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Submitted by
chaka biker
a Racer
from lomas
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | venados | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | local store | | Strengths: | reviewing the tektro magnesium brakes
super lightweight | | Weaknesses: | poor stopping power, poor adjustability, cheesy springs, supposed to be high end brakes, work like trash | | Similar Products Used: | shimano xt, xtr, avid sd ti, and lower digits, etc. | | Bike Setup: | salsa moto rapido full xtr/07 sid race | | Bottom Line: | My weight weeinie freakness made me buy these "boutique" brakes to shed some grams off the xtr stoppers, yeah the tektros are noticaeably lighter, but with alarmingly poor performance, i was used to xtr, which is like using a.b.s. brakes in a car, the tektro lasted for my training ride only, my salsa demanded the xtr´s back!!.
XTR V BRAKES ARE THE BEST. PERIOD, SECOND COME AVID SD TI. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josiah
a Weekend Warrior
from Wheaton, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | something at palos heights | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | they stop but not very well | | Weaknesses: | don't stop well, all out of wack | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Giant Iguana 2002 w/ a couple minor upgrades | | Bottom Line: | This brake isn't very nice in my opinion, 'course i don't even know if this is the right product (giant doesn't say what brake it is this is just most likely) but i use em cuz i don't have the money to buy know ones and i need a new bike anyway so... recommend discs. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sempai
a Cross Country Rider
from Mobile, AL, USA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | cover those nasty v-brake bosses
they're black so no one notices your crappy OEM gear | | Weaknesses: | screws strip
nonexistent stopping power
impossible adjustment
cables slip
terrible build quality | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper with lots of mods | | Bottom Line: | The Tektro 4 brakes came with my Rockhopper, which is a mystery because the bike also came with Shimano levers--I figure the money could have been better spent by Specialized.
They didn't as much STOP the bike as slow it down, and. I tried to adjust them several times, this resulted in the screws stripping to the point I couldn't reposition the brake pads or adjust the spring rate of the calipers. I even tried to remove them completely to realign them--this turned out to be a bad idea since what was left of the intact screws also stripped. Are they made of lead? I've never seen metal so soft.
You can get them for seven bucks each at JensonUSA. The next brake is 20 bucks each.
That should be some indication of the quality of this product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Freeridin Fool
a Cross Country Rider
from Vermont
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | with these brakes, anything flat. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | Cover up those pointy brake bosses. Give you the illusion that you have a complete bike. | | Weaknesses: | Give you the illusion that you have a complete bike. Flexy, unbalanceable, no stopping power, etc... | | Similar Products Used: | canti-brakes, dragging feet on ground. | | Bike Setup: | Giant WarpDS with custom mods. | | Bottom Line: | I stop quicker and feel safer draggin my feet to stop. Great for going UP hills - IF you don't plan on riding back down. Also would be good for a shop decoration, if you smashed with a steel mallet first. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Crofton, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. Tzouhalem | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came stock | | Strengths: | should last you a long time and they're cheap | | Weaknesses: | need to be adjusted quite often and could be more powerful | | Bike Setup: | kona blast with marzocchi mx comp '04s | | Bottom Line: | you will get good solid performance from these brakes and you won't have to empty your wallet. they are good for a cross country rider who doesn't mind making adjustments often and doesn't need heavy stopping power. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Denis
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey BC
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Work well but a trick to it... you need to spray some WD40 in between the spring and spindle thingy | | Weaknesses: | slow response on springs until lubed properly | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore/ XT( useless overpriced junk) | | Bike Setup: | K2 ZED 1.0 | | Bottom Line: | Once they are lubed properly these brakes and l;evers work very well.. never had the sonpge problem people seem to be having... i like them alot and wont replace them for the "xt/xtr band wagon hey look at me" over priced crap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Janovetz
a Cross Country Rider
from Wausau WI, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Nine Mile Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Rib Mountain Cycle | | Strengths: | none they blow | | Weaknesses: | they dont stop, they wont even lock up if your going more than 10 mph. they need way too much adjustment | | Similar Products Used: | avids and xt's | | Bike Setup: | specialized hardrock comp | | Bottom Line: | they suck, dont buy them and if they r on ur bike get new ones fast. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan King
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT, US
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Bobsled | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | MTBr Classifieds | | Strengths: | They stop on occasion... | | Weaknesses: | HORRIBLE stopping power, need constant adjustment. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore, Promax | | Bike Setup: | KHS Alite 1000 with XT and Manitou Six | | Bottom Line: | I'm very tempted to rip the brakes off of my sister's K-Mart bike and put them on mine. These things are DISGUSTING and deserve to be melted down. I bought my bike through MTBr, so it was shipped to me, and apparently little bumps will cause the brakes to become misadjusted...
