lever, linear slic cable, skyway BMX pads on a dead grind. best brake I've ever had bar my saints. insane bite and hold. like riding into a brick wall

[Mr Curve]

XTR lever, sd3 calliper and fibrax cable. Not to mention standard pads what i use to run on me Curtis T1 and that was smooth rim with tar .

Edited February 8, 2013 by Mr Curve

[picowatt]

Avid Ultimate arms, SD7 lever Kink BMX Linear cable, Disco Brakes clear pads, on Heatsink V adapters with a generic brake booster