Jack Taylor Tandem

[xerxes]

I changed the original cantilever brakes on my older MTBs for V-brakes, and V-brakes are way better, they're an absolute doddle to set up compared to all that faffing about with link wires with cantilever brakes and the stopping power is just awesome. I reckon the power of my V-brakes is easily a match for the hydraulic disc brakes on my newer bike.

Also, it's all very well being "period correct", but if you want a rider I'd have no hesitation swapping out stuff for better, newer components.

It's worth noting that even on higher end bikes, manufacturers often use cheap, low quality components in less noticeable areas. For example I bought my Marin Pine Mountain new in 1990. The Pine Mountain was their second from top model, the Team. The wheels, hubs, shifters, mechs, chainset, brakes etc., the bits you really notice when you look at the spec, were all good quality parts. The seatpost, handlebars, stem, bottom bracket, headset and saddle, the bits you don't pay so much attention to, were all rather ordinary. The headset and bottom bracket in particular were garbage, quickly wore out and were promptly replaced with something better. The original saddle was also a piece of junk and was replaced within a few days of buying the bike, the handlebars, stem and seatpost were also changed within the first year of having the bike. So from new my bike very quickly became non original as I changed parts to make it suit me better.