| |
Submitted by
rick bensyl
a Cross Country Rider
from tucker,ga, usa
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | any without roots | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light weight, very inexpensive, but not durable | | Weaknesses: | They suck- I had to replace both front and rear v-Brakes after internal bushings disintegrated on the trail, leaving me with the brake in the "on" position.These won't last long if you use them hard. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid, Shimano LX, XT, XTR | | Bike Setup: | Klein Adept, mostly XTR , except SRAM Rear Der. and gripshift | | Bottom Line: | Save up and spend just a few more dollars to Buy Avids or XTRS at somewhere inexpensive online | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geir
a Cross Country Rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Well, I guess they were cheap. | | Weaknesses: | I had all the same problems as the other folks here. Stock pads wear down quickly. Brakes need adjustment constantly, which is quite a hazzle since the brakes are hard to adjust. The final nail in the coffin came when the spring housing broke. | | Bike Setup: | Hardrocx LX/XT | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are cheap, but the quality is VERY poor. Go for something else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterloo, IA, United States
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any tight, twisty singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Improvement over cantilevers
Levers are ergo-friendly | | Weaknesses: | A pain to keep adjusted
Not as powerful as advertised! | | Similar Products Used: | LX cantilevers
Avid 2.0
XT Vbrakes | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher hardtail
Manitou fork | | Bottom Line: | If you're into adjusting and cussing, these brakes are for you! However, they are a power-improvement over cantilevers. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Butcher
a Weekend Warrior
from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bird Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Cheap.
Good braking well it lasted when set up right | | Weaknesses: | Pain to adjust.
Not very durable | | Similar Products Used: | Canti's, Avids, Bulldogs | | Bike Setup: | KHS Summit souped up for trials | | Bottom Line: | Where good brakes if set up properly but they lasted for almost 2 years but I started riding trials and the couldn't take the braking forces and developed play so off to the trashcan they go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from NM USA
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | They are the cheapest but as the saying goes,
you get what you pay for. | | Weaknesses: | Bent the brake lever.
had some of the same problems as -Alacritas a Cross-Country Rider from Alabama -- a few posts down from this.
broke the plastic housing piece and the brakes do not return properly.
Stock pads suck wear out easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid 10s and 20s
Shimano V's
Shimano Cantis | | Bike Setup: | 96 Trek 930
97 Judy C
XT deraillurs
STX RC shifters
STX crank
Sachs Chain
DiaCompe 737 brakes and levers
Matrix wheels(never thought they would last 3 years!!)
| | Bottom Line: | The quality is not good they do not last long.
Better than cantis but if you want V's save up and get something better! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon Coe
a Weekend Warrior
from Tunbridge Wells
Date Reviewed: September 20, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
None found yet | | Weaknesses: |
Self adjusting brake tension drives me nuts, stack pads fade really badly - change to Kool Stops if you want dependable stopping | | Similar Products Used: |
LX - much better | | Bike Setup: |
1999 FSR | | Bottom Line: | If they come as stock, try and upgrade in the shop. If you've got 'em, plan on changing quick. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg W
a Cross-Country Rider
from El Paso,Tx
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
high altitude classic race | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
inexpensive, powerful, good looks | | Weaknesses: |
none so far | | Similar Products Used: |
tektro cantis, lx cantis | | Bike Setup: |
95 KHS Montana Comp, manitou Mach 5 Pro XC | | Bottom Line: | I have used these for a year now, and have yet to see any probs with them. Maybe its the way I installed them... cleaned and polished the brake studs, then coated them with never sieze prior to installing. BIG imporvement over cantis... easier to set up, and consistant braking power. They did stick a little once after a particularly muddy ride, but a little soap and lube fixed them right up. i recommended them to a friend, and he is simliarly pleased with them. 5 chilis to make up for all the other singles. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alacritas
a Cross-Country Rider
from Alabama
Date Reviewed: August 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Cheapest thing going (Supergo special), less slop than any year of Shimano LX, lightweight, appeals to cheapskates like me | | Weaknesses: |
I the d@mned caliper's spring housinge BROKE in half and jammed | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano LX Vees, XTR Vees | | Bike Setup: |
