V brakes

[MonsterJoe]

Hey y'all

I'm new to bikepacking. Ive got a frame the only supports caliper style brakes. Will V brakes be a good option or would I need a different frame?

[vikb]

Hey y'all

I'm new to bikepacking. Ive got a frame the only supports caliper style brakes. Will V brakes be a good option or would I need a different frame?

V-brakes worked for years. No reason they won't continue to work.

If you have an existing bike with v-brakes I would use it if it fits you well.

If you only have a frame and are buying new parts for it I would invest in a modern frame with disc brake mounts.

[Lentamentalisk]

They are a lot less finicky too. V brakes are easy to adjust. It took me a while to get decent at adjusting disk brakes.

That said, if you will be using your bike in nasty or freezing weather, that seems to be when disk brakes pay off most.

[wahday]

V-brakes have their place and I agree with the positives mentioned. If it is what u have to work with, go with it. Many great older frames only use rim brakes but that doesn't make them obsolete.

The downsides of v-brakes are also that it is increasingly harder to get compatible rims and the rims DO wear out (usually there is a built in weld line that you will begin to feel as a little "tick" each revolution to indicate it is time to change out the rims). Worn rims can be unsafe. Also, if biking with a heavy load, steep descents can be a little dicey.

I have Klein that came with rim brakes and disc mounts. I was very excited when I switched over. Still, I did a few bikepacking trips with the v-brakes with no issues. Such a great bike!

I say work with what you have, get out there and have some fun!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jeremy11]

V brakes work great. Lighter and cheaper than discs too.
But they're not as good as discs on extended steep terrain or wet/snow/slush/mud.
I've done 4,000 foot descents in Colorado with V brakes no problem, but this would be hard on them after a while especially with a loaded bike.