Mini Vs on my new Serotta?

[stien]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/11/gy8yna7u.jpg

A bad pic from my phone. Will get a new one up with bar tape soon.

I just bought my first serotta! Its a GP Suisse and I'm currently using it with PR 27c tires on the road. Its a magic carpet ride.

I don't plan on cross racing really, so should I consider mini v brakes instead of cantilever brakes. I feel that they will clean up the lines, allow me to drop the stem a lot (hanger is in the way) and might offer better braking.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

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[4Rings6Stars]

I just set up my new build with TRP CX 8.4s. I've only done a quick spin around the block, but they feel great.

I have some brand new Tektro Mini-Vs if you're interested...

[foon]

Can't be happier with my TRP CX8.4s also. They work great with my 5600 shifters. Nothing's wrong with cantis, but these are super easy to set up for great braking.

The only concern would be vertical tire clearance under the cable. Mine clear 33 knobs just fine but probably can't go much bigger than that.

[sandyrs]

I would give Paul Mini-Motos my unqualified support as well. I just replaced the Frogglegs on my 'cross bike with them because in races, I couldn't get enough stopping power to take descents at reasonable speed (I was having to brake really early and long with the weak cantis). Of course, this is in part a function of my terrible bike handling, but that's a work in progress.

If you're lighter the difference might not be as noticeable but at 180lbs mini-vs make a world of difference for me. They feel like a good road brake.

[ColonelJLloyd]

TRP 8.4x are awesome. I'd definitely consider going with a mini-V if you don't plan to use fenders.

[druptight]

The 8.4's were a little rich for my blood, so I went for the tektro version, and they're a delight (at a third of the price).

[ColonelJLloyd]

Tektro makes a version with 84mm arms?

[dbh]

If you're not doing much cross racing, hard not to go with Mini V's. The only downside is modulation isn't great, but you get much more stopping power and are incredibly easy to set up.

[Pelican]

I'm actually going the opposite direction, selling my TRP CX9's for some canti's. I don't race so I don't need the stopping power, and that handjob just looks lonely hanging there behind some v-brake noodles.

The CX8.4's are made for SRAM levers, and they recommend the CX9's for Shimano levers like you have.

[Hank Scorpio]

I am also in favor of cantis over the 8.4's. The TRPs are just too on/off compared to my old set of Pauls.

[druptight]

Tektro makes a version with 84mm arms?

....85.

http://www.tektro.com/_english/01_products/01_prodetail.php?pid=55&sortname=Brake&sort=1&fid=2

[4Rings6Stars]

Tektro makes a version with 84mm arms?

I just compared my "Tektro Mini-V" arms to my CX8.4s and the arm length appears to be the same / very close.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/0708713D-DC6C-4799-B5D6-790D8F7646B2-1797-000002844891A346_zps3af6c126.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/telepciaka/media/0708713D-DC6C-4799-B5D6-790D8F7646B2-1797-000002844891A346_zps3af6c126.jpg.html)
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/1A2BE5B9-FDD9-442C-A4E2-08799299B368-1797-000002845D245200_zps0d456866.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/telepciaka/media/1A2BE5B9-FDD9-442C-A4E2-08799299B368-1797-000002845D245200_zps0d456866.jpg.html)
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/8F3E6276-613D-44BF-A39B-4E918C330BD0-1797-0000028473B5ACC9_zps291f9314.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/telepciaka/media/8F3E6276-613D-44BF-A39B-4E918C330BD0-1797-0000028473B5ACC9_zps291f9314.jpg.html)

[Oregonic]

If I'm not mistaken, you have the previous generation 10sp Shimano levers. You'll get more pad clearance with the 8.4's or something in the 84-86 arm length. The cx9's that are recommended for Shimano levers are referencing the latest generation of levers, that have more cable pull.

I loved the Tektros. Eventually I went with the Paul's. Stopping power is pretty much the same, but the Paul's hardware is top notch.

[fatallightning]

I'm running this, 80mm arms. http://www.tektro.com/_english/01_products/01_prodetail.php?pid=90&sortname=Brake&sort=1&fid=2

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[Steve in SLO]

IMHO Tektro Mini-Vs are one of cycling's great bargains. At $25-$30 for a bikes worth, you cannot go wrong. The included brake pads are actually pretty good as well.

[jhat]

8.4 with current Shimano levers works just fine. You give up a little bit of power in exchange for a bit more pad clearance. Given how much power these things have, giving up a little bit of power is just fine.

I race them for cross, which is the primary purpose of the bike. if it is wet , which most of my races are, the modulation is fine. It it is dry the modulation is a bit on/off and I would not mind a cantilever in the rear.

[stien]

Thanks gents. I do have 7800 levers. Looks like I'll be upgrading after Xmas is over. I took another pic, will upload it tonight.