It gets very annoying when you're rolling down a trail with a SQUEAK SQUEAK because your brakes are rubbing and you can't adjust them... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a
from Grand Forks ND
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Weaknesses: | Flexy, Garbage pads, Won't hold adjustment | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Vbrake lines and various Avids | | Bike Setup: | Stock Kona Scrap | | Bottom Line: | These are garbage, they don't have the power Vbrakes should, and they don't hold adjustment. If you swapped the short flexy pads they might show improvement, but don't waste your money. Just buy some new brakes, shimano Deores are a HUGE value, just a couple of bucks and perform like their more expensive siblings. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dood
a Weekend Warrior
from saskatchewan
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | jumps | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Strengths: | good braking power for a v-brake and they don't squeek. | | Weaknesses: | week springs the brakes constantly need adjustment. And I meen constant adjustment to keep them calibrated so that both pads hit the rim at the same time. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Giant worp ds3 | | Bottom Line: | thay work good exept needing constant ajustment. Or you can just let them rub on the rim. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John M
a Weekend Warrior
from Davis
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Sequoiah Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$76.00 | | Purchased At: | Freewheeler Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Stop fairly good, a helluva lot better than my old STX cantis. Saved me from crashing a bunch of times. | | Weaknesses: | they don't always stay aligned after braking--I sometimes have to realign them so they don't rub against my wheels. | | Similar Products Used: | tried Avid and XT but I couldn't fit those into my college student budget | | Bike Setup: | 97 Gary Fisher Aquila, STX throughout with Matrix Singletrack Pro rims, set up for street riding with Specialized Hemispheres | | Bottom Line: | They beat the pants off cantis, but not the best when considering all the pricier stuff out there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex G
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilmington, DE
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with stony downhills | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Dunbar's Cyclery | | Strengths: | They stop you | | Weaknesses: | Very poor build quality. They never stay adjusted and need to be readjusted after every other ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Redline Radius cantilevers, Avid SD Ti | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh M60 frame, LX drivedrain & shifters, Avid SD Ti brakes, RockShox Judy TT | | Bottom Line: | Do yourself a favor -- if you got these brakes stock on your bike, replace them as soon as possible. Yes, they can stop the bike, and they are probably OK for city riding. But when you rely on them when risking your cracking your skull you want something you can trust. Get some Avid Single Digit 7 for $25 a piece at PricePoint -- you won't regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sebs
a Weekend Warrior
from sydney, australia
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | good stopping power, works well (when dry), fairly tough | | Weaknesses: | don't work when wet, muddy and steep!! brakes on front forks have a few degrees of play... maybe not so tough | | Similar Products Used: | deore disk; LX | | Bike Setup: | khs team, alivio shifters, deore drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | They stop you well, provided you riding on a bright sunny day on dry stuff. The brake arms have a little bit of play, particularly noticeable when braking under tail whip | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from Glastonbury, CT
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Birch Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | um..... | | Weaknesses: | They dont shed mud at all, they are so loose after 2 years and there's no way of fixing them and still keeping the breaking power that I want. The tektro pads stay wet for about 2 weeks after riding in mud/rain/puddles. When jumphin they move so much and make a lot of noise. I though it was my fork but it was these pieces of crap | | Similar Products Used: | LX XT | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Mesa GSX, Deore, Psylo SL | | Bottom Line: | I'm now upgrading to Shimano XT V-Brakes. Hopefully they'll gove me what I need. :-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Cross Country Rider
from Cambridge UK
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Thetford Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Overall build | | Weaknesses: | They keep going out of adjustment,must have weak springs, this is very annoying and causes rubbing on the rims | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore, Avid 2.0 | | Bike Setup: | Kona Hahanna
They came on my wife`s and daughters bikes as standard, | | Bottom Line: | They don`t compare very favourably with other v brakes I have used and seeing as its me who has to keep adjusting them it won`t be long before they are scrapped.