Trusty '95 Trek hardtail w/ Zoke Z1-alloy | | Bottom Line: | I used to have nothing but good things to say about these calipers. Of course the pads and the levers are crap (everyone should know that before they buy them), but I always liked the arms. I considered them to be superior in every way to Shimano LX Vees. That was until my right front caliper ^%*&^ing broke. The spring housing piece broke in half, so it was jamming against the arm itself. I could squeeze it against the rim, but it wouldn't release. So I had to get out of the woods with no front brake. I'm a little bitter about that, which is why I'm posting a review. I take back every nice thing I've ever said in techtalk about Diacrap brakes. Of course I threw out the instructions, but maybe I'll find an 800# from this site. I'm gonna call 'em and ask them to make this right. Diacompe, you b@stards, you'd better be ready to hear from me! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
litefreek
a Cross-Country Rider
from Speicher, Germany
Date Reviewed: August 17, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
George's trail | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Cheap | | Weaknesses: |
Setting them up | | Similar Products Used: |
Cantis | | Bike Setup: |
Litespeed, xt - lx mix | | Bottom Line: | Got these from supergo for christmas 98. Put them on and had a real hard time adjusting them. Had the same problems everyone else did. Would go out of adjustment, rub the rim,..ect. Told a buddy of mine and he said to back the spring tension all the way out, then in just enough to have VERY LITTLE tension. This was the trick. After that, no problems with staying centered. I did replace the pads up front, thought they were to soft. Replaced them with some from the LBS. Much better now. Do get a squeal from the front, but think thats do to toe in/out adjustment being off. Stopping power is excellent compared to cantis. Havnt tried any other vees though. For fun I put my old cantis to do a comparison. Was afraid I wasnt going to stop in time!! Put the vees back on that same day. Overall, worth the money. Pain in the butt to set up the first time. after that AOK. Pads that came with it were a little to soft for me.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross-Country Rider
from State College, PA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
all | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Cheap.
Look like they are made well | | Weaknesses: |
Spring tension is garbage. | | Similar Products Used: |
Tektros, LX | | Bike Setup: |
hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Cheap as dirt
Would not recommend though.
The spring tension is a non for the return. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Austin
a Weekend Warrior
from SG
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
quarry | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Cheap but lousy | | Weaknesses: |
slippery brakes...
not powerful | | Similar Products Used: |
i tried b4 nearly all the dia-compe and NON ARE GOOD!!!!! | | Bike Setup: |
Rockhopper A1 FS
RS Judy XC
XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | i had thrown this brake away and now im using LX......LX is many many hell times better than this brake!!
keep clear frm it!!!!
i dun think it deserve any chilis.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clay Shipman
a Racer
from Lancaster, PA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Moab | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Very inexpensive for V Brakes. I work at a bike shop and I would choose these brakes over a lot of the other crap I see. | | Weaknesses: |
Hard to center, but manageable. Can squeel if pads are not correctly towed. | | Similar Products Used: |
XTR Brakes, XT Brakes, LX Brakes, Magura, Dia Compe 747, 757, Disc, Coda, Hayes Disc, Hope Disc, Stamped Steel, RockShox Disc, All other Brakes.
(I work in a bike shop.) | | Bike Setup: |
Canondale DS, Fatty Pro
GT Team, SID
Trek Pro 9.9, SID
Trek Elite 9.8, SID
Giant XTC SE-1, Judy XC
Giant ATX DS, BoXXer
Raleigh, Indy S
Pro Flex, Girvin Vector
Ellsworth Dare, ZZYZX
Trek 6000, Manitou SX D
Trek 7000, Judy XC
Trek 8000, Manitou SX
Trek 8500, Judy 100
Trek 8900, Judy SL
Giant Boulder, RIGID
Giant Rincon, RIGID
Trek 800, RIGID
Trek 810, SYNC FLY
REMEMBER: I Work At A Bike Shop!!! | | Bottom Line: | These brakes performed well after I had adjusted them properly. At first they squeeled, but new pads and adjustments fixed that. For the money, these brakes are the best you can get. My advise is to buy them as an upgrade from cantilevers, otherwise go with Shimano LX. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Wither
a Cross-Country Rider
from Steamboat, CO
Date Reviewed: June 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
worked well the first couple of monthes | | Weaknesses: |
back cable streched, and of course one of the rear pads developed an urge to remain against the rim long after I had stopped breaking. | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale F500 - got it used and put new components on it - hoped to save a bit getting these breaks over shimano ones - not a good idea | | Bottom Line: | if you want cheep v-breaks and don't ride much, or you like messing with your brakes as much as you ride these are the brakes for you, otherwise try to avoid them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jaomir
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: June 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Good enough to stop ya..
