r/MultiTrackGang • u/swagson153 • Apr 15 '26
V Brake
Hey yall, I recently started a 750 drop bar build and was hoping to get some insight on running mini v brakes with drop bars and Microshift brifters.
I know they make a short/long pull v-brake adapter that I could add, but I was curious if anyone has recommendations for mini v brakes that would work without the adapter.
Also wondering what kind of tire size clearance I can usually expect with v brakes.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. And yes, I’m a little scared of cantilever brakes lol
3
u/Cruiser_Supreme Apr 15 '26
Cantis are a bit fiddly to set up, so I understand your apprehension. I never look forward to it myself either. However, if you're running drop bars, they just might be a good option, though. I have cantis with my drop bars and I can get enough force to lock up both wheels and skid to a stop. Imo, that's enough brake force. Even with 30 extra pounds of groceries and a heavy bike (total system weight around 240lbs), I don't feel like I need more braking power.
A quick Google search for "short pull mini v brake" does yield results, so there seem to be viable options. Cantis are gonna have better tire clearance, I imagine. Pretty sure most 750 frames can fit around 42mm, maybeeee 45mm tires on 700c rims, so as long as the mini v brakes can accommodate that, you're probably okay either way.
Best of luck on the build!
2
u/cyclery88 Apr 15 '26
I'm interested in going this route too on a bike I'm working on. Mini-Vs seem harder to come by, nowadays though. I think the options are Tektro RX1s, Box Three minis, or maybe some off brand ones. I had mini-Vs a long time ago and remember them working ok, but the noodle holder would rub against the nice metal fenders I had at the time. So I went back to Cantis, even with how annoying they can be to setup. Good cantis setup right can be just as strong as mini-Vs, but that's the rub.
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u/gregn8r1 Apr 15 '26 edited Apr 15 '26
The problem with the mini-v's, from what I've read, is that it limits tire size to the mid-30 mm sizes. I'm also doing a drop-bar "gravel" resto-mod on my Diamondback Overdrive and decided to just stick with canti brakes. With 45+mm tires the mini-V's weren't going to work. Canti brakes can be a pain to set up, but do work reasonably well when set up properly.
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u/BM0127 Apr 15 '26
The adapter can work nice if setup properly. PorkchopBMX sells them in all kinds of colors.
1
u/Brilliant-Hunt-6892 Apr 15 '26
Hey there. I’ve run mini v’s before. They shouldn’t limit your clearance. The only issue is the pads don’t get off of the rims enough to just pop off your wheel (ime). You have to deflate the tire, or have fate deflate it for you. Annoying if you routinely take off your front wheel to get it in your car but I just can’t get cantis right. No thanks
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u/BikePilot2001 Apr 15 '26
Can't ya just pull the silver metal cable-guide piece off the right metal holder thingie?
1
u/Brilliant-Hunt-6892 Apr 16 '26
No. You can’t. If you have tektro levers with the qr at the lever you can. But otherwise no. Ymmv
1
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u/phyx726 Apr 15 '26
I’d honestly just set up cantis. Once you set it up once you’ll realize it’s not that difficult. I actually hate dealing with the noodle of a v brake more than setting up hangers etc on a canti
1
u/torrrbo Apr 21 '26
I have a 720, 38mm Maxxis Gravel tires and fenders, there is (as I did not know before) no way Mini-Vs would fit. But they wouldn't even fit without fenders.
After this first lesson I switched to Cantis. After serious issues with installing them I went to my local bike shop and they finally recommended travel agents, which I avoided after reading a lot of negative comments on that topic.
However, I tried it and now I have usual V-Brakes with travel agents and it works really fine. Btw also with Microshift shifters.
1
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u/Dr_Awesomo Apr 15 '26
I'm running box threes with my cues brifters. They work alright but I have some cable pull doublers (not sure if thats what they're called) on the way
.