Are all V-brake adjustment screws just garbage?
04-10-19, 11:47 AM
#1
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Are all V-brake adjustment screws just garbage?
I have had a few bikes in the past that had V-brakes, and have noticed that adjusting the stand-off screw is always a bit of a mess. They seem to all have been made of universally soft metal, wherein your screwdriver seems to erode the drive regardless of how gentle you are with it.
Are they any better on higher-end brake sets? Generally I've only owned lower end bikes that had V-brakes, so I'm assuming the sample is throwing off my perception, but it makes me wonder.
M.
Are they any better on higher-end brake sets? Generally I've only owned lower end bikes that had V-brakes, so I'm assuming the sample is throwing off my perception, but it makes me wonder.
M.
04-10-19, 11:51 AM
#2
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The cheap ones may Be . Not 'All' ..
Q: did you know there is a JIS cross tip screwdriver, which should fit screws on Asian parts , better..
....
Q: did you know there is a JIS cross tip screwdriver, which should fit screws on Asian parts , better..
....
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-10-19 at 11:56 AM.
04-10-19, 11:58 AM
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I've never had a problem with V-brakes other than the spring breaking at the sharp bend where it goes into the hole. Even Rivendell is using V-brakes now.
04-10-19, 12:04 PM
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Suggestions for the future care and feeding of said screws- lube their threads when new, work the lube in a bit then wipe off. Reduce or eliminate the spring tension by unhooking the cable and/or the spring before working said screws. And whatever screwdriver you use keep it aligned with the screw/s axis. Andy
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04-10-19, 12:55 PM
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Which v-brakes? if their Shimano. they really need a specific type of screwdriver, see this article for more details https://www.bikeradar.com/gear/artic...wdriver-52496/
04-10-19, 01:01 PM
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04-10-19, 01:04 PM
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I learned about JIS last year and bought a JIS screwdriver.
It makes all brake/derailleur adjustments sooo much easier!
It makes all brake/derailleur adjustments sooo much easier!
04-10-19, 01:21 PM
#8
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Many of the screws have a slot for a flat head screwdriver, that's what I use when I can.
The screws do help fine tune the centering of the brakes.
The screws do help fine tune the centering of the brakes.
04-10-19, 04:08 PM
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I adjust a lot of cheap linear pull brakes at the non-profit shop where I volunteer. I seldom have a problem with the screw itself. To repeat it again, it's a matter of choosing the right tool.
04-10-19, 04:28 PM
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Paul V Brakes use a different setup. You adjust the arm tension with a 15mm wrench and they have a built on cable tension adjuster.
04-10-19, 04:40 PM
#13
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JIS has been superseded by a DIN standard. Almost all quality cross-tip screwdrivers now use that standard--the difference is that the Vessel Megadora has a toothed tip, which grips screws very well.
04-10-19, 04:41 PM
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If I were king of the world, all screws would use hex wrenches.
Last edited by tyrion; 04-10-19 at 08:06 PM.
04-10-19, 07:55 PM
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I replaced the stock V-brake on our tandem with an improved model Avid V-brake that had hex head adjustment screws. Very nice! But then that model was recalled and I'm back to a lesser Avid model with phillips screws.
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04-10-19, 08:05 PM
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04-11-19, 10:36 AM
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First off, to be a V-brake it has to be Shimano. It's just like Kleenex or Frigidaire. If it's not Shimano, it's a linear pull brake.
Whenever a bicycle product manager goes looking for a place to cut production costs the first place they go is to cheaper brakes. Brakes with similar design all look and work the same so to make them cheaper you have to use cheaper materials or less precise production methods. Every little screw and spring purchase goes to the cheapest bidder.
The better quality brakes really are better.
Whenever a bicycle product manager goes looking for a place to cut production costs the first place they go is to cheaper brakes. Brakes with similar design all look and work the same so to make them cheaper you have to use cheaper materials or less precise production methods. Every little screw and spring purchase goes to the cheapest bidder.
The better quality brakes really are better.
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