Brake advice for Carrera Crosscity Folding Ebike

[Ricky Roma]

Hello all, first post on here.

I have just bought a 2nd-hand Carrera Crosscity Folding Ebike for a short daily commute to work and I need some advice for the brakes.

According to the info I can find online, the current brakes are Tektro C310 V Brakes. I'd like to replace either the pads or the entire brake mechanism. My current mountain bike has disc brakes but on my old MTB had v-brakes and I fitted a pair that had replaceable pads that were held in place with a pin. I don't have that bike anymore and can't remember what particular brand they were, but it was handy to just swap out the pads when they wore down rather than replacing the cable and realigning the whole thing. So, I'd ideally be looking for this type of pad.

Also, the Carrera has 20" wheels which is the first time I've had a bike with wheels that small, so will that affect my choices here?

Thanks in advance!

[Jdsk]

Welcome.

Please can you add some photos of the current brakes.

Jonathan

[Ricky Roma]

[Paulkentuk]

So we have to assume your current brake set-up works fine ?

I'd be inclined to strip out the cable, and brake assembly, ( you will have to do it anyway no matter what you eventually decide to replace it with) and take that down to your reputable 'local' cycle shop, and see if they can either order up what you are looking for, or replace it with new.

If you stick with the set-up you already have, (remember that new brake blocks should last at least a year of frequent use) spares are readily available.

[richardfm]

If the current brakes work ok don't do anything until the pads need replacing.
If they aren't working ok then adjust them.
When the pads need replacing buy some like these https://www.freewheel.co.uk/aztec-v-typ ... ke-pba4101

I can't see any need to strip the brake assembly and take it yo a shop.
Although that frayed cable needs replacing. When you replace it fit a cap on the end.

[squeaker]

If they work OK now, and you're just looking for more easily replaced (cartridge) pads, then these should do the job, although more expensive are available (Kool Stop liked by some...). As always, Park Tools walk you through the replacement process.
HTH

[531colin]

For a small wheel e bike, the lack of rim wear of Koolstop may make the price worthwhile….ie cheaper to fit expensive pads than replace wheels

[Ricky Roma]

If they work OK now, and you're just looking for more easily replaced (cartridge) pads, then these should do the job, although more expensive are available (Kool Stop liked by some...). As always, Park Tools walk you through the replacement process.
HTH

Thanks for the suggestion. My brother gave me one pair of these, a different type from Clarks, so I think I'll just buy a second pair and some repacement pads as the pads on the one he gave me are a bit worn.

[peetee]

If you find those brakes are poor it could well be that the cables are not up to the job and robbing you of feel, power and modulation. Carrera are a product of Halfords and in my (extensive) experience as a mechanic it is extremely common to see badly set-up brake cables on their bikes.

[Ricky Roma]

I'll be putting new cables on.

[Ricky Roma]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I went for the Clarks Elite Cartridge V-Brake Pads Triple Compound 72mm Brakes in the end, simliar to the ones suggested by squeaker

Since I decided to wait for the old brakes that were on the bike to wear down, I've only now got around to fitting the Clarks brakes. Because I was putting new pads on I decided to get new v-brake calipers as well. The old v-brakes (apparently) are Tektro C310 V Brakes, so I went and bought a new set of Shimano Alivio BR-T4000 V-Brakes. I tried to fit these this evening and couldn't.

To best descibe the problem, please see the following images - these are NOT my pictures but they show the exact same problem I encountered tonight. The Shimano brakes don't sit flush against the frame connector. The small tension pin doesn't fit fully into the hole. There seems to be a boss on the frame lug that prevents it seating fully. Am I missing something obvious??

Thanks in advance.






 

[Eyebrox]

Are you sure it's not that the bolt mounting the caliper to the brake boss is too long? The old caliper bottom looks shorter in width than the new one. If you saw off a few threads from the base of the bolt (or just use smaller spare bolts) it might tighten all the way home and push that protruding spring end right into the hole in the boss.

[Ricky Roma]

No I don't think it's the bolt.

As I said, those images aren't mine but I had the very same issue - the Shimano brakes couldn't be seated further onto the frame lug because the boss on the lug is too long and/or the recess in the Shimano brakes isn't deep enough.

[slowster]

I suggest you read these threads:

viewtopic.php?t=131881 (especially Brucey's posts).

viewtopic.php?t=153462