Mini-v vs Calipers

[p nut]

I've got mini-v's (Mini-moto's) right now on a gravel-ish bike. I like them. They've got plenty of power for 1 or 2 finger braking, especially on steeper dirt descents.

I am thinking of getting a dirt roadie frame built with clearance for 32's and wondering if I should stick with mini-v's. I like the power, but hate the set up process. Not to mention, visually, I don't like them as much as a nice set of calipers.

Calipers are super easy to set up and look very nice. But if memory serves correct, not much power there. I think I had Shimano's with KS pads. On steep descents, I needed to be in the drops and at least 2 fingers to get good enough leverage. I could brake from the hoods on the same descent with the mini-v's.

Or would a 3rd option, center-pull be a good middle ground? Although they're still not as elegant-looking as calipers, they're better than mini-v's. And offer plenty clearance for 32's or even 40's.

Note, I don't need mud clearance as I live in the desert. And I don't want discs.

Thanks.

[Mark McM]

By "power", I'm assuming you mean the ratio of lever force to brake force (i.e. leverage ratio).

Mini-Vs tend to have very high leverage ratios - typically between 2:1 or more. They also have very little pad clearance, and may be more difficult to keep centered.

Dual pivot calipers have lower leverage ratios than mini-Vs - typically around 1.6:1. But they are much better at holding their centering.

If high leverage is what you want, you'll probably disappointed with centerpull brakes - they typically have a leverage ratio closer to 1:1 (about the same as a single pivot caliper).

You might want to look at direct mount brakes, which have leverage ratios approaching 2:1. But you'll want to check for clearance issues. Most direct mount brakes have clearance for 30-32mm road tires, but they may not have enough for 32mm knobby tires.

[Ken Robb]

My Rambouillet has mid-reach Shimano double pivot brakes and I think they are fine. I can lock either wheel easily but they are not grabby in the least.

[jtbadge]

I love a mini-V for 38-43c tires, but really no reason not to get a VO Grand Gru or TRP RG957 if you're just going to run a 32.

[Big Dan]

You can fit 33's and some 35's and still use calipers.
Depends on the bike. Search the forum and you will find a couple of threads talking about mid and long reach calipers.

[p nut]

Thanks. I just got sucked down a rabbit hole, thread hopping. Looks like I will stick with caliper brakes, and most likely a RG957 would do the trick.

Then saw a post about Black Mountain road frame. And I'm wondering if it's worth paying 4x the cost for a custom. Mike says Bon Jon 35's fit. Not sure on the tubing and how heavy those frames are, though.

[donevwil]

Originally Posted by p nut

Thanks. I just got sucked down a rabbit hole, thread hopping. Looks like I will stick with caliper brakes, and most likely a RG957 would do the trick.

Then saw a post about Black Mountain road frame. And I'm wondering if it's worth paying 4x the cost for a custom. Mike says Bon Jon 35's fit. Not sure on the tubing and how heavy those frames are, though.

Yes BJs fit easily, I tried both the TRP RG957s and Shimano R650s. The TRPs needed a front pad upgrade badly, but ultimately worked well with Kool-Stop Salmons. I did not like them on 35+mph to zero max power stops, they were too flexible when applying max power. I preferred the Shimanos with Kool Stops (noticeably stiffer and therefore more powerful during extreme braking). My 64cm weighed 22lb with a nothing special build, the main tubes are .8/.5/.8, but the rear triangle and fork are pretty heavy.

Great bike and worth it if only to see if it will quench your custom urge.

I also have a bike with Mini-Motos and one with Racer M centerpulls, the Racer Ms are my favorite although slightly less powerful than the mini-Vs

[Big Dan]

You can try w the Black Mountain frame to see if you like the setup.
Selling it shouldn't be much of a problem here.

[mhespenheide]

Modern mid-reach brakes are great for 32's if you know you don't want to go any bigger than that. I've used the TRP's, the Shimano BR650, and the Shimano BR600, and they're all good.

Personally, if I were thinking about a custom, I'd try the Black Mountain Cycles first as a proof of concept. Or some of the older bikes that are similar.

This is a style of bike that I enjoy; you might want to dive into this thread for some other options besides the BMC:
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=210386

[p nut]

Good suggestion. I definitely could get a BMC and swap everything over to a new frame if it works out.