Dog collar - v-brakes

Did anybody produce and alternative to the Kona 'dog collar' for V-brake usage?

I'm currently running the V-brakes with the cable routed as the image below, but it's hardly ideal. The collar is designed with a recess at the front to fit where the top tube is welded into the seat tube, but twisting it like this not only looks a little ugly and adds an unnecessary bend in the wire, but also raises the wire as it travels along the frame.

Try replacing the last section of cable outer with Nokon stuff. Its flexible enough that you may be able to have the dog collar positioned correctly. I have enough spare, I can send you some for Karma if you like. PM me if your interested

The mainstream alternative is the Backstop (below) available from Billy's, eBay etc for £16 posted. It works perfectly, but it's not exactly a work of art.

Funnily enough, I was just asking cce about this earlier today. I have a worse problem than you - on a size 16, I can't get this method to work at all, because of the cramped space between the collar and the brakes. Even after taking a hacksaw to the pipe, there's so little room for outer cable that there's insufficient flex in the assembly and it basically over-powers the return spring and the brake won't balance.

The alternative that cce uses is to cut the pipe down to almost nothing, just the bit that engages the brake arm, and use Nokon outer to replace the rest of the pipe and the conventional outer. Nokon is so flexible that you can get a good curve even with the dog collar in the correct position, and the return spring can do its job.

I now see that Mike Snowdon is saying the same thing. He's a generous fellow as Nokon is expensive, but I am thinking of buying a Nokon extension kit (£17 posted from CR) which gives you 40cm of outer and 2m of liner. That would be enough to replace the front bit of of outer as well, and to run the liner the whole length including through the collar. I don't know if anybody else has tried that, but it might be a good solution, and for the same cost as a Backstop.

I'm currently using the most economical solution though - full-length outer fixed to the top tube with waterproof tape. Works perfectly, and I could sell the collar for £10!

I have quite a lot of spare nokon which I was going to put in the FS section, You guys can chip in together and I'll send you each half of what I have left. Theres more than enough to do 2 brakes. Just cover postage.

Thanks for the info chaps and Mike you have two PM's!

Anthony":22avlnm4 said:

I'm currently using the most economical solution though - full-length outer fixed to the top tube with waterproof tape. Works perfectly, and I could sell the collar for £10!

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When I stripped the bike down, the brake cables were long gone. My brother (the previous bike owner) was here on Saturday and explained that when he had the V-brakes originally fitted to the frame, the method you described above was the way the shop fitted them at the time.

This is certainly a way around the problem, but if the Nokon works it will be a slightly more aesthetic solution.

I already do what your thinking of doing Anthony on my tiny explosif , I use the shorter bits of nokon to create a tighter curve . Only problem I have is I like my brakes very tight with barely any movement at the lever . Normally you can pull a noodle and compress the brake enough to pull it out of the V but because of the nokon bits it can be a faff . I set the rear brake up with the barrel adjuster at the lever would out a few turns so I can screw it in to release the brake . Might not be a problem for you but worth bearing in mind . Also I don't think the extension set comes with the end to go into the V so plunder that from an old noodle . There was a shop selling the full brake kits for about £20 , I can't find the link now but you should be able to search here for it .

I've probably got a bikes worth available as soon as I fit my new white Jagwire housing (with gold ferrules ). I personally dont like the stuff but for the rear section of brake housing its ideal.

If you guys are interested I can send you both half each so you should have enough to do the whole brake and maybe even the front too. If you just want a little bit each for karma thats fine too.

If anyone knows the origin of my red collar that would be cool .

mikesnowdon":2onuroq6 said:

I've probably got a bikes worth available as soon as I fit my new white Jagwire housing (with gold ferrules ). I personally dont like the stuff but for the rear section of brake housing its ideal.

If you guys are interested I can send you both half each so you should have enough to do the whole brake and maybe even the front too. If you just want a little bit each for karma thats fine too.

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I'm interested Mike, can you drop me a PM with costs etc?