I bought a Ridgeback World Tour Voyage touring bike last year and have found it to be a very good all round tourer, shopper, winter bike - just like a 'bike' used to be many years ago, before they all became specialist niche products.
I've been very happy with it apart from one thing......the brakes!
The standard fitment brakes are Tektro Oryx cantilevers.
http://www.tektro.com/_english/01_products/01_prodetail.php?pid=51&sortname=Brake&sort=1&fid=2
The front one isn't too bad but needs a grip like a Gorilla. The rear is abysmal. Both are very 'wooden' in feel. Both screech incessantly in the wet and on long, dry, downhill runs.
I've done all the usual stuff like trying several different types of brake pads, ensuring all the cables are smooth, making sure the angles are all correct according to Sheldon Brown etc.
Nothing seemed to make any real improvement.
Researching on the internet shows that this is a common problem, generally, with cantis (Yes, yes, I know, your cantis work perfectly, can't see any problem, buy better ones, you've not set them up properly..... blahdy blah.......). It also came up with several threads where guys have had the same problems and have changed to Mini V Brakes with good results. As with most internet stuff, I generally take it with a pinch of salt.
Anyway, I decided to take the plunge and purchase some of these:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/tektro-926al-mini-v-brake/rp-prod34580
For less than £25 delivered I thought it was worth the punt.
I also needed a couple of adjustable noodles to complete the job:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cables/tektro-91712-v-brake-lead-pipe-with-adjuster-90-deg/
LBS did the converion for me today for a very reasonable £20, including new cables and bar tape.
Verdict?
A vast improvement on the cantis!
Both brakes are very powerful and modulate better. Two finger braking is now the order of the day. This is how the brakes should be on a bike like this; it ain't a lightweight and sometimes carries quite a load. It needs good brakes!!
I am now a very happy bunny.
This now begs the question............why do manufacturers of touring bikes insist on fitting sub standard brakes? I know cantis are 'traditional' (whatever that means), but if a cheaper, better alternative is available - why not fit it as standard?
I've been very happy with it apart from one thing......the brakes!
The standard fitment brakes are Tektro Oryx cantilevers.
http://www.tektro.com/_english/01_products/01_prodetail.php?pid=51&sortname=Brake&sort=1&fid=2
The front one isn't too bad but needs a grip like a Gorilla. The rear is abysmal. Both are very 'wooden' in feel. Both screech incessantly in the wet and on long, dry, downhill runs.
I've done all the usual stuff like trying several different types of brake pads, ensuring all the cables are smooth, making sure the angles are all correct according to Sheldon Brown etc.
Nothing seemed to make any real improvement.
Researching on the internet shows that this is a common problem, generally, with cantis (Yes, yes, I know, your cantis work perfectly, can't see any problem, buy better ones, you've not set them up properly..... blahdy blah.......). It also came up with several threads where guys have had the same problems and have changed to Mini V Brakes with good results. As with most internet stuff, I generally take it with a pinch of salt.
Anyway, I decided to take the plunge and purchase some of these:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/tektro-926al-mini-v-brake/rp-prod34580
For less than £25 delivered I thought it was worth the punt.
I also needed a couple of adjustable noodles to complete the job:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cables/tektro-91712-v-brake-lead-pipe-with-adjuster-90-deg/
LBS did the converion for me today for a very reasonable £20, including new cables and bar tape.
Verdict?
A vast improvement on the cantis!
Both brakes are very powerful and modulate better. Two finger braking is now the order of the day. This is how the brakes should be on a bike like this; it ain't a lightweight and sometimes carries quite a load. It needs good brakes!!
I am now a very happy bunny.
This now begs the question............why do manufacturers of touring bikes insist on fitting sub standard brakes? I know cantis are 'traditional' (whatever that means), but if a cheaper, better alternative is available - why not fit it as standard?