They may be cheap but I would prefer to pay a bit more and get a better quality brake, thumbs down for Tektro for the brakes and Kona for penny pinching, | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben K
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere outside of Toronto and without Trash | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Depot | | Strengths: | Brake Power=EXCELLENT! | | Weaknesses: | They look like they're immitations off a supercycle! | | Similar Products Used: | Altus Cantilevers, Deorre Stuff | | Bike Setup: | Aluminum Frame, Rock Shox Jett, Acera stuff | | Bottom Line: | Dude! These things are AWESOME!
I give them 5 Flamin' Chilis for Value!
And give them 4 Flamin' Chilis for Overall Rating! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | -Cheap
-Gets the job done
-Better than cantis or Shimano V's(no pivots)
-Fair stopping power | | Weaknesses: | -Mine came with cheap-ass levers
-Cheesy pads
-Ugly as sin
-Gets hung up on the rims sometimes | | Similar Products Used: | Avid SD 1.0(kicks ass!!),SRAM 7.0(even better--but get Avid levers instead of SRAM's composite) | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS with BG Sport seat
| | Bottom Line: | A good workhorse V-brake for the beginning rider(I have the 824As--belongs to this family of brakes).However,these don't fare very well in the muddy Northeast.And the pads suck--they pretty much bit the dust after one mucky ride.
Okay brake,but once you wear them out go and get Avids or SRAMs(if you can find 'em)... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Livonia, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | These brakes are absolutely outstanding. They came stock on my 2000 Giant Iguana SE. I barely have to press the brake lever down and the bike stops, and I mean it STOPS. | | Weaknesses: | None thus far. | | Similar Products Used: | Don't remember the name. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Giant Iguana SE | | Bottom Line: | As I said before, these brakes are awesome. They are the most responsive brakes I've tried so far. Altough they came stock on my bike, I hear they are fairly cheap in price, so I have to give Tekro the 5 flamin' chilis it deserves for value. Way to go Tekro...hey I rhymed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Moegsien Schroeder
a Cross Country Rider
from Cape Town, South Africa
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tokai Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | POWERFULL!!! | | Weaknesses: | Difficult to setup | | Similar Products Used: | Center-pull alivio cantis | | Bike Setup: | Giant Rincon | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are really worth every penny. I have just finished testing them on a circuit used by world cup mountain bikers and they are fantastic. You can use one finger to control the bike on the steepest of drop-offs. They were a bit difficult to setup but once that once done i don't have any other complaints about them. Get them now!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dale
a Cross Country Rider
from bakersfield,ca
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mr. Toads wild ride | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | GREAT STOPPERS!!! | | Weaknesses: | UGLY AS S*** | | Similar Products Used: | xt,lx,xtr | | Bike Setup: | schwinn,lx hubs laced to specialized rims,quadra 21 r fork, | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are worth every penny and then some!! these were the brakes that i upgraded to from my center pull canti's, and they rock. they stop on a dime in any wheather and will throw you if your not careful, so watch out. if you weight conciuos, go out and by some pauls or avids, but if you just wanna ride, by these, you cant go wrong!!! they were only 55 $ installed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a Cross-Country Rider
from lithonia
Date Reviewed: October 11, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
stop really goood!!! | | Weaknesses: |
not the best looking | | Similar Products Used: |
xt, truvtiv | | Bike Setup: |
GT Backwoods | | Bottom Line: | Good brakes for the price, no need to spend a lot of money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ThomaS
a Weekend Warrior
from South Africa
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
---------------------------- | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
KICK-ASS POWER AT A CHEAP ASS PRICE!!! | | Weaknesses: |
NOT THE BEST LOOKING, BUT THEY ARE GROWING ON ME | | Similar Products Used: |
ALIVIO CANTIS | | Bike Setup: |
GIANT IGUANA SE | | Bottom Line: | SCAREY!!
THE OTHER DAY I WENT TRICK RIDING IN A LOCAL SHOPPING CENTRE CAR PARK.
THERE WEREW SOME SCATE BOARDERS NEAR BY AND I JUCT HAD TO SHOW OFF!!!!
I ATTEMPTED A FRONT WHEEL PIVOT IN FRONT OF THEM AND SLAMMED ON MY FRONT TEKTRO V-BRAKE. WELL I FLEW OVER THE HANDLE BARS AND FELL ON MY ARSE! THEY ALL LAUGHTED AT ME AND I LIMPED HPME IN DISGRACE, THE BIKE WAS FINE EXCEPT FOR A CROOKED HANDELBAR.