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[ColonelJLloyd]

....85.

http://www.tektro.com/_english/01_products/01_prodetail.php?pid=55&sortname=Brake&sort=1&fid=2

Cool. Have you used them with Ergos?

I'm running this, 80mm arms. http://www.tektro.com/_english/01_products/01_prodetail.php?pid=90&sortname=Brake&sort=1&fid=2


With what levers?

[oldpotatoe]

I wouldn't choose any brake because of looks, but Mini Vs stop better, eliminate shudder...no reason to NOT use them.

TRP 8.4, nice brakeset.

[druptight]

Cool. Have you used them with Ergos?

I'm currently using them with silver alloy centaur 10speed levers, and they work very well for stopping, however they do lack some modulation - they're pretty on/off. They're a vast improvement of the brake shudder and lack of stopping power issues I had with my canti brakes. I was also using them with Ultegra 9 speed prior to that - same deal, no issues.

I believe "they" say that the 90mm ones are better suited to new shimano, and the 84/85mm ones are better suited to sram/campy/older shimano.

Only other thing to note if you go the tektro route, is that the noodles they come with don't have a barrel adjuster. I bought a set of barrel adjuster noodles for like $8, all in still spent less than half the price of the TRPs (which do come with the good noodle) but which you can rarely find for under $100.

[ColonelJLloyd]

I'm currently using them with silver alloy centaur 10speed levers, and they work very well for stopping, however they do lack some modulation - they're pretty on/off. They're a vast improvement of the brake shudder and lack of stopping power issues I had with my canti brakes. I was also using them with Ultegra 9 speed prior to that - same deal, no issues.

I believe "they" say that the 90mm ones are better suited to new shimano, and the 84/85mm ones are better suited to sram/campy/older shimano.

Right. And what I've read suggests that those few millimeters can have very noticeable effects on modulation.

[druptight]

Right. And what I've read suggests that those few millimeters can have very noticeable effects on modulation.

Indeed. I stop plenty hard at 85mm, so a 90mm would definitely be overkill for these levers. I'd be curious how an 80 feels, although I don't think it would afford me the clearance I need for my fenders.

[ColonelJLloyd]

I'd like to see a photo of your fendered bike with mini-Vs.

[crossjunkee]

I'm a fan of TRP. Just built up a Crux with TRP Euro's. I have more experience setting up canti's than I do with mini v's. The canti's stop fine, no shudder. I do have to be careful when shouldering the bike, because they stick out so far. You're not racing cross, so shouldering will not be an issue for you and your back. All the brakes mentioned here will stop you just fine. I'd pick the one that looks best! =)

[druptight]

I'd like to see a photo of your fendered bike with mini-Vs.

Only shot I've got handy, but I can take better pics later:

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb465/druptight/photo3-3.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/druptight/media/photo3-3.jpg.html)

[wombatspeed]

as in short (mini v) front and long (canti) rear.

That is what I prefer for cross racing and dirt road rides. I have the TRP8.4 n the front with the Gen3 (new style) Campy Veloce shifters. All the stopping power you ever need and I feel like you get used to the on-off feeling pretty quickly. Plus I went with a regular canti (Tektro CR950) in the rear for modulating speed and extra mud clearance. I felt the 8.4 in the back was overkill and didn't like it as much racing CX.

I also installed 80mm Tektro Mini V's on my daughter's CX bike (with old style shimano levers). Gives more clearance and still has plenty of power.

[druptight]

I also installed 80mm Tektro Mini V's on my daughter's CX bike (with old style shimano levers). Gives more clearance and still has plenty of power.

This is sort of what I figured, based on the seemingly massive stopping power I get with the 85's, where I only have to lightly squeeze for full stopping power. If I were to squeeze down hard, I'd endo - and they're not set up all that close to the rim.

[rrudoff]

I have TRP 8.4 with older Ultegra levers, they are a bit more difficult to modulate then the previous cantis (Deore LX with Swiss Stop), but far more powerful and much quieter. Overall very happy with the change, I use my CX bike for almost all riding including long steep descents and my hands are a lot happier with the extra power without so much squeezing.

[donevwil]

Paul Mini Motos with 35mm fenders. They would definitely clear 45s although not on this frame/fork.

1697872441

[pdmtong]

No issues with Force/8.4s and full fenders on my s-work tri-cross.
These work waaaaay better than the canti's I had.

[stien]

Just bought an A23 wheelset so I can swap on road/cross tires freely without adjusting brakes. That took my V-brake money for now.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/11345557145_d8a79f3c8c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/100128095@N02/11345557145/)
IMG_3335 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/100128095@N02/11345557145/) by XelaSknarf (http://www.flickr.com/people/100128095@N02/), on Flickr