Gunnar Cycles USA Message Board

Just wondering what brakes the rest of you use on your Crosshairs and if you're happy with your choice. I'm looking at Avid Shorty 4 or 6 but I've seen on other forums they have a tendancy to squeal. That would drive me crazy.
Thanks,

I have had poor luck with the Avid brakes squealing myself. I have had good luck with the Shimano BR-R550 cantis and the Tektro Minis(926a or something like that) which is a short arm V brake that works with road levers. bikeman.com has them!

Avid's work fine if you set them up right
It is important that the front edge of the pad leads the rear. I use either a thin match or a small cable tie (1-2 mm thickness). Set it up with your tire OFF the rim so you can see the position of the pad on the rim. This is an iterative process - expect it to take 30-45 minutes. Get things close - then use a velcro strap to tighten the brake with the lever onto the rim while holding the 1-2 mm spacer in place. You loosen the pad, make sure it is contacting the rim and then tighten. Works like a champ. New pads can squeal - so get out and ride!
Spend some time here:
http://www.cyclocrossworld.com/Tech.cfm

Cheers and squeal free braking!

_________________
Steve "Single Speed" Arrivo

"Somewhere there's a nice, sunny place with warm breezes and shady palms where all the second-place guys train."
Bob Kennedy
USA Record Holder, 3000 and 5000 Meter Runs

I like the Avids Shorty 6. They are strong and light.With Mavic Open Pros,they can't be beat. Set up is vital.Take your time and they will perform muddy or dusty.

Gunnerluver

Running old school Pauls Cantis on my Christmas present Crosshairs. Only ridden it 40 mins on Christmas day and they seem to work OK.

I'm running the last edition of the Shimano XT's. Work great with the Sachs Ergo levers. I had been using V's with a travel agent but didn't care for them.

_________________
Steel - is there anything it can't do?

Paul Components touring cantis work great.

I've had good luck with the Tektro Oryx brakes and Kool Stop Salmon mtb pads (threaded posts) on my touring frame. The stock brake pads are not great.

Tektro seems to make decent quality knockoffs at a good price...though I definitely would love some Pauls one day.

When you can buy Avid's with Rim Wrangler pad for $7.50 a wheel on e-bay why buy Tektro? I threw all of those I had away - they are about useless if you actually need brakes (emergency stop - like an unexpected cliff!

email me and I'll hook you up with this guy.
Happy braking!

_________________
Steve "Single Speed" Arrivo

"Somewhere there's a nice, sunny place with warm breezes and shady palms where all the second-place guys train."
Bob Kennedy
USA Record Holder, 3000 and 5000 Meter Runs

hmm.. not sure which Tektros you've used, but the Oryx model works well and doesn't squeal (though the stock pads aren't great, as I mentioned) . I have them set up with pretty standard Shimano aero brake levers (Tiagra level).

http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp ... ='1255-00'