V-brakes Bicycle brake

linear-pull brake on rear wheel of mountain bike

linear-pull brakes or direct-pull brakes , commonly referred shimano s trademark v-brakes , side-pull version of cantilever brakes , mount on same frame bosses. however, arms longer, cable housing attached 1 arm , cable other. cable pulls against housing arms drawn together. because housing enters vertically above 1 arm yet force must transmitted laterally between arms, flexible housing extended rigid tube 90° bend known noodle . noodle seats in stirrup attached arm. flexible bellows covers exposed cable.

since there no intervening mechanism between cable , arms, design called direct-pull . , since arms move same distance cable moves regard housing, design called linear-pull . term v-brake trademarked shimano , represents popular implementation of design.

v-brakes function suspension systems found on many mountain bikes because not require separate cable stop on frame or fork. because of higher mechanical advantage of v-brakes, require brake levers longer cable travel levers intended older types of brakes. mechanical (i.e. cable-actuated) disc brakes use same amount of cable travel v-brakes, except described being road specific. general rule, mechanical disc brakes so-called flat bar bicycles (chiefly mountain , hybrid bicycles) compatible v-brake levers, whereas mechanical disc brakes intended drop-bar bicycles compatible cable pull of older brake designs (cantilever, caliper, , u-brake).

poorly designed v-brakes can suffer sudden failure when noodle end pulls through metal stirrup, leaving wheel no braking power. although noodle can regarded service item , changed regularly, hole in stirrup may enlarge through wear. stirrup cannot replaced, quality v-brakes use durable metal stirrup.

mini v-brakes (or mini v s ) v-brakes shorter arms, typically between 8 , 9 centimeters. reduces required cable pull, making them compatible brake levers intended cantilever brakes. mini v-brakes retain advantages specific v-brakes such not requiring cable stops. on downside, shorter arms provide small tyre , wheel clearance , make less forgiving setup: can accommodate smaller tyre sizes compared cantilever brakes, may pose problems mounting fenders, can clogged more mud, , can make harder change wheels.