WELL DONE TO TEKTRO ON A HELL OF A V-BRAKE !!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
spencer
a Weekend Warrior
from york PA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
one with dirt and jumps | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
they work | | Weaknesses: |
they dont work well | | Similar Products Used: |
lx,xt | | Bike Setup: |
cannondale hard tail with a head shock fatty D | | Bottom Line: | they are eather rubbing against the rim or i have to pull the lever all the way down to my grip to get them to stop. but when i do take the time to fine tune them they work ok. just they have to be fine tuned 1/2 hour later.
buy them if u want but in my opinon save up and buy some xt or avid's | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ranna
a Cross-Country Rider
from South Dakota
Date Reviewed: June 1, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Price, Mine were $80, installed & set up | | Weaknesses: |
??? flex? | | Similar Products Used: |
stock & shimona cantis | | Bike Setup: |
Nishiki Blazer (heavy, rigid, curb bike for comuting) | | Bottom Line: | Why would anyone keep cantis? I tuned and primped several sets of cantis and these brakes seem simpler than any of those, you can't beat mechanical advantage and ihaven't stopped like this since i had a coaster brake. Say hello again to skid marks on the drive way. I've heard you get better feel from the S brand but you can't beat the $$ | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross-Country Rider
from Detroit, MI
Date Reviewed: May 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Outstanding stopping power. | | Weaknesses: |
Suffer from the lack of aesthetic flash, I suppose. That's it. | | Similar Products Used: |
Magura Blues.
Shimano LXs.
Shimano XTs (non-linear) | | Bike Setup: |
Gary Fisher Aguila 99 | | Bottom Line: | This bike is my sister's actually, but I've been using it for a couple weeks till my ride gets out of the shop (someday!). Well, this is a $400 bike, so don't get your hopes up too high, there are those of us who spend that alone on brake systems. Anyway, these brakes work great. They have good modulation and excellent stopping power. They can lock the wheels out cold. I like the feel of the levers - solid. I can see no reason why they could possibly need boosters.
Think seriously about these if you're on a budget but want strong brakes (I should hope that would be a lot of us unless someone doesn't like the present structure of their cranium). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a cross-country rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: December 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I also like Dave down below got mine at the 98 Norba National Champs at Mt Snow. So far I am really pleased with them. They are a big improvement over the old cantis that I had. The only thing's that I would change would be the levers since they do not have there own sring retension system and the wimpy pads that they come with. Other than that they are a graet deal.
Oh by the way Dave I suckered the guy at Mt Snow down to $30 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a cross-country rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: December 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a newer version of the ones pictured above fitted to my mongoose and they perform really well in all types of riding I XC ride most the time but they work heaps well in trials and DH. They cost about $35 australian an can out do lx/xt when set up properly. all in all they kick ass!!! i run them with power tools levers and i can pull easier endos than with my mates GT that has got the xt groupset. Buy them they won't let you down!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Monkeyboy
a cross-country rider
from Redfield, SD
Date Reviewed: November 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had these things for about a year and explored with them in trials I have never been on and a bunch I have and was bombing at like 40, and I got to say that these things rawk! You have to like adjusting them, but they are some of the best brakes I have ever had in my life. You also can't way about 250 lbs either cause they are designed for racing ( I got the quartz series) and aren't expected to be raced by light wieght, weight weenies. I am lucky enough to not weight too much right now, but after christmas....I may be screwed! I don't have them anymore...but I had them longer then the ones I have now (Shimano, LX)
and I like the teky's better. If you don't weigh much beyond like 200 lbs, and don't mind the ugly grey, then these are for you! I give them 5 flaming bananas. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Calvin H
a weekend warrior
from singapore
Date Reviewed: November 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
i have been using these tektro vees for 8months now, and they sure serve me well. Rather difficult to configure, esp for the pad alignments, but after it has been done properly, whoa! one-finger stopping. Cool anodized colours too - mine is purple. One word of advice - change the stock pads - they couldn't brake in the rain. I had mine changed to koolstops thinlines and after some major adjustment (cos the thinlines are thin and the stock pads are sooo thick), they brake even more wonderfully now. Now I can endo with one finger if I try hard enuf =) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a weekend warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes kick,I've had them about 8 months and the performance is good, they don't flex at all. The pads do need changing straight away but they'd need changing sooner or later any how, I run them with DX V levers and they work just fine. My only real complaint is the spring on the left tends to loose tension as it is only held in place by the compression of the boss bolt, this means it gradually slips and the brake shifts to one side and can rub. Over all a good budget alternative to Shimano.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fraser
a weekend warrior
from Toronto, Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: October 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I refcently upgraded to these from some Alivio canti's, and these are about 100 times better. The stop distance is great, mine sure don't squeak, and you can't beat that price! The entire converstion kit cost me about $80 can. That beats the $130 for LX which aren't too much better in my opinion. FIVE FLAMIN' CHILIS BABY! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a cross-country rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: September 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got these for $35 complete set at 98 NORBA CHAMPS. One thing that stinks
is that I had to buy new shifters. It took a while to setup but once they
were they work great. Pads don't work that well especially when wet.
