Are Shimano RSX combined lever/gear compatable with v brakes

[widowmaker]

Does anyone know if combined levers as Shimano RSX are compatible with V brakes ?

Building a cross type bike with V's and want to add some drop bars.

 

[one-eyed_jim]

Re: Are Shimano RSX combined lever/gear compatible with v brakes

Not really, no.

They'll pull about half the cable you need for V-brakes to work well, so the pads will have to be set too close to the rim, the brakes will feel spongy and grabby, and you'll run out of lever travel when the pads wear.

There are a few options. Short mini-V-brakes work much better with road levers, subject to tyre clearance. Travel Agents will increase the cable pull. Ditch the V-brakes for cantilevers. Ditch the STI levers and use bar-end shifters with V-specific levers from Cane Creek, Tektro, or Dia Compe. Get some (expensive) Paul Crosstops or Strange Cycles brakes.

 

[Bicycle Addict]

I could be wrong, but I will say no . . . I know they are compatible with Canti's, as I have set up a bike with this combo.
V brakes travel from lever is different, longer I think( again could be wrong here)
If you check Google for drop bar MTB conversions most of them running V's are running Tektro, or Cane creek(basically the same) brake levers and Bar Cons(Bar end shifters) and you can get Bar Cons right up to 10 speed thanks to TT bikes.
Modern Cantilevers with sticky pads like Koolstop Eagle Claws (I like the yellow or blue as they are stickier than the black) are actually very effective and I will say set up properly I like them as much as V's

 

[Bicycle Addict]

One eyed Jim beat me to it! So my post is a bit samey

 

[widowmaker]

Re:

Thanks chaps, I have newish v brakes and have not sourced the RSX's yet so ok to go down the bar end etc route.

Thanks again !