Cycling UK Forum

Hi, will post a few pics tomorrow.

I think this 'change the braking system' approach is wrong both for the look of the bike and for making it work properly. It comes out as a sequence of 'change the pads, change the cables, change the cantis, change the levers, oh wait a minute, you'd better relocate the gear change... and while you are at it don't forget the limitations on tyre size.' The original design of the Galaxy works well (I have one of the period). In fact both the Shimano cantis and the Tektro CR720 Cantilever Brake can be made to work well. I saw right at the top of the thread that a poster wrote he had the straddle 'as flat as it would go.' That's wrong. There are plenty of descriptions of how to set them up both here on the Cycling UK forum (and indeed I would be amazed if Colin or Bruce couldn't set them up to work right). The trick is to get the straddle and the distance off for the brake blocks just right. Too flat leads to poor power at the levers, too acute leads to restricted travel for the levers.

nez wrote:I think this 'change the braking system' approach is wrong both for the look of the bike and for making it work properly.

The OP had already changed the levers and bars before asking the question, is your answer to change them back again?

The trick is to get the straddle and the distance off for the brake blocks just right. Too flat leads to poor power at the levers, too acute leads to restricted travel for the levers.

Depends on the brake, with the CR720's you mention it makes no difference.

Blimy, just a bloke with an old bike who’s brakes were rubbish , didn’t want to redesign a space ship. Chill out, brakes work better, not much money spent I am happy and drinking 1664 whilst watching Netflix.it’s about 99 on my list of the most important things in life, now where’s that bar of wholenut

FWIW all things being equal I'd probably have tried to keep the cantis. But they weren't 'equal' and being pragmatic, given that you had STIs fitted, V's were the path of least resistance.

Another option might have been to fit 'travel agents' or similar, but IME this isn't an ideal solution either.

cheers

Hi, all , the brakes work only done around 5 miles but much , much better than before, thanks for the help and sorry if this has upset the purists.

FWIW in the photos it looks as if your rear brake noodle isn't hooked up properly; presumably you have fixed that now. If not, it could slip out and leave you with no rear brake.

There should be little rubber 'boots' on the exposed part of inner cable; these don't provide much useful protection (on a bike with mudguards) but if they are still in position it means the noodle is correctly hooked up too, making it easy to see if the brakes are set right at a glance.

It isn't very common but it has been known for tamperers to unhook V-brakes when the bike is parked, with obvious effects. So it is a very good idea to give the brakes a tug (and at least a glance) before you set off.

cheers

I will have a look, but it reminds me of the evasive action I had to take in Cornwall last September when my 18ish year old rear inner cable gave up the ghost on a fast decent, let’s say I sat down quietly for a few moments once stopped.

Brucey wrote:FWIW in the photos it looks as if your rear brake noodle isn't hooked up properly; presumably you have fixed that now. If not, it could slip out and leave you with no rear brake.

Yes definitely not secure in that position! I perch the noodle like that when I'm setting brakes up to make sure there's going to be just about the right amount of clearance to unhook the cable. But it's a bit of a risk, you have to make sure you don't get distracted and forget to fully seat the noodle afterward!

Update, I also put some fast skinny tyres on , 35c ! Not only does it feel like a racer after the 40c Land Cruisers but it stops dead with the Deore V brakes, have to be careful how much pressure I apply!

MIB2020 wrote:Update, I also put some fast skinny tyres on , 35c ! Not only does it feel like a racer after the 40c Land Cruisers but it stops dead with the Deore V brakes, have to be careful how much pressure I apply!

Excellent result, I wouldn't go so far as describing 35s as 'skinny' though Having something that feels/is faster on top of the improved braking sure makes cycling significantly easier and less stressful all round.
Pigs back to longer days and warmer temps so you can enjoy even more