Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Shimano Altus replacement
#1
I have Shimano Altus BR-CT90-M V-brakes on my bike. I went through the v-brake tutorial to adjust them and found that the cheap plastic piece that the spring goes into is cracked on all 4 brake arms. I can buy all new Altus replacements for less than $10, however I don't want to replace it with something that will just break again. For now I've just epoxied the plastic rings back together.
Can anyone suggest a good set of replacement v-brakes that don't use cheap plastic like the current ones do? I'd also like to the budget low on them. I only use the bike occasionally for grocery shopping etc.

  Reply
#2
I'd recommend these Shimano Deore V-brakes. They are inexpensive, sturdy and durable.
  Reply
#3
G'day
If you go to the Deore V-brakes would titlek have to replace the levers as well? I have/had Tektro Mini V-Brakes on my <a href="http://www.aushiker.com/2007/11/chases-new-mods/">Giant CRX 1</a> and replaced the front brake mech with a Deore V-Brake but kept the Tektro levers. There is a different feel for sure and I am still not 100% that it was the right move as the braking is not as definitive as before.
Regards<br />
Andrew

Aushiker.com
@Aushiker on Twitter

A broken clock is correct twice a day
  Reply
#4
I guess it depends on the levers. Technically, all v-brake levers should work with any v-brake calipers, but better quality levers can make a big difference.

  Reply
#5
Well I'm an idiot. My Shimano Altus brakes are not direct pull V brakes but they are center pull cantilever brakes. However I bought a pair of the Deore's as recommended.
I have read that it is not good to mix and match center pull cantilever levers with linear pull v-brakes. So I guess that means I should now replace my levers. On top of that my cable routing doesn't seem to work for the V brakes. I'm not sure how to fix that problem. This is going to cost me more than I had planned...

  Reply
#6
You will need new levers to go with v-brakes, as v-brake levers need to pull more cable. As for cable routing, you should be able to ignore the old cable mounts as v-brakes require full cable housing all the way from the lever to the rounded L shaped noodle at the brake.

  Reply
#7
I had the same problem with those plastic covers for the return spring...they cracked.
1- I glued them with Loctite super glue
2- Installed a retaining ring that fit snugly around the plastic ring.
3- Wrapped the retaining ring and the outter edge of the plastic ring with epoxy...shape it to look neat.
Done.

And remember to Buy American.
[attachment=2767]
[attachment=2766]
[attachment=2765]
[attachment=2764]
[attachment=2763]
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Post-Ride Nutrition
Today 02:06 AM
🚴‍♂️ Saddle Up for the Belgian Waffle Ri...
Today 02:03 AM
Pre Ride Food Intake
Today 12:14 AM
SAVA Explorer 6061?
Yesterday 03:31 PM
braking by reversing the pedals
Yesterday 01:00 PM
Zwift v Spin v Wahoo
04-01-2025 05:59 PM
Have you Ever Tried an Electric Bike?
04-01-2025 05:07 PM
Good Morning from SW Ohio
04-01-2025 07:32 AM
(So California) PV Dr to be closed to bi...
03-31-2025 09:14 PM
Tubeless vs. tubes: What are the pros an...
03-31-2025 08:28 AM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
22 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
19 posts
no avatar 3. meamoantonio
12 posts
no avatar 4. Jake1
11 posts
no avatar 5. SPINMAN
8 posts