looks are ok... | | Weaknesses: |
stuck to my rims thus slowing me down....
not good enough to hold u.. | | Bike Setup: |
RH A1 FS | | Bottom Line: | It came with my rockhopper....at first they are strong
but later the front brake arm did not return.....
thinking of changing to LX Vs......
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross-Country Rider
from Antioch, CA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Ridge Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Low cost, nice workmanship, nice design (enclosed spring, bronze pivot bushing). | | Weaknesses: |
Invariably, one arm doesn't return. Not well sealed so water and dirt can get into bearing area. Too little clearance in bearing area (I've concluded this after all the fooling around I've done with this brake). If a little dirt and/or water gets in, the arm(s) bind. | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano Deore LX V brake (replaced pads with Aztecs). | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale Killer V-HT with DD60 HeadShock and a KEI HydraPost. | | Bottom Line: | Buy the Shimano LX brake. The pads stink but overall you'll be screwing with the brakes less. Initially, I thought these brakes were great (see my 2 other reviews), but now I've given up on them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fatboy
a Weekend Warrior
from FL
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Oakmt. AL | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
cheap,easy to install | | Weaknesses: |
hard to keep adj. Rubs rim [rear] no matter what within 15 min. | | Similar Products Used: |
XT-better but $$ XTR-better but $$$$ Cantis are pitiful | | Bottom Line: | you get what you pay for | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a Cross-Country Rider
from State College, PA
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
price | | Weaknesses: |
Spring strength balance and power | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are hard to get set up right. Regardless of how much I adjust the spring tension, they refuse to go back equally. I am so tired of having one rub on the rim while the other is 2 cm away. And it is never consistant which side, so the screw is not moving. Also, the brakes lack power. It could be my rims, but I do not think so. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ed
a Cross-Country Rider
from Novi, MI
Date Reviewed: April 9, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Highland Recreation Area | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Very light
good modulation | | Weaknesses: |
doesn't center worth a ?@##@ | | Similar Products Used: |
Tektro v-brakes
LX Cantilevers | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn 6061 alum Hardtail, All XT, Judy SL..... | | Bottom Line: | These are going for dirt cheap at supergo right now. I just got mine a few days ago. They are easy to install and seem to have excellent mudulation. But they need constant adjustment. They seem to have a little friction or something when under the spring load which makes for inconsistent pressure. The end result is that you need to give the adjuster screws a turn quite often. But what do you expect for $25.00. The good news is that the handles brake and levers are quite light and they work damn well. a major improvement over ANY cantilever system and as good as any v brakes costing over twice as much. The rubbing is hardley noticeable but if you are a perfectionist these brakes will drive you crazy. I have actually adjusted them and then pulled the brake four or five times and they are out of adjustment again. No big deal though. four chilies because they are light and cheap and work better than I expected for the price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ZACH WENTZEL
a Cross-Country Rider
from BRIGHTON, MI
Date Reviewed: April 6, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
ISLAND LAKE, MI | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
THEY STOP. | | Weaknesses: |
IT TOOK ME FOREVER TO GET THE SPRING TENSION CORRECT AND EVEN THEN IT DIDN'T LAST. THEY KEPT RUBBING ON MY RIM. | | Bike Setup: |
THEY CAME ON SPECIALIZED ROCKHOPPER A1 COMP FS. | | Bottom Line: | THEY MAY BE INEXPENSIVE, BUT SPEND THE EXTRA FEW BUCKS AND GET SHIMANO'S. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a weekend warrior
from Hyannis, MA
Date Reviewed: March 1, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
These are replacing the stock Acera canti on my Mongoose Alta SX. I got them for $25 the complete set including levers and cables from supergo.com. The installation is very simple even without any instructions in the package. It's funny because on the brakes and on the levers you have a big yellow warning sticker asking you to read the instructions before installation....where's the beef ? Anyway, the improvement in the braking performance is more then significant, the braking power and the modulation are very good. I'm very happy with the upgrade and for the money you cannot beat the performance. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a cross-country rider
from Vic, Aust
