Adding Disc Mounts

[RickH]

V brakes should work well if you have V specific brake levers. I have some on a tandem, admittedly with discs, that originally had flat bar MTB levers. There was no loss of performance converting to drops with V brake drop levers (Tektro RL520). At £20, an inexpensive choice if you still have the Vs.

[Brucey]

I thought "narrow" canti bosses with a threadless headset a bit unlikely. What frame is it?

upthread he says

Builder apparently Simon Davey, a one-off custom job I believe.

cheers

[nsew]

I thought "narrow" canti bosses with a threadless headset a bit unlikely. What frame is it?

“Hi I sold the Simon Davey cycle a bout 3 months ago I bought it off the original owner. It was built by Simon Davey in the borders area I think he did some frame building for Jim McGurn in the 80’s.”

Could be the James McGurn that co-wrote Cross Country Cycling: The Guide for the Off-road Leisure Rider (Teach Yourself) (ISBN 0-340-58654-0) 1993 with Geoff Apps.

[djnotts]

C to C the front bosses are 70. The current levers are old 4 finger mtb levers and pads Koolstop. I replaced the shot rear rim with a vgc 521 on xtr to match front
and have a spare NOS rim for when necessary.
Yes, it is a top quality bike, otherwise I wouldn't be wasting time and money on it! Whatever I spend will never be "worth" more than 300 quid.

It's not the worst stopper of my bikes , but nor is it the best - that's my 2010 steel Kona Kona Blink with hydraulic discs!

Time to move on. Topic started just to check my view on adding disc mounts was probably correct!

I've owned it for 17 months, quite a long time by my standards.

[Brucey]

C to C the front bosses are 70...

which rather begs the question why are you worrying about bosses 65mm apart?

I expect BR-CX70 and BR-CX50 will fit those bosses perfectly.

cheers

[djnotts]

Yes, probably time for re-appraisal.

[RickH]

... The current levers are old 4 finger mtb levers.

So it doesn't have drop bars as in the picture then?

Old 4 finger mtb levers may well have the cable pull for cantis rather than Vs (levers short cable pull, Vs needing long cable pull). I think 4 finger levers on mtbs pretty much died out around the time that Vs became mainstream. The same applies as before, but possibly even cheaper.

[djnotts]

Back on flats at moment. Had drops with the Vs and the right Tektro levers for a while. After switching to flats realised that drops NOT the cause of hand and wrist pain so in process of changing back! Thought try and improve braking while I am at it.

[nsew]

Those flares you have in the photo are uncomfortable anywhere but the limited flats and drops. The supremely comfortable heat treated Nitto RM013 are at Planet X for a good price along with TRP RRL’s for £25. They’re basically Noodles (mod177) without the uprise on top. Salmon Kool Stops are the pads for the UK. The TRP’s are luxurious compared to the levers in the photo.

[djnotts]

I found the cowchippers perfectly comfortable, but then I never, indeed physically can't, ride more than 35-40 miles.
No doubt "better" stuff out there, but the bike could then become even more of a bottomless money pit, with no increase in its value.

[nsew]

It looks like you cherish your stuff so it can be sold on without much loss. And you’ve taken stuff off the bike that’s worth a few bob. Sounds like you could benefit from using all the steerer.

Do not go gentle into that good night
Dylan Thomas - 1914-1953

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

[djnotts]

The poem and the writer I know! Similar, I tend to prefer poetry to music, is The Shouting End of Life, Oysterband.
I have lots of stuff that in normal circumstances would be sold on, but queuing in a Post Office not on.
And yes I do always think of resale in relation to what I spend. Recent mistake has been buying pocket money stuff to improve simply for something to do rather than making a big spend and just riding! I blame a pandemic.
Probably need to start selling rather than leaving the task to the kids.

[slowster]

I suspect that RickH is right, and that your current levers are not compatible with V brakes. Spa sell the T610 (trekking version) Deore flat bar levers, which are classed as 3 finger levers and probably the closest in length to what you currently have.

I would also add that when I set up my V brakes I experimented between having the thinner pair of washers inboard and then outboard of the brake arms, and I was surprised at the difference it made to the feel of the brake, with one position feeling noticeably 'spongier'. Shimano's instructions for choosing the washer position only mention choosing a set up that ensures that there is at least 32mm of cable between the bracket into which the noodle fits and the opposing brake arm. There is no guidance beyond that, i.e. assuming both configurations give 32mm of cable which one will provide the best feel/braking power.

[djnotts]

I assure you that I do change levers as necessary according to what brakes I am running! Been playing with such stuff for many years.

[cycle tramp]

H'mmm... it sounds like you have several choices;
i) enjoy the bike as it is, changing to different pads as the others wear out and perhaps the cabling as and when required
ii) continue to investigate making changes to the frame/brake details- change the spacing/width of the brake mounts?
iii) accept that the braking performance may be affecting how you use or view the bike and sell it as a whole or as a frame for something with disc mounts

...number (i) has always been my favourite- Don't Worry, Be Happy