Wisper 905SE Brakes

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by Straylight

I'll let you know when mine arrive, what are the levers attached to, v-brakes? If so, I've found a significant improvement by switching the blocks to Avids, and also regularly clean the rims to maintain their grip. I'd also check the block alignment to the rim to try and improve things.

I have disk at the front and V brakes at the rear, the rear is OK as that requires a lot less pressure. My front is still not great despite a series of improvements, the pull ratio now feels right but the short lever means I can't apply enough pressure.

[Straylight]

I don't know much about disc brakes, but is there an alternative pad you can try? I found my Vs improved significantly by switching to aviid blocks, also maybe degrease the discs? Stands to reason though, that with a shorter lever, you'll get less, well, leverage

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by Straylight

I don't know much about disc brakes, but is there an alternative pad you can try? I found my Vs improved significantly by switching to aviid blocks, also maybe degrease the discs? Stands to reason though, that with a shorter lever, you'll get less, well, leverage

There are different pads available but as I don't know what type of pads the bike came with I don't know if a different set will be any better. The extreme ones don't seem to be available, probably as they overheat easily.
The brake is almost there after several improvements, two finger brake levers are usually very specialist items and I'm suprised to see them as standard. I'll try fitting the full length levers from the old brakes when I get time, but it will need adjusting to fit.

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Mussells

I am in China today at the China Bike show, would you like me to find some longer levers for you? I would be intrerseted to see if the make a big difference.

All the best David

[Straylight]

As an experiment to improve the braking force of my v-brakes, I've installed the 'Avid Single digit 5' brakes from my Marin in combination with the standard Wisper long levers on the rear wheel. I haven't taken it out yet, but when balancing the brakes I've found a profound difference in A. the force required on the lever (a lot less), and B. the braking effect (when the wheel is spinning quite fast, the brakes stop it dead).

I will report more after a test ride, I think the only issue will be an increased risk of locking the wheel, but this will simply be a matter of self calibration In fact, I was so impressed with the difference that I immediately ordered two pairs of brakes in black (the ones from my Marin are silver - and about a decade old).

Out of interest, as an aside, the Avid levers on the Marin are somewhat shorter than the Wisper's, and also have an adjustment screw on the pivot to set the progressiveness of the braking, so maybe when my new levers arrive, they'll prove to be more compatible, looking forward to seeing the difference I should also add that I'm using Clarkes inserts in Avid RW2 cassetes, as these have proven to be more durable on my marin than the Avid standard blocks (and they're cheaper too! ).

[Straylight]

Well, my experiment is working out better than I'd hoped My rear brakes are now incredibly light, smooth, and silent. The Wheel will lock if a lot of force is applied, but seeing as I can stop from 20mph in around 20 feet with gentle preasure, I don't think it's a problem - looking forward to getting them on both wheels now!.

It'll be interesting to see how they perform in the wet, and over a long period of time, what the wear rate will be, but so far so good I'm "feeling much more confident under braking" as Martin Brundle would say

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by Wisper Bikes

Hi Mussells

I am in China today at the China Bike show, would you like me to find some longer levers for you? I would be intrerseted to see if the make a big difference.

All the best David

That would be good as I couldn't reasemble the lever correctly last time I tried. I don't want to try again until I have a lot of spare time, if you have an alternative then I can try that quickly.
I think it will help a lot.

Thanks.

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by Straylight

As an experiment to improve the braking force of my v-brakes, I've installed the 'Avid Single digit 5' brakes from my Marin in combination with the standard Wisper long levers on the rear wheel. I haven't taken it out yet, but when balancing the brakes I've found a profound difference in A. the force required on the lever (a lot less), and B. the braking effect (when the wheel is spinning quite fast, the brakes stop it dead).

I will report more after a test ride, I think the only issue will be an increased risk of locking the wheel, but this will simply be a matter of self calibration In fact, I was so impressed with the difference that I immediately ordered two pairs of brakes in black (the ones from my Marin are silver - and about a decade old).

Out of interest, as an aside, the Avid levers on the Marin are somewhat shorter than the Wisper's, and also have an adjustment screw on the pivot to set the progressiveness of the braking, so maybe when my new levers arrive, they'll prove to be more compatible, looking forward to seeing the difference I should also add that I'm using Clarkes inserts in Avid RW2 cassetes, as these have proven to be more durable on my marin than the Avid standard blocks (and they're cheaper too! ).

The standard 905 long levers (that I had) were for centre pull brakes so would have had an excellent mechanical advantage, these would be quite different to V brake long levers.
The centre pull levers don't allow the calipers enough travel and the blocks drag on the rim, the short V brake levers allow the clearance required but don't give me enough leverage to apply decent force on the brakes. I'm hoping v brake long levers will give me just the right amount of leverage but still allowing the clearance required on the disk and v brakes.
If that makes sense.

[stevew]

Just finished working on a one year old 905se with naff brakes. Owner had fitted an Avid BB7 to the front in the hope of improving things but to no avail.
Both front and rear were spongy and ineffective. IMO the brake levers were the wrong type with a 30mm dimension between the pivot and the cable anchor. Most Vee type and mechanical discs use a lever with about 40-45mm which pulls a lot more cable.
I have fitted Travel Agents up by the levers and they multiply the amount of cable pulled. The brakes are much improved now.
More testing tomorrow 'cos it's not exactly the cheapest option at 15 quid each !! But it really does make a difference.

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Steve

I hope the tests work out OK.

Don't forget we have stock of the much improved brakes that are used on the current Wispers.

All the best David