Proud new owner of this 1988 specialized. Have a few upgrades in mind, initially I wanted to change the brakes, stem and tires. Anybody running a simple v brake system? My front brake goes through the stem so I’ll need to change that first. What are you running if so?
by Sensitive_Note_7627
12 Comments
Yes, if you’re using flat bars V-Brakes are a great option. People defend Canti’s, and they’re totally great when you get them working. But V-brakes require so much less work for good performance, plus good v-brakes are cheap.
If your Canti’s are working well, I don’t see a reason to swap. Keep in mind that you’ll need new brakes, AND new levers (long pull vs short pull)
I just run some random Avids I found in my bin. V-brakes have less resistance through the pull and I just prefer that over cantis. I find if I set it up right, I don’t need to pull very hard to stop on a dime.
https://preview.redd.it/eh4qz1w2ldlf1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=a2d36632f6f140cd8cf13c085e91ae0dcf04803e
Why is the question specific to rockhoppers? They’re pretty much generic rigid mountain bikes, no different in braking than any other.
With that in mind, every bike I’ve ever owned that came with cantis promptly had them replaced with v-brakes, except one which I scrapped completely. Cantis are complete garbage.
Your rear brake is a ubrake which can’t be swapped for a v brake.
Yes, many people I know who do these conversions switch to v-brakes. Just remember you have to get long-pull levers to go with them. Get yourself some decent shimano ones, like LX or better. You can usually find them with matching levers on ebay. You don’t need to worry about the cable routing, the v-brake cable just runs direct from the brake to the caliper.
The U-brake under your chainstays is not compatible with Cantis/V-brakes unfortunately. If it works I recommend that you keep it as is.
When I had a stumpjumper I swapped the front canti for a v brake and kept the U brake in the rear. Ran avid speed dials to keep the lever feel similar. On my rockhopper I had disc brakes welded on which was kinda dumb.
You could swap a V brake on the front if you want. I put V brakes on a hardrock frame but I didn’t have that cool rear brake to deal with.
No
I’m rebuilding a rock hopper from 88 with the brake mounts on the chain stays like yours. I got a shimano deore V brake and lever for the front (80% of braking power comes from here anyways) and a diatech u brake for the back. I got a sora adjustable lever for the back which will work with u brake and v brake if I ever decide to move it to another bike.
The bike actually had cantis setup front and back when I got it and I’m sure cantilever can be setup to work great but I just didn’t want to bother.
If I’m going to ride an old and antiquated bike with sub par brakes I’m gunna go for the cool ones – canties. I think they look dope and they’re just cool and quirky.
When you eventually set them up right they’re just fine. Imo hydraulic discs are the only way but with these old bikes just do what looks cool/you like 🤙