That's what you need. You'll also need some ferrules for the end of the housing and cable ends and brake noodles. A little bit of lube for inside the housing, and grease for the brake studs would be nice.

100 nipples for 10 bucks is right around cost. Did you know what length spokes you need? Or what length nipples? Were the nipples brass or aluminum? Were the DT Swiss or an off-brand? Chances are the eBay seller was just some guy trying to get rid of all the crap in his shop. eBay is eBay. I can go to Hollister and pick up a pair of jeans for 40 bucks, I can find the same pair of jeans on eBay for 10 bucks. LBS needs to have a profit margin so they can keep the lights on and pay their employees. Chainstores and online retailers can sell for less because they sell in greater quantities.

Your LBS will have bulk cables and housing. Roughly 1.25 a foot for housing and 4.99 for a cable is acceptable. Avid makes some real good sets. Most online retailers will have a few different options.

When cutting the housing, it is important to make sure that you do nice smooth bends. Use a high quality cutter, do not crimp or crush the housing. Use an awl to open up the end of the housing. Put a ferrule at each cut end (except for the end that goes in the brake noodle. If your bike was set up for canti, it may not have the housing stops for the v-brakes. You may need to run full length housing. If you get coated cables, DO NOT use lubes like Rock & Roll Cable Magic. If you have uncoated cables, I feel that it can make a pretty good difference.

 

I wouldn't

I hate to be one of those guys who says 'stuff was better back in the day' but I actually belive it for canti brakes.

I had a set of LX canti brakes with grey Kool Stop pads on my old singlespeed (now sold) that would kick ass over any v-brake I have ever owned.

It's all in the setup. You can change the pull ratio on Canti brakes that is not adjustable on v-brakes. Canti's are a total PITA to set up, but once you figure it out, they rock.

THe foil hat crowd believes that V-Brakes were invented to save bike mechanic's initial setup time of a new bike. I don't know if I believe that, but it would not surprise me.

Check out Sheldon Brown's site for canti setup tips.

 

My XT canti brakes match the power of my dad's Promax Vees. New pads too.

XSL_WiLL - What do you mean make nice bends? What does a high quality cutter look like?

 

Nice and smooth. Don't make them too short, don't make them too long. Sharp bends will create a lot of friction within the housing. It'll give a very poor feel.

Any Park or Shimano cutter will do.