hokiefyd 

I'm going to ask this here, because the Tektro Mini Vs seem to be target at CX applications, and maybe some of you guys have these. I'm looking at the Tektro 926AL Mini V brakes in silver. I understand the Mini Vs can be used with standard short-pull brake levers. Every picture of these on the internet that I can find makes them look more like polished aluminum than a "silver" color. Shiny more than matte. If anyone has these in silver, I'd really appreciate a real world photograph...seems all I can find are the same sets of marketing photos repeated on every website where these are sold...

Thanks in advance!

fietsbob

It will get dull looking in time, don't obsess over appearance.

pmt

Get the TRP 8.4 instead; it's a better brake with better parts, and you can choose colors or not.

pickettt

I second that.

hokiefyd 

Thanks guys. If I'm not mistaken, the TRP 8.4 set is well over 100 dollars, which is way outside my budget. I realize I never did say that I'm not using them for CX; they'll be going on an older Trek 750 hybrid to replace the cantilevers it had. For now, I've fitted a set of cheapy steel V-brakes and levers that I scavenged off a big box bike I parted out that I keep around for this type of thing, and I've proven the concept to myself (that I want V-brakes rather than cantilevers). As I have real V-brake levers, I don't necessarily need to stick to mini-v models, and can use full-size V-brake arms. I will probably use either Tektro or Shimano arms, paired with a set of Kool-Stop dual compound pads, in the long term.

Primitive Don

Tektro CR720 Cantis are another choice to consider in your price range, WAY better than old school cantis and would work with your old levers. I have these on an old Univega hybrid frame. They have considerable stopping power on descents and I'm a big guy. Just sayin'

hokiefyd 

Just to close this loop, I got a complete set of Tektro RX-1s off eBay for less than $11 delivered to my house. Like most of Tektro's "silver" finishes, they seem to be a "dull chrome" in nature. I think Tektro calls it "silver anodized". The RX-1s are 85mm long and worked a treat on my Trek 750. Slim, low profile, and subtle. Just like me, except for the slim and low profile part...

The boots that came with them were way too long for my use (I like to run the arms rather tight to the tires), so they're bootless for now. I rarely ride in mud or rain, anyway, so the boots don't really do much for me.

I ended up using a set of Shimano ST-EF51 shift/brake levers on it, and they're designed for V brakes, so there's no problem with being able to set the brake pads far enough away from the rims to be able to squeeze these together to unhook the noodle. Longer arms would give me more leverage against the rim, but these stop the bike about as fast as I can manage, anyway, and I do like the low profile and clean appearance vs. a longer brake arm.

Barchettaman

Always nice to have an update - nice things, mini-V brakes, I have them on my modern CX rig and on my commuter, they´re great.

Ronsonic 

I have those on my Charge Filter, work well enough and very non-spendy. They do feel better to me with a travel-agent on the front. Lets the brake have more clearance and a bit more authority in the grip. That's with Campy levers.

All in all, a good choice.