Date Reviewed: February 17, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Came as OEM on my '99 FSR. Seem pretty cool so far. Original moulding on the pads is pretty bad, though - I had to sand them to get the mould line out, which greatly enhanced braking. The pads are rock hard, though so I'll get some Kool Stops when I need to. In the meantime, coarse sanding now and then will do fine. Light, simple and easy to adjust. I like 'em like that! Just hope they don't get sloppy, like Arch Supreme's do (from new, too!) 4 scorched nutty logs. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a racer
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: February 2, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I put in a full race season with these with some problems. First the tension spring inside the base of the brake arm became bent and I had to bend it back. I have no idea how it happened. Second, every 2-3 weeks I had to adjust the tension screws on both side quite a bit otherwise braking would becomne almost undetecable. I say if your going to upgrade from cantis spend a few extra bucks and get some avids. I have heard some problems with Shimanos but many say they work great. Overall an acceptable economy brake for OEM | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bruce
a weekend warrior
from FL
Date Reviewed: January 30, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Just upgraded to 733's from cantis, had a problem with the pads that came with them, they were putting grooves in my rims, I since put on Kool stops and have no complaints whatsoever. Easy to adjust, one finger stopping, and great modulation. 4 chilis since i did have problems with the pads. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sage
a racer
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: January 20, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I dont have the 737 but I have the new 733. They are a big inprovment on the 737's. I have had them since they came out and they haven't failed me once. I am a big xc racer and I got all my racing budds to switch from there Shimano V-brakes to the 733's. they all love them and they are really cheap ($39 from SuperGo) I give them a 5 and recamend them to any hardcore rider. The great stoping power and they are easy to adjust. They are the best set of brakes I have ever had. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don Fisha
a cross-country rider
from West Coast Scoltand
Date Reviewed: January 20, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the Vc737 V brakes attached to a 98 Gary Fisher Marlin. Being used to older style brakes, I nearly came off the handles bars the first time I used the brakes properly. After getting used to them though, I found that they worked well for ages, but the only problems I get are that the front brakes often squealed a lot (even after re-adjustment and toeing in) and that because I had rims with a fairly small braking area, the pads would often clip the tire or would try to stop using the spokes. As a result, I'm getting a set of parallel mechanism XT V brakes to overcome this. Overall, decent brakes, easy to maintain, but keep your cables clean. I'll give em a four cause they haven't broken on me yet . . . unlike my seatpost did. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a cross-country rider
from Antioch, CA
Date Reviewed: January 15, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I posted a review about 8-1/2 months ago. Since then, the only complaint is one side on the rear has a tendency to stick (not want to return). Taking them apart and lubing the bushing works, but I've found also that the pads seem to want to stick to the rim. Sandpapering the pads works for a while. I haven't tried new pads yet because the originals are not worn out and work fine. These brakes would be great if I didn't have to keep screwing with them (however, I hear that other V's have return problems also). So I'll knock them down from 4 to 3 flamin' chilies. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sulliwan
a downhiller
from somewhere
Date Reviewed: January 11, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Don't even think of buyn'them. Worst brakeset i ever had! Came with my Marin Alpine Trail and wore out within 3 weeks. They need adjustment every time u ride and before and after too. After all, they won't stop you. Will give them 1 poor-poor chili, still they are little bit better than nothing.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fritz
a cross-country rider
from ATLANTA GA
Date Reviewed: December 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought these brakes as a replacement for my canti's.I should have kept my canti's on they worked better. After only a few months the cast spring housings broke when one started it's like they all went I ended up with 3 out of the 4 broke So I bought a set of XT's and love them .I would not reccomend 737's to anyone. They won't center either. If I could I would give no chillis and use this as a warning to anyone who might want to buy them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jimbob
a cross-country rider
from ct
