Mini V brakes for touring?

[waychel]

So, I'm about to put down a deposit on a touring rig. I was all set to have the builder add disc mounts (for BB7s), but I'm now intrigued by the possibility of running mini V brakes.

Have any of you ever used mini V brakes on your touring bikes? If I were a dinosaur, I'd be a hackosaurus rex, and I find adjusting cantilevers and disc brakes to be a real pain. So I'm thinking that mini Vs might be the way to go.

I'd want to run 28c or 32c tires with full coverage fenders (SKS Chromoplastics?). Would I have clearance problems? Would using adjustable noodles be necessary?

[Peter P.]

The key is getting brake levers which move the proper amount of cable and thus pad travel, to provide sufficient power and modulation. I think any framebuilder that's installed cantilever brake bosses should be able to recommend a compatible pair.

Mini-V's are a good choice since you won't suffer the brake chatter or squeal which is common with cantilever brakes on 'cross bikes. This problem is solved by putting a cable stop on the fork crown or using a beefier fork. Otherwise, there's nothing wrong with canti's as a brake.

[AngryScientist]

i definitely like the idea better than discs.

for a touring rig, where you could be miles from help, and have miles to go for a successful trip, i want to be able to easily tear my brake system apart. bend/warp a disk - game over.

[sg8357]

Pick none of the above.

I used Tektro 556 dual pivots on a '83 Trek 620,
pads were near the top of the slots.
SKS 45mm fenders with Gran Bois 30mm tires (31+ actual)

http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/tektro-r556/15-152

[waychel]

What's the stopping power like on those R556 brakes? A quick internet search shows that some people think they are a bit on the flexy side.

And what do people think about Paul Racers for touring?

Still thinking about Mini Vs though...they seem so easy. And these Tektro CX9s are dead sexy.


http://www.bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/trp-cx9-cyclocross-mini-v-brake01.jpg

[skijoring]

I know the mini v's have plenty of room to clear the 45mm width fenders, both the Tektro variant and the Cane Creek ones. Not sure how they function, but a friend of mine likes 'em.

[jlwdm]

For my all around Spectrum, road bike designed for fender, I am going with the Paul Racer Mediums.

This is a thread from VSalon that touches on some of these brake issues:

Cantis on Road Bikes (http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/f2/canti-brakes-road-16794.html)

Jeff

[Mike748]

I have the 556's on my singlespeed town bike. I find them far more flexy than the Shimano R650's I had on there previously, but then they are 1/2 the price. I'm using compound action Dia Compe versa levers which have lots of oomph.