Embarrassing V brake Q

[Harryburgundy]

Schoolboy stuff I guess , but its a while since I set up V's and I'm not getting it right at the moment.
New Avid SD 7's (horrible, they're going..but will have to do for now), XTR levers.
At the moment I just can't get the feel right. With the arms in the middle hole I need to crank up the adjusting springs full-on to get the right spring.
Top hole setting at its a bit too strong...maybe. V's seem too splayed when resting...does that make sense?
Any tips?
Outer cable length? etc etc etc
Cheers
Carl
Gotta save up for some bling V's...got £70 so far

 

[nimbus]

Any chance of a picture?

I invariably faff a lot with the plastic washers betwixt pad and arm. If the levers look too splayed you might try putting the excess washers outside the arm, if that makes sense?

I always stick with the middle hole, but invariably struggle to balance pad clearance and lever 'feel'.

Doubtless there is someone (anyone, in fact) more qualified than me to answer.

cheers

 

[Huntso]

Pad spacer washers can be rearranged to get the pads a bit nearer the rims.

If its a spring tension problem, give the springs themselves a tweak to get more tension in them and use the small adjusting screws to fine balance.

One other thing, are you using full length outers? I can never get a good feel at the lever when I have tried that.

or
Get some XTR brakes for a lot less than 70 quid

 

[Thorpie]

Carl,

I got a set of new LX v's via ebay and ran them with my M739 XT levers on the Kilauea SS. A doddle to set up, look ok and work brilliantly. Not as bling as XTR but functionally spot on. Only £22 for the set too so you could save some money towards a lovely new frame and sell me your Guyzer, sorted!

Trevor.

 

[Anthony]

Schoolboy stuff I guess , but its a while since I set up V's and I'm not getting it right at the moment.
New Avid SD 7's (horrible, they're going..but will have to do for now), XTR levers.
At the moment I just can't get the feel right. With the arms in the middle hole I need to crank up the adjusting springs full-on to get the right spring.
Top hole setting at its a bit too strong...maybe. V's seem too splayed when resting...does that make sense?
Any tips?
Outer cable length? etc etc etc
Cheers
Carl
Gotta save up for some bling V's...got £70 so far

I think you should always use the middle hole. I always have the spring tension on max, why would you want less? Well, one on max anyway and the other backed off to centre the arms. I always have the outer length at a minimum to minimise cable stretch, but I doubt whether this makes any difference really.

If they still have a vague feel, it could be the lever bushes, bad cables, bad outers, bad pads, thin rims. I personally agree with Trevor. Although people spend a lot of money on the arms, I think they're all the same. Deore Vs brake fine. But what matters IMO is the lever bushes, pads, rims etc.

 

[Harryburgundy]

Thanks for all the replies fellas.
Just come back from a quick blast, which included a steep road hill (down).
Have to say I think I have done myself a dis-service....the set-up isn't to far away from impressive.....in fact I was most impressed with the power and modulation.....just a bit of tweeking now.
I (only done the back so far) put it back to middle and whacked full spring tension on. Need to trim a bit of outer, and I think it will be spot on.
Rear still squeeks bad....pad adjustment OK, think the ceramic rims have
worn too much :?:
Anyway, thanks, really impressed so far, in fact I think I will prefer the set-up to my Maguras, which are great but somehow lack modulation and feel.
Carl

 

[Harryburgundy]

Trevor......

Carl,

and sell me your Guyzer, sorted!

Trevor.

NEVER!, I'm in love....cue butterflies, jumping through wheat fields, picnics under a weeping willow, sucking up the same strand of spaghetti etc etc

 

[Thorpie]

Trevor......

Carl,

and sell me your Guyzer, sorted!

Trevor.

NEVER!, I'm in love....cue butterflies, jumping through wheat fields, picnics under a weeping willow, sucking up the same strand of spaghetti etc etc

Never say NEVER!

Incidently how many different single speed frames are there out there, retro and new? Certainly dont seem to see many retro ones.

Trevor.

 

[Harryburgundy]

That's true...that's why I initially bought the Giant frame as there isn't much about (in my price range). Very, very happy with the Guyzer. Retro, cool and SS specific. It rides really nicely too...hard to describe why, it feels solid and planted yet nimble and fast....lovely 'whip' to it. The ovalised tubes are a work of art.
Never say never ?...yup, your'e right, but I don't see me parting with it in a hurry....it's irreplaceable.
I do lust after Groovy and Walt Works frames...but I reckon I've got a good'un at considerably less cost.
Sometime in the future I will treat it to a re-paint, and I would love some Groovy forks.
Cheers
Carl
PS Actually...it is for sale...2850 euros...just send the money to Yo-Eddy

 

[Jones]

If 952 levers :?: have they still got the little plastic spacers inside them :?: with these removed they can feel a bit weird like theres too much lever travel.