Date Reviewed: December 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I recently bought these brakes from Supergo. I must say they work great. I love the plushness of the levers. They are definitely worth the $39 bucks. They also improve the look of my bike. I would recommend these brakes to anyone looking for a deal without the loss of quality. They may not be XTR V's but they sure are close. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ET
a weekend warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: December 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
They don't work well when they are wet especially in the front. It gives just
enough power and it looks great.The breaks don't spring back after 3 months
on my giant 840. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jb
a cross-country rider
from PA USA
Date Reviewed: December 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had these for about 6 mo. now, and they are outstanding! very inexpensive, and yet they are incredible stoppers. True one finger levers. THe people who have given these bad reviews just dont know how to set brakes up. the pads wear well, and don't sqeal a bit. the breaks are easy to service and the spring is located entirely inside the sleeve so it doesn't get mucked up. DOn't waste your money on overpriced underfunctioning shimano brakes its all here. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quad
a racer
from IL
Date Reviewed: December 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I build and repair bikes at a local shop, and my girl friend has these on her trek 6500. The pads wore down too quickly and they come out of adjustment very easily. They do stop well when just adjusted, the front brake does make noise,even after toeing in and changing pads many times. Great brake if you ride only one a month | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a cross-country rider
from Statesboro, GA
Date Reviewed: November 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes are fine if you are a drooling idiot! I bought the set thinking that all V-brakes operated on the same simple principles, so how could it be any different on a cheaper set than an expensive one. These things suck. They look decent and that's about it. I got mine in XTR grey and that was the one good thing about them. Even when they worked right (for the week that they did) they were ass. I bought them brand new from a bike shop and had them installed there. The springs quit working right after about 2 weeks of normal riding. Now they don't come back out after you pull them in. Then the cable comes out of the slot in the brake lever because there is no tension holding them back out. The bike shop guy is just as baffled by it as I am... I hate these things with a passion! They are just what I thought they were, CHEAP BRAKES!!! Too bad I have to give this thing one pepper, because it dosen't deserve it! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
monkey boy ballerina
a downhiller
from downtown UK
Date Reviewed: October 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
jisom monkeys and slime surfers use this brake set. its scabby and brakes after a couple of weeks if you do any fast stuff. basically they aint up to the job so i suggest spending your penies on XT as they dont cost that much for what they are. apparently i havent got enough words to submitt this, ive already had to rewrite it once as it thought one of the words i used was unsuitable for children. it was only pu*sy anyway. this should be enough words though
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a cross-country rider
from Cincinnati Ohio
Date Reviewed: October 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I love them they have never let Me down excpt once when bombing down a STEEP hill but other then that they are great mid-priced V brakes that came with My KHS Descent I'am considering upgrading to XT or XTR but than I want a new bike anyway i give them 5 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a cross-country rider
from Weymouth, MA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes are an extraordinary mid-level V brake. The set, including levers cost me about $40 and they've been over 200 road miles and 125 off-raod miles since last fall. The only step you should take to retain your sanity is take them to a shop and pay the shop to fix them once you try to install them. It'll cost another $10-15, but they'll work perfectly and need no adjustment. Do this each time you install new pads too. I would buy these again if money could be spent on better drivetrain components, otherwise I'd go with a non-Shimano aftermarket set-up. And I'd keep the levers. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a downhiller
from Whistler B.C Canada.
Date Reviewed: October 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This brakes are awesome! I am very light (90 lbs) but I ride very hard, and I haven't had a single problem with these brakes. They are lacking in the modulation department a bit, but other than that the action can't get any better
I got these brakes on my 98' FSR and they rule!