Definetly reccomend them. 5 flaming chilis. Rock!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a weekend warrior
from El Paso, TX
Date Reviewed: August 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Actually, I don't have the RPB's, but the quartz. Nice brakes. Terrific stopping power, not so heavy and easily adjusted. The pads that they come with are Koolstops, so no worry about crappy pads.The price was the major driving factor for me, at $67 US, they just can't be beat. The Shimano XL's aren't that much better, and you will pay $120! I strongly recommend these brakes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GOON
a weekend warrior
from Vic Australia
Date Reviewed: August 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Tektro brakes a great. Their old centre pull included. The pads suck, but $30 will get you a nice soft pad. Squeaks I don't know what their talking about, set them up properly and you won't have a problem. I use mine with smooth progressive XT lever and they work wonders. Nice and smooth with fair amount of power. Setup, not too much of problem if you have experience. The only thing that seems I have a problem with is amount of maintanence I have to do. There cheap effective great value for money and a sweet upgrade from ACERA or Altus crap. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Bramwell
a cross-country rider
from Newcastle, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
WATCH OUT! If you have narrow rims, the pads when worn down a bit do not actually squeeze the rims! The cable pulls all through and your braking effort does not translate to the wheel, instead it squeezes one arm against the cable hanger in an attempt to. They work well if you always use new pad though . . . | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Do Trong
a weekend warrior
from canada ,montreal
Date Reviewed: July 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The tektro brake company did areal good job, the brakes are inexpensive and well made.Shure they are a little heavy when you compare them to the XT OR XTR,BUT WHO CARES!For only 7o$ (canadian : go canada)you can buy 2 pairs of tektro's rbp V's and some decent brake levers(really fli colors).It's a bargain' don't waste your money on avid's brakes' cause they are way too expensive and are lame. The pads sucks so i'm planning to buy kool stop pads! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
phreaker
a weekend warrior
from vancouver bc
Date Reviewed: June 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Powerful V-brakes. At first, I had trouble using them, but after changing to better Shimano brake cables, the brakes work perfectly now. Excellent pull on the levers and great stopping power. Pads look a bit plastic, but works fine in dry conditions. Squeals a little when wet, but who cares? 5 chillis! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dick Nicholson
a weekend warrior
from Nova Scotia, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I find that these brakes suck, they have no power and they squeak like hell. In a way hey are piueces of crap.I do not suggest these because I find that Acera Cantilevers from Shimano offer more power. In some ways they are lighter and for me that is what I like but I weigh 300 pounds and I need more power. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ho Wen Yao
a weekend warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: June 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the Tektro V-brakes pictured on both front and rear. As compared to my friend's Deore XT, the method for aligning the spring tension seems a bit crude, but stopping power was certainly much better than my old cantilevers. I'll go for the KoolStop pads as recommended by so many of you when my current pads wear out (pretty fast rate though). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dingbat
a weekend warrior
from Bristol, UK
Date Reviewed: June 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought two pairs of the first model in Summer '97, then a 3rd pair at the start of '98. They're now fitted to the front of 3 separate bikes (I prefer cantis on the rear). The new ones are an improvement over the old, as the cable clamp has changed. The old cable used to pop out from beneath the washer if you weren't careful, the new one needs a tiny Allen to tighten, but is easier to fit.They work, they're powerful, and the centring springs are easier to adjust than the Shimano-style screw. Pads work OK for me, but the race bike has Aztecs on and the other two only see on-road use. I prefer them to both LX or XT (I suffered pivot wear / squeal) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scud
