How Does a V-Brake Work?
The V-brake is one of the most sophisticated developments in rim brakes. Since the V-brake delivers higher braking force than the cantilever brake, for example, and is also easier to adjust, it is particularly common on city bikes and trekking bikes. The mini V-brake – a special form with shorter arms – was developed specifically for cyclo-cross bikes.
V-brakes have arms that are parallel to each other and are mounted to the fork or frame at their bases. The brake lever transfers the braking force to the brake arms via the brake cable attached to the upper ends of the V-brake. They are pulled together above the tires. The brake pads of V-brakes have a larger surface area than those of other rim brakes, which is why V-brakes offer particularly high braking power.
Key Points to Consider When Buying V-Brakes
If you're looking to buy bicycle V-brakes, you should pay attention to the following points:
Intended Use
Think about where the V-brake will be used – for example, whether you are looking for powerful MTB rim brakes, affordable rim brakes for your trekking or city bike, or lightweight stoppers for your cyclo-cross bike.
Compatibility
The V-brake must match the ratio of the brake lever. Even though V-brakes can generally be mounted to the cantilever brake caliper mounts, they don't automatically fit the brake lever. Well-known manufacturers such as Shimano and SRAM offer brakes levers with different leverage ratios or switchable variants. In addition, the length of the brake arms and the cable routing above the fenders and tires of your bike must match.
Material and Machining
The higher the quality of the material and hardware, and the more precise the machining of a V-brake, the more stable and torsionally rigid the brake arms will be. This in turn ensures that your hand force is transmitted to the brake as directly as possible, yet in a well-dosed manner.
Adjustability
High-quality models have screws for adjusting the spring preload, which you can use to individually adjust the return resistance of the brake arms so that your V-brake is aligned in parallel. In addition, adjustable pad brackets in height and angle make it easier to precisely align the brake pads with the rim, ensuring even braking performance and less wear.
These Parts Are Also Important for Bike V-Brakes
In addition to the brake levers already mentioned, other bicycle parts also contribute significantly to the braking performance of bicycle V-brakes. To ensure that your brake continues to work reliably for many kilometers, we recommend that you order the following parts at the same time.
Brake Pads
There is a wide range of brake pads for V-brakes, as you can easily replace the pads and use models from other manufacturers. Always make sure that the brake pads match the type of your rims. In addition to brake pads for aluminum rims, there are also special brake pads for carbon rims and for aluminum rims with ceramic braking surfaces. In general, harder brake pads last longer, while softer brake pads offer more braking power.
Brake Cables and Housings
Cheap or worn cable housings compress when braking, resulting in a spongy pressure point. In addition, high-quality brake cables that have been treated against rust ensure smooth operation. Furthermore, the end caps should be as waterproof as possible to prevent moisture and dirt from penetrating, which could affect the function of the brake, for example, due to rust.
What Are the Quality Differences Between V-Brakes?
High quality V-Brake brakes are usually made from better machined materials, making them lighter and stiffer, which improves performance, especially on mountain bike trails. In addition, more expensive bike V-brakes typically feature better bearings: ball bearings ensure smooth operation, while simple brass bushings often wear out faster. In addition, high-quality V-brakes offer more adjustment options, such as the distance between the brake pads and the rim, the brake pad height and angle, and the spring tension.
Order Bike V-Brakes Easily Online
Our online shop offers a wide selection of high-quality bike V-brakes for every application, from trekking and city bikes to mountain bikes. We also offer matching rim brake pads, for example to better adjust your brake to wet conditions. Of course, you benefit from the well-known low prices and fast shipping of BIKE24.
Our expert tip: As soon as your new V-brake has arrived, you can use our rim brake adjustment guide to get it set up perfectly.