Five Chillies | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
someone
a cross-country rider
from caracas, venezuela
Date Reviewed: September 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I cant see how people even review this shit, they R nothing but a piece of crap, and need 1000 times more adjustment than any other part of my bike, sometimes i even had to readjust them 3 times before getting home or if not my pads would dissapear, or should I say PAINT my bike in black, also ALL black pads sUck to much unless U live in the dessert 'cause just a drop of water and they'd do the dissapearing act, O.K bro if you have this brakes throw them away NOW!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thom
a
from weekend warrior
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These puppies WORK and they are CHEAP, so whats not to like. Bought mine at
Supergo with the PC7EXA adjustable modulation levers, which work great for me,
and they allow me to fine tune the mushiness, to avoid that wheel grabbing, toss
you over the bars effect I have felt on borrowed bikes of friends. Centering is not completely set and forget, but its only a couple of seconds to adjust them for those occasional times when it might need recentering. Choice of pads is limited, same as any LX style V-brake, due to integral posts, unless you want to plunk down $60 for a set of Shimano XT pads with
holders (or buy two entire sets of XT calipers for $58 and throw away all but the pads and holders, and I am still trying to figure out that pricing)They have been stopping me for almost a full round of seasons in the soggy, steep, Northwest, resisting my hefty 190pounds, and they are truely one finger braking with good modulation. Maybe using cheap lined Dia-compe cables instead of that pricey teflon housing helps balance the modulation and keeps them from being too touchy. who knows, who cares, they work to stop me, and work with my limited budget. Their stock pads quickly wear out and can then be replaced with good pads like KoolStop Thinlines(with integral post). Which further improves their performance.Keep the mounting posts well lubed, which is easy as any spray lube gets in there quite nicely. This will help with centering also.Its encouraging to find a good bang for the buck product occasionally and really nice to buy outside of the Shimano Monopoly. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nwbiker
a cross-country rider
from Washington State
Date Reviewed: August 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes really work well. Said to be better than shimano w/o all the squeeking. Right now I am running them with XTR levers. I was thinking of going to XTR but then relized why? these are as good. And cold forged arms.
These are a good by and great brakes, buy em | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CHARLES
a cross-country rider
from TUSCALOOSA , AL USA
Date Reviewed: August 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I LOVE MINE THEY WORK GREAT AND KEEP ME FROM HITTING TREES ROCKS AND FROM GOING OVER THE EDGE OF THE TRAIL AT OAK MOUNTAIN . THE ONLY PROBLEM I' VE FOUND SO FAR IS THE SAME ONE EVERYBODY ELSE HAS . KEEPING THE F*#$!@S CENTERED. YOU HAVE TO LUBE THE BRAKE POST A LOT AND FIDDLE WITH THE TENSION SCREWS ALL THE TIME . ONCE YOU FIGURE THEM OUT ITS NO PROBLEM . 4 FLAMERS BECUASE THEY ARE CHEAP AND THEY KICK THE SHIMANO OUT OF MY OLD SHIMANO LX CANTIS. I HAVE RIDDEN WITH SOME AVIDS ON A FRIENDS BIKE AND COULD FEEL A SLIGHT DIFFERENC. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ICER
a cross-country rider
from Rumia, POLAND
Date Reviewed: August 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes are really good. I bought them with ESP 7.0 levers for about 60 $.
They work well, and it isn't true that they are hard to tune up. It takes me about 15 minutes (i'm not a profesionalist). There is a big hole between these brakes and Tektro v-brakes which i 've tested for 3 months. They are real better. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dana
a cross-country rider
from Madison,WI
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The 737's are adequate, but require attention in terms of spring tension adjustments. The came on my Fisher Marlin, and I was disgusted with them until I sat down and got to know them. To their credit they are simple, and overhauling them is a breeze, and they do stop the bike. The pads are difficult to center properly because of the awkward convex bushings, and I keep getting the urge to upgrade. Somthing in me just isn't satisfied. The will work well in light to moderate use, but consider XT's or Avid 2.0's if you plan on beating on them at all. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin L.