a cross-country rider
from norcal
Date Reviewed: June 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
just installed the new quartz v's. Swwweeeet. I had crystal design canti's with mathauser pads and these are an improvement. easy to set up and kool stop pads. I chose the black ones and the paint job was a bit cheesy but what the hey, they are brakes. At $17 a set, you can't miss. Just don't jack yourself. Looking for downhill in cali. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Douglas Smith
a cross-country rider
from Salem,Oregon
Date Reviewed: June 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
When I bought these brakes I thought that they were going to be very good but I was wrong. These brakes way a ton and they perform like shit. Also the brakes pads that they come with are plastic so I upgraded to some koolstop pads to make them work better I was wrong the new pads did not work well at all. To make the koolstop pads work I had to take extra pieces by the pads so they well work. I would not buy these brakes you are better off with getting LX for $85. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zoch
a cross-country rider
from Ontario,CANADA
Date Reviewed: April 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I think the Tektro V-brakes kick ass over LX V's and the LX canties that I had on my bike when I bought it.They are easy to set up.Only one problem with them which is that they got crappy brake pads on them and I suggest putting better ones on.They are also cheaper than LX V's. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jp
a cross-country rider
from menomonie, wi
Date Reviewed: April 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Got these cause the LX's that came on my used bike sucked. Cheap as hell, somewhat of a pain to set up, (took an hour or so) but once on, they work great! Rock solid, as good as the more expensive, high-zoot stuff out there.Be carefull with the cable locking nut however, it's a tiny allen bolt/nut combo that's pretty easy to strip. I treat it carefully, and it's been no problem.I definately recommend these things.. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JUSTIN NGUYEN
a downhiller
from CALIFORNIA,USA
Date Reviewed: March 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I RIDE TRIALS AND DS/DH .I HAD XT Vs BUT THOSE LOOSEN UP AT THE LINKS,SO I GOT THESE COOL ANODIZED RED TEKTROS,THEY WORK BETTER THAN THOSE FLIMSY XT V BRAKES.I GO OFF 8' DROP OFFS AND LAND ON MY REAR WHEEL,THEY DONT EVEN SLIP!!!!!!
THESE ARE THE BEST DEAL ON V BRAKES AROUND! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hammerman
a cross-country rider
from NS Canada
Date Reviewed: February 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I upgraded to these fr LX canti's , far superior stopping power . Friends who have LX V's stop no better, my bike shop mechanic uses XT V's and says he's developed slop in his , mine none . They are really easy to set up , I have easily over 500miles on them , and have rotated the pads and expect another 1-200miles from them , great wear . Last week I bought the Trace ( Tektro ) V-brake booster for even more rear brake stopping power . They do not stop as well when riding in wet conditions , which I expect to fix when I replace with Kool-Stop Eagle V pads. At half the price of Shimano LX , with as good or better performance/wear , why look anywhere else .Great XC product !(other than discs what works when wet anyway, honestly ) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ
a racer
from Lima, Ohio
Date Reviewed: February 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
You wussies. These brakes aren't the least bit hard to set up, even though
the spring tension dies after loosening the bolts, that kinda sucks. But besides
that, they are awesome brakes, there's nothing wrong with the cable anchor bolt,
and there is no constant adjusting after setup. People just have to know how
to set things up in the first place. One person here even said he paid to have a
bike shop put them on!! You shouldn't be rating them, butt munch!
