V-brakes in place of cantis?

[sjbraun]

It's time to get my unridden in 10 years mountain bike out of mothballs. I've committed to riding 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo in February. I have a 1995 Specialized Stumpjumper hanging in the bike room. Over the years, I've cannibalized the bike for other projects. Among other things, I find myself in need of brakes. I can get a pretty good price on some XT level V-brakes. I think I can use them on my canti designed Stumpjumper. Could someone more knowledgeable than me confirm that V-brakes and cantis are interchangeable?

Thanks

[AndrewS]

They'll mount on the frame just fine, but you'll either need different levers or some sort of adapter cam, because V-brakes use a lot more cable than canti's. (This is the reason cantis are still used on cyclocross bikes - STI levers don't pull enough cable for V-brakes.)

Not really an issue, but your frame mounted cable stops also become redundant with V-brakes, since the housing goes all the way to the brake. But that's just aesthetics.

[Peter P.]

AndrewS is entirely correct. You'll need to get V-brake compatible levers as well. You won't need either the front or rear cable hanger. Your canti-studs will work.

[srice]

Get some Travel Agents - I just added a pair to a MTB with v-brakes in order to increase cable travel. I am very happy with the results.

[RPS]

.

[Ken Robb]

My 1989 MB-3 is still happy with the Shimano cantis it was born with. Your bike will be too.

[lemondsteel]

Why go to V brakes? Just because they're easier to adjust??? Cantilevers have ALWAYS stopped me fine. I have tried V brakes and never understood what all the rave was about. Granted cantis take alot longer to adjust to get the good snap thay can deliver. Go back to the workhorse Shimano LX or XT cantis.

[sjbraun]

"Why go to V-brakes?"

Because I need some brakes and managed to score a pair NOS XTR v-brakes for $60.

[AndrewS]

Well, score some Travel Agents or new levers and you're set. Hopefully that won't be a painful "hidden cost".

[gdw]

Don't waste the cash on Travel Agents when you buy Avid Speed Dial 7s for less off of Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-AVID-SPEED-DIAL-7-GRAPHITE-BLK-PAIR-BRAKE-LEVERS-/330478011609?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf20644d9

[woolly]

Don't waste the cash on Travel Agents when you buy Avid Speed Dial 7s for less off of Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-AVID-SPEED-DIAL-7-GRAPHITE-BLK-PAIR-BRAKE-LEVERS-/330478011609?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf20644d9

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