a weekend warrior
from Toronto, ON
Date Reviewed: August 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Came stock on the Trek 6500ZX, great brakes. Was kinda skeptical about these brakes considering all the hype surrounding the Shimano V-brakes. These brakes work powerfully, stop you quick. Work surprisingly well going downhill on single-track. I did look at some price listings and discovered that if you buy these brakes independently they ARE CHEAP! EXTREMELY CHEAP! I would say these are a better value brake than Shimano upper-end V-brakes (eg. XT/XTR). Also, no finger nail on chalkboard-like squeeling. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Drake
a cross-country rider
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: July 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The Diacomp 737's are good product at a great price. I bought these with levers from Supergo for 35 dollars, after getting tired of adjusting my damn Machinetech brakes after every ride. The brake pads have worn considerably and still I have not touched them since installation. I like the Machinetech levers so I have not used the DiaComp levers. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
peter
a weekend warrior
from MI
Date Reviewed: July 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes are one of the best things that came with my Gary Fisher Marlin - like the rest of the bike, they're cheap and quite passable. Stopping power is more than adequate even on severe downhills, and i get no squeaks. The centering probem is an issue only until you fiddle with them a bit. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a weekend warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: July 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great brakes. They came with my bike, and these brakes were very effective! I would recommend these brakes to any beg. or int. riders. hope you decide to go with these great brakes too! Even though all v-brakes are great these ones seem to enhance top performence. I give them five chillies. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew D
a weekend warrior
from
Date Reviewed: June 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The worst V style brake. The main flaw is that it has coil springs to keep the arms in tension get a brake with linear springs.To me the springs seemed to work themselves out of their retaining hole, leaving one arm with tension and one arm constantly rubbing the rim.The levers suck too.NO STARS | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kelly
a weekend warrior
from Suisun Ca
Date Reviewed: May 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is my second season on these brakes. Great brakes for the money. Read the instructions when you get them and put them on...Nothing bad to say about these brakes. They stop on a dime... Buy em!Supergo has them for less than $ 40 for a complete set. It's about the only part a SUPERGO worth calling them over. Anything else ....go elsewhere... terrible service! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a cross-country rider
from Antioch, CA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great brakes for the money. No problems setting them up (I think centering
problems others have had are caused by not lubing the bushing). The pads make a
scraping sound when you get on them hard (like sandpaper on the rims). The DP-7
levers aren't bad, but the lever arm could be a little wider to distribute the
load across your fingers more. They have a lot of travel before they hit the
bar (nice). Why buy Avids, which cost 4X as much? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
I DOG
a cross-country rider
from MD
Date Reviewed: April 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
All i can say is
AWESOME BRAKING FOR $35
WHERE CAN YOU GO WRONG??????
i got mine from supergo, brakes front and back and the v levers for such an awesome price. i havnt had a problem with them yet and they were easy to set up. i was thinking about getting some shimano's but i saw the cheapest LX v brakes were $20 bucks each. you cant go wrong with the 737's. i got mine cause my cantis were squealing like carls mom. since i got my v's i havnt had bloody ears again!
ill give them. . . . | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manuel
a weekend warrior
from Madison, Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: March 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The DCs came stock on my Gary Fisher and I love them.
These are the first linear pull brakes that I own, so I cannot compare to other brands, but they are powerfull, much, much easier to tune than centerpulls, and have given me six months worth of dependable stopping power with minimal servicing.
I have not had any problems with bits braking or not being able to conter them, though I did lube them when I bought the bike. After this first thourough lubbing I just drop oil in the cables about once a month and ajusted the cable once due to cable stretching and pad wear.
I ride all year long, including winter, and the pads do get harder with the cold, but stopping power and modulation are still enough and increadibly better than my old centerpulls.
The pads are going at a reasonable rate given that I use the bike to commute everyday on top of the occasional off-road ridding on weekends. They should last some six months more.
I find the DCs very good, and given their price when bought separately, an exceptional value for price.
, and the Shimano's m
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evil Yak
a weekend warrior
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These are some damn powerful brakes. They stop like some crazy MFs but unfortunately, modulation stinks. My back tires keep skidding. Even when you just touch the levers. They are friggin cool though. Heh heh.. They're stiff and they are easy to set up too. I love 'em.
heh heh
I guess I can't worry too much about modulation because they're not disc brakes but whatever.. I got a baseball bat.. Heh heh..I give it five thingies (flaming, heh heh)...
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Smith
a cross-country rider
from Parma,Oh
Date Reviewed: March 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just got the Diacompe Brakeset. Imagine $35.00 for the complete set. This is my first set of long arm cantilevers and they work great. The instructions were simple, but effective and I had no problems getting them set up or adjusted.
I think some of the problems encountered from a couple of the others was from
impatience and lack of attention to detail. For instance, the brake bosses need to be cleaned and lubed per instructions or problems will occur. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sandy legge
a downhiller
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: February 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These Brakes were the one that came with my bike and after about 3 mounths the pads on them had worn down past the ware limit I find that there just like any other brake of that price range and that they are very because of these brakes fell on a nutty down hill which I shouldn't of been doing any way. Not BAD! | | Overall Rating: |
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