The brakes work wonderfully, I can stop on a dime and do back-wheel hops with
only one finger on the lever.Peace out, G. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scorpion
a cross-country rider
from NS Canada
Date Reviewed: January 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Awesome brakes at a bargain b price! I rode mine for the first time in snow and slush, no fade, great power with 1 finger. Ic\ncredinle performeance compared to the canti's i had on before. they aren't too hard to set up, and they work as well as LX for much less. you can get them from Supergo for 30$ US a set, levers included. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crauser
a
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: January 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had my Tektro's for 6 months now. I love these brakes. Real easy to set up, awesome stopping power, and I haven't had any problems with them. I've tried other V-brakes, like LX, XT and Dia Compes, and rate these as just as good or even better than most. These are definite 5 star brakes! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PETE
a cross-country rider
from GAINESVILLE,FL
Date Reviewed: November 20, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I JUST PUT A SET OF TEKTRO V BRAKES ON MY WIFE,S GIANT UPLAND. THEY WORK BETTER THAN THE AVID,S ON MY NEW TREK Y GLIDE. THE BRAKES AND THE LEVERS WERE ONLY $29.00 FROM SUPERGO. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Brown
a weekend warrior
from Hudson, OH
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
My $1,500 Pro-Flex 856 came with old style cantis (LX) so and they did not stop me very well on steep downhills in nearby PA (Allegheny National Forest). LBS offered to upgrade me to Tekro V's and I have been even more disappointed. The adjustments are impossible due to cheapie tension springs and the pads that come with them are easily glazed over if you are riding the brakes on steep downhills, further reducing the stopping power.On the plus side, they are less than half the price of Shimano Xt's (even with installation thrown in) and must be given a few chilis for value.Overall, a 3 star performer, however, I just bit the $$$ and ordered the XT's so I can listen to the squeel and stop on a dime - all for around $125. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan McGaha
a weekend warrior
from Cookeville, TN
Date Reviewed: September 29, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought the brakes only and kept my canti levers. Fantastic stopping power compared to old brakes. I think they look great. I like them so much, I'm putting them on my new bike with Avid SD 2.0L. Only 4 stars since these are the only V-brakes I've ridden. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ
a weekend warrior
from Northern Indiana
Date Reviewed: September 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
A great value at $20/pair for a beginner rider like myself, but many draw-backs
PROS:
- great improvement in stopping power compared to cantilever WHEN properly adjusted
- cheap!
CONS:
- need constant adjustment (tension changes due to cheap tension springs and causes pads to pull to one side while resting, thus causing rubbing)
- difficult adjustment (springs move when tightening due to poor design)
- pads that come with it work well in dry conditions, but are HORRIBLE in wet, muddy condition...
To clear up the brake pad discussions, the pads work fine and you won't notice any excessive wear under normal conditions. HOWEVER, under rainy, wet, or downhilI conditions, you'll tear the pads up like hell...I finished off all my pads in just one trip (14 miles, 800 elevation loss through mud and water)...you won't notice until its too late and your screwed.
Value: 4; Braking power: 4; Ease of use: 1; Durability: 1 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a weekend warrior
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
For the price, they're decent. Kinda mushy, and the setup is kinda a pain, because there's no easy way to adjust the spring tension. I bought them for an old project bike so I don't mind too much, for serious biking, I;d recommend getting LX or better. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Douglas Cowan
a cross-country rider
from Glasgow, Scotland
Date Reviewed: August 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes are incredibly cheap, and most definitely worth looking at if you're considering new brakes (and who of you that are still using cantis aren't?). They are miles better than cantis, and when adjusted properly they work at least as well as my friends' LX V-Brakes -- which are twice the price. There is little point in buying hugely expensive brakes, as the idea of having fun on a mountain bike is not to use them if at all possible! It's better to spend money on more useful things... Apparently the pads you get with them aren't too good -- though I've ridden in excess of 300-500 miles with them and they're only half worn. Perhaps I can expect them to be even better when I get new pads (like the Cool Stop Eagle 2s)! People who say that these brakes are awfully heavy are just obsessive about weight-saving on a Mountain Bike -- if they're that crazy about saving weight, then they should cycle naked!I give 5 stars to them, as they're easier to adjust and work just as well as the LX Shimano ones -- which cost twice as much. I bought both brakes and the levers in the UK for 30 Pounds altogether. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aljo
a weekend warrior
from Vancouver, B.C.
