Dems da Brakes?

CalgarysFool · #1 09-30-2008, 12:51 PM

Front brake on my Spooky Cruiser style bike is a little on the anaemic side for my tastes: Hard to pull and not very effective.

I've tried searching the web and the forum(s) for a good quality side-pull front brake. Something with real stopping authority. All I can find is Tectro has a nice looking brake, but I can't find anywhere to order it. They don't sell to individuals.

I'll just add a bit more info -- my bike has a springer front fork, so it can't accommodate V-brakes, and I have no idea about disc brakes. The brake on it mounts to the bolt that holds the front fender.

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

Brenton

velardejose · #2 09-30-2008, 01:13 PM

Hi
In wet climate (and when engine powered) the v brakes are dangerous to say the least (own experience)
I upgraded to a generic disc brake like this
Bicycle Brake Assembly
You will go too fast (being a bicycle) and you will need increased stopping power
Needs front disc hub too
Peace

wheelbender6 · #3 09-30-2008, 01:19 PM

See "The Next Venice Chopper" in the pictures and video gallery where a guy added a front disc brake to an old schwinn with a springer fork. Maybe you could try that. The Arai front drum brake on my cruiser is not very powerful, but its dependable in bad weather.

NunyaBidness · #4 09-30-2008, 01:20 PM

V-brakes aren't the least bit dangerous as you have said, on the contrary V-brakes are the best thing going unless you can use disc brakes.

deacon · #5 09-30-2008, 01:28 PM

Now this is not a suggestion it is a question... Is there a significant difference in the pads on the brakes. I would think once they engage with max force if there is any difference it would be in the pads.

CalgarysFool · #6 09-30-2008, 01:33 PM

Maybe a decent set of pads is worth a try. They came with v-brake style pads, and that's not what's really called for.

But as I noted, it's darn hard to pull on the brake, and I think a super high quality upgrade is something I'd like. I'm sure, by comparison, I could do a so-called "brakie" on my 11 year old Marin mtn bike with 2 fingers on the front brake. THAT thing has some stopping power.

Nowhere on the springer to mount v-brakes.

I think I must look into the suggestion of a disc brake. I didn't know if that could be mounted.

Brenton

velardejose · #7 09-30-2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velardejose

Hi
In wet climate (and when engine powered) the v brakes are dangerous to say the least (own experience)

My sad story
Tried to brake with light rain
Didn't stop and I ended in a garden, only my pride got injured
Later I discovered my rear wheel covered with a thin oil film
I am 42 and have 2 kids, I want to see them grow
Next thing I did was to install a safer braking system, had to change the front fork too
Peace

CalgarysFool · #8 09-30-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelbender6

See "The Next Venice Chopper"....

I can't tell how it's mounted to the fork, but it can obviously be done. Perhaps I should try a disc brake then.

Good ideas, guys.

Into a garden fence on account of oily v-brakes, huh? Glad to hear you weren't impaled on a pointy fence picket. Geez!

deacon · #9 09-30-2008, 03:08 PM

well I use a coaster brake on the rear and a side pull on the front. I don't go very fast so I have always been able to stop way before I needed to. I can also lock down both brakes if I need to.

NunyaBidness · #10 09-30-2008, 03:56 PM

any time the roads are wet you should allow more time for stopping. This usually means that you apply the brakes sooner and as you are approaching the stop, simply apply the brakes so that they can dry the surface they are making contact with.
There is nothing wrong with V-brakes, the problem seem to be from people not understanding that ANY brakes do not work as well if they are wet.