Strange Cycles V-brakes

[novaturient]

Does anyone know anything about the short pull v-brakes (the ones that work with road levers), that were cnc'd by Strange Cycles?

I have what seems to be an early version, with straight post canti style pad holders, on a frame I purchased recently here on the forum, but I have no idea how to set them up with any toe-in to eliminate the squealing banshee effect. Anyone have experience with these, or have any documentation to share?

Thanks a bunch in advance

[novaturient]

found this reference with a pic of a similar version with threaded posts...
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/strangebrakes.asp

[bfd]

These look like fancy mini-v brakes. Cable goes in one end, goes across to the other end where there's a binding bolt? Shouldn't be any more difficult?!

If it is too difficult to set up, may be put up on ebay as a "collector's item" and get yourself a set of tektro mini-v brakes like these:

http://bikehabit.blogspot.com/2010/10/trp-cx9-and-tektro-926-mini-v-brakes.html

Good Luck!

[Chance]

These look like fancy mini-v brakes. Cable goes in one end, goes across to the other end where there's a binding bolt? Shouldn't be any more difficult?!

Based on different picture there are differences.

The top cable appears to be a permanent link of fixed length (at least once set up). The brake cable housing that comes from brake lever ends at triangle on top, with the cable continuing to the bottom where it attaches to side of arm. When the brake cable is pulled it rotates that little top triangle which then pulls on the top link drawing the two brake arms together. Brake leverage seems to be altered by shape of triangle.

On older brake the triangle is one solid piece. On picture in peterwhite page the triangle looks like it may articulate at pivot point. If so that would make both brakes different in operation and require different set up.

[bfd]

Based on different picture there are differences.

The top cable appears to be a permanent link of fixed length (at least once set up). The brake cable housing that comes from brake lever ends at triangle on top, with the cable continuing to the bottom where it attaches to side of arm. When the brake cable is pulled it rotates that little top triangle which then pulls on the top link drawing the two brake arms together. Brake leverage seems to be altered by shape of triangle.

On older brake the triangle is one solid piece. On picture in peterwhite page the triangle looks like it may articulate at pivot point. If so that would make both brakes different in operation and require different set up.

Fair enough. Sounds overly complex and no wonder the company is out of business!

I say, sell it on ebay to a "collector," and buy yourself something that's easy to work on like the tektro 926al mini-v brake. If the tektro isn't fancy enough or the price too low, then spend the big bucks on its swankier cousin, the trp cx9. Good Luck!

[novaturient]

They are actually really cool. The straddle cable is in fact a spoke cut short and re-threaded, with a brass barrel as the length adjustment and quick-release. So smart, and fast to adjust for rim clearance by giving the barrel a spin. And the return spring adjustment is done with a wrench instead of a little screw, and then locked down by the post mounting bolt.

And you are right: the "triangle" on the top of one of the arms moves on a brass bushing to modify the cable pull, so these brake like v-brakes, but work well with ergo brifter levers, unlike mini-Vs. A barrel adjuster is also built into the top of the pivoting triangle (unlike traditional v-brakes which rely on adjustment at the lever end).

If only the manufacturers had included some orbiting washers in the design. The rest of the design is so smart I kind of refuse to believe that they didn't figure something clever out for toe in!

Anyone else know anything about these?



Based on different picture there are differences.

The top cable appears to be a permanent link of fixed length (at least once set up). The brake cable housing that comes from brake lever ends at triangle on top, with the cable continuing to the bottom where it attaches to side of arm. When the brake cable is pulled it rotates that little top triangle which then pulls on the top link drawing the two brake arms together. Brake leverage seems to be altered by shape of triangle.

On older brake the triangle is one solid piece. On picture in peterwhite page the triangle looks like it may articulate at pivot point. If so that would make both brakes different in operation and require different set up.