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Got the tektro brakes on my Cove Stiffee, and I think they work well, for the price. Although there is a lot of slop in the levers
But they seem to have lots of stopping power!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Weiss
a racer
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I got a set as a quick fix when my XT's snagged a branch and broke. These brakes SUCK. Terrible adjustment, bad tension, VERY heavy, bad cable anchor and only fair stopping power. I could have used that $20 to buy a shirt or something instead of these cheap brakes. That's exactly what they are, CHEAP. pay the extra $10 and get some LX V's. For God's sake, one set of Tektro's alone weigh more than my rear hub! If I could rate Zero stars, I would. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dingo
a weekend warrior
from Canberra Australia
Date Reviewed: May 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I just put the new updated version of the brakes pictured on my bike. The ones I have look slightly different and come with Kool Stop pads as standard (good to see a company that listens for once). The brakes are great,I personally think they are every bit as good as any other v-brake I have ridden (including rickety xtr's). I'm very happy with these.Also the price wasn,t adjusted upwards for the new model!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Speed
a cross-country rider
from B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: May 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
At half the price of Shimano V's, these are well worth it. They kick ass over any canti's. I have had them for 3 months and my only gripe is that the pads that come with them are shit. Invest in some Eagle 2 Kool-Stops, they really make a difference. I'd rate them 5 except for the pads, so I had to rate them a 4.5 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clinton Tom
a weekend warrior
from Mercer Island
Date Reviewed: May 13, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I found this a great deal for the price. It only costs 25 bucks and works better than I had expected. I have a XT rear brake and they work great together. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Vescovo
a weekend warrior
from Mt. Sinai, NY
Date Reviewed: May 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
For the price these brakes are awesome. They stop very well. The adjustment is a little tedious but well worth it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kim
a cross-country rider
from Denmark
Date Reviewed: May 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I replaced the Shimano cantis on my Mongoose Alta whith these Tektro V brakes, and the result was a big surprise. The work like much better and at under half the price of the Shimano LX V's.
Along with the brakes i also got a pair of Tektro V-brake levers, but watch out. It seems that there are 2 different types in market.
Type 1 har a grey finish and is much better then type 2 wich is black and alu. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marc
a cross-country rider
from gainesville, fl
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a tektro v brake on the rear and the shimano LX v on the front of my bike. The tektro works just as well. It stops like my old XT cantis could never dream of. No matter how fast I'm going they respond with the sample great power. That said the LX brake looks more like a more finished product, and its styling is more atractive. One thing that is anoying about the tektro is how the cable is held on. The cable is fed thru a hole in the right arm, then you clamp down the bolt from the side with an allen wrench. This effectively crimps the cable making it hard to reuse if you changes brakes or take them off. Some say that the brake pads are crappy. I haven't had any problems with mine and the have worn pretty well. Nonetheless, they easy to replace when the time comes.Overall: Good power and cheap prce. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jimmy
a weekend warrior
from sverige
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes suck. my old cantilever brakes where better then these, cheap shimano copies. After a week or so of use i got tierd of these tektro brakes, so i baught a pair of shimanos XT:s, now theres a brake with some power! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Enigma
a
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: April 19, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the Tektro's just because I was fed up with the canti thing. Adjusting too often, not enough braking power, you know the story, right? Well, for the money, they are a great brake. A little heavy, and the spring is a bit temperamental and doesn’t like to keep it’s adjustment, but they are strong and flex free. They do however have one major flaw, Cheesy brake pads. Granted, I use ceramic rims, but still, I got less then a week of good riding out of them! They crumbled like cheese!
I decided to buy a set of Shimano XTR V’s for the downhilling rig, and I’m either going to mount the Tectro’s on my commuting bike, or sell them to a needy friend of mine. For $20 an end they are a good deal and if that’s all you got, it’s definitely worth it. Expect to have to buy better brake pads though to get a good experience. Compared to the quality of canti’s most people are riding around on, they are great and worth five peppers. Compared to the modern breed of mega-stoppers they are only a half ass knock-off.
~Enigma | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Radek
a downhiller
from Adelaide, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I got these V-Brakes with my bike and the Tektro leavers.
These brakes rule!!!! They beat the s*it out of any Cantis.
They also work better then the Shimano M600. You can easily compare them to
the LX V's. The only difference is the price. The Tektro V barkes cost around
$45 AUS each. Cheap!!!!
If anyone wants to get cheap v brakes get
TEKTRO 875s!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig McNaughton
a weekend warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: April 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I replaced the shimano cantis whith these Tektro V brakes, and the result was stunning! One finger stopping both front
and rear, and at under half the price of the cheapest Shimano V's. I've never tried the shimano's so I don't know
whether they're better, but for the money, the Tektro's are the best thing I've put on my bike. They worked OK with
Diacomp PC3 levers, if a bit spongy, but really come into their own with the Tektro V-brake levers (again, wonderfully
cheap). Pad setup is trivial, really ,and really makes me wonder why I struggled for so long with those horrible canti's! | | Overall Rating: |
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