Strengths: Sturdy, powerful enough, simple and intuitive to adjust. It also looks fine.
Weaknesses: Brake pads are too flexible.
Bottom Line:
This braking system has enough power - with some effort it can lock each wheel, which is the best any system can do. However, I do find the brake pads too flexible compared to my road bike's cartridge pads. I think the pads should have a metal backing to stiffen them up a little. Regardless, this braking system is still adequate and its affordable.
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Alamos, NM
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2007
Strengths: Light, inexpensive, don't squeal, stop very well (especially when paired with Avid Speed-dial levers)
Weaknesses: spring adjustment screws round out easily
Bottom Line:
These are among the best v-brakes I have ever used. They're incredibly light and provide as much stopping power as any other v-brake I've used. When coupled with Avid speed-dial levers, they result in excellent one-fingered braking with enough power to lock either wheel but very good modulation as well. Also, unlike the XT they replaced, they do not squeal, or if they do, it can be fixed by minor pad adjustment.
The spring tension screws are kind of crappy and the philips head rounds off really easily. Plus, normal screw heads have no place on a bike; it should be a hex head. I suggest replacing them with hex-headed set screws immediately. Odds are your LBS has some just calipers sitting around that you can cannibalize.
Similar Products Used: XT v-brakes (do NOT use, front squeals like crazy and cannot be fixed)
Bike Setup: Decked out Rockhopper
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kyle
a Cross Country Rider
from Japan
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2003
Strengths: Relatively light, easy to install and set up. Inexpensive.
Weaknesses: Stock pads wear quickly in wet, muddy conditions.
Bottom Line:
When stock pads are gone, replace with quality items from Aztec, KoolStop or other brand name. Low price means you can replace entire brake twice for the cost of Shimano Deore. Great brakes for the novice, upgrade to Avid or Shimano if you start racing or become addicted to downhill trails.
Bike Setup: Supergo Access, SID XC fork, LX/Mavic 517 wheelset, LX shifters and derailleurs, Race Face turbine LP crankset.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
JimmyCrack
a Weekend Warrior
from West-e-ville
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2002
Strengths: They work great - stop like crazy - easy to modulate!
Weaknesses: No bragging rights
Bottom Line:
This review is really for Tektro 829A's, but this was the closest listing I could find. I bought these as new bike take-offs for $30 for the full set - front & rear with levers and pads. I've seen some cheaper Tektros with plastic pivot collar, but these have aluminum collars and work great - no worries about stripping the tensioner screw. These are every bit as good as Shimano Deore's, which they closely resemble. The levers that came with them (Tektro AL-360A type)are very similar to Avid AD-3's (or SD-5's without the power adjustment). They're nicer than Deore levers (which are OK) and much better than LX levers (which I hated and replaced with these). I hope whoever had these taken off their new bike did it to put discs on 'cause otherwise they wasted their money by turning up their nose at these without trying them. Bottom line: If you must have big-time brand names on all your components regardless of whether they work or not you won't even consider these because they don't cost enough for you, but if you'd rather be smart and get great parts for cheap prices buy these.
Weaknesses: They have almost no power to them. The brake pads were awful and almost gone the first time I went Down Hilling with them. They are very flexi and every time I adjust them they go back out of place.
Bottom Line:
Well if you are a DownHiller do not buy these brakes they are ok for XC but there are for sure better one out there. I am going to upgrade because I am getting more into to DH and Urban stuff so these have no ware near the power I need. I don't know if I just got one of the bad one I the group but with my experience if you have v-brakes on your bike do not upgrade to these Tektros and I will never get a bike with Tektros on it again.
Similar Products Used: Avid speed dial 2 and XT v-brakes
Bike Setup: Oryx with a Psylo XC
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Stephen Hulley
a Weekend Warrior
from Derby, UK
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2002
Strengths: Cheap, squidgy, great braking power
Weaknesses: Bending now, need replacing
Bottom Line:
These things have been great. As soon as I got my bike I started customising. These are the only things I never considered replacing. However, after four years (the first two of which, they were getting twice daily use) they have bent badly and need replacing, so I'm going for some discs.
Be wary of the other reviews on this page. These brakes come standard on a lot of mid-range MTBs. Sure, they can send you over the bars if you break hard, but most brakes will if you squeeze them hard. Besides, learn how to brake people!
Not a bad brake, but the levers lack customizability and the pads will lose their adjustment quickly. If you've got 'em then stick with them for a while. If you are looking to buy, get something better.
A fair value rating, but lower overall because there's better brakes out there.
Submitted by
Mikko Lehtonen
a Cross Country Rider
from Finland
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2002
Strengths: Black ;> lightweight. Easy to clean (hot water, soap and my fathers toothbrush). They really work, 2 times I have flown over the bar :) pain! They make a terrible noise when wet&muddy but still work. I've used them for downhill and they still work. Probably the best brakes I have!
Weaknesses: The pads melted partly on my rim when I was downhilling..but the brakes work. Pads make rims sh!tty, but thats the pads fault...diffucult to clean when on bike? Oh yeah, they _freeze_ when in snow!!!!!!!
Bottom Line:
Best brakes I have ever got with the bike from the shop. Not as good as discs when it's muddy etc. The look nice, work and last! I'll give 4 flaming chilis 'cause I've used them for only 9 months. And for the value rating, I'll also give 4 chilis 'cause they came with the bike without raising the price!
Strengths: they are damn easy 2 set up. unless u are a restard
Weaknesses: well, they snapped
Bottom Line:
i dont know what u guys are crying about, theese brakes actaully stop u!. and u can actually take them off road,,! they are not just for foot paths.. i know that they are povo.. but u cant be fussy. my brakes did not come out of allignment or anything, they worked fine, they just lacked power, they just have 2 be maintained and set up right, they were goin fine un till a few months ago my front brakes pretty much snapped while braking,, resulting in pain,. well thank god i dont ride that bike anymore they can be set up hell tight for manualing
Submitted by
Kwik- Z
a Cross Country Rider
from severna park, md
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2001
Strengths: Good stopping power, when well adjusted
Weaknesses: they get wacked out of adjustment all the time. One arm will rub all over the rim, it seems like no matter how i adjust, its only a quick fix and soon they are at it again. The front rubbed so much a loostened it a lot, and now its effectively like not having a front brake.
Bottom Line:
A good powerful brake. As i mentioned they become mal-adjusted often. When they don't rub all over the rim, they can be tightened very close to the rim, and provide a lot of power. my advice would be to avoid these brakes, but if one found a good deal, they are powerful, but perhaps too much of a hassle to deal with. i'm upgrading to Avid single digit 5.
Submitted by
Kelvin Loke
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2001
Strengths: Very powerful, very light, looks great! Also damned cheap!
Weaknesses: None!
Bottom Line:
Have no problems regarding moderation. These brakes are very strong, even when my rims are covered in mud, they still bite very well. My are in yellow color, so they're very striking. The rear brakes lock up easily, I never had so much fun sliding before! Buy it!
These came as original equipment on a '00 Specialized Rockhopper I recently parted with after 1,000 miles. I had a great first impression of these brakes when they were new, even as they weren't all that good in modulation... at least they stopped the bike quickly and reliably.
150 miles in, it seemed like the calipers were made of soft rubber and were no longer stopping the bike like they did. I suspected stretched cables, so I fixed that. Rode on. 50 miles later, same problem. Replaced cables with Flaks... didn't fix the problem. I then suspected frame flex. Bought a Gorilla brake beefer for the rear (the main problem). That fixed the frame flex, all right, but rear stopping was still squishy and worrisome. Front had always been OK for stopping strength, but dangerously awkward in modulation. Then there's the pads: quiet in wet and muddy conditions all right, but lose nearly all stopping ability!
Conclusion: great value for recreational, pavement rides (I'd put these on my cruiser, no problem); a downright awful pick for any bike that sees the slightest bit of dirt
