A Mountain Biker's Opinion of Shimano's Side-Pull Brakes
(Author's note: (written January 2019) I haven't reread this in a while, but since it was written, of course, disk brakes are the only thing to ride on. I'm going to leave it up anyway, for "historic" purposes, for now. -- ace)
Side-Pull Brakes are Shimano's newest braking system. Many people compare them to hydraulic systems, but I find that I like the feel of them better. Hydraulic systems have tended to feel mushy to me. Side-Pull brakes are crisp and reliable, and sensitive to variable input. (They were originally known as "V-brakes" but this name was dropped in favor of the more descriptive term "side-pull brakes".)
Side-pull brakes are so good at stopping you, I think for beginners they can actually be considered dangerous--for the first few months. NOT like, lawsuit territory (I hate those things), but like, someone should caution you that for the first 100 miles or so, pay attention! The front thumbscrews should have an even lighter setting! I'm not a beginner, but these things are still kinda scary!
And I don't like the way the front cable comes out way off to the side--what if a tree branch or vine catches it? I'll tell you what can happen then: You might find yourself braking really hard with the front wheel only, for no apparent reason. This is a lot worse than that same branch hitting your handlebar or (ouch) your hand.
But make no mistake about it: Side-pull brakes are the greatest thing since acceleration was invented! The defects mentioned here must be regarded in the overall viewpoint. My first 40 miles or so on side-pull brakes consisted of some of the wickedist downhills here in San Diego and near Fresno. The hard test results are clear: Side-pull brakes are a nearly perfect braking system. And my wife's got them on her new bike and feels the same way.
They're even great on steep uphills: When the hill finally beats you and you need to lock up your brakes, poof! They are LOCKED! And with so little effort! I love my Shimano side-pull brakes!
...I have had the side-pull brakes for about six weeks now, (and probably over 100 off-road miles) and have set them to have the rear brake thumbscrew turned all the way to maximize leverage, and the front brake thumbscrew on the original "novice" setting because I think you get more control--at the cost of needing more finger force--with that setting. It's less mushy, and since you normally modulate the front and hold a steadier force with the rear brake, this seems to be the appropriate setting. I have also seen some other side-pull brake riders with this setting. Try it yourself!
A world of caution in a word of caution: I think everyone who switches to side-pull brakes should pretty much expect to go over the handlebars at least once. I've done it--on purpose. I had gone too fast, (which in this case was probably 15 mph) on a fairly steep downhill. I hadn't looked far enough ahead (a common cause of accidents).
I had to hop the front wheel over a small ditch that ran nearly perpendicular to my path, but when I got to the other side, I realized I didn't have time to avoid an even bigger ditch right in front of me that ran parallel to my direction! I was headed straight for a nasty crash into a rocky ditch about a foot deep... So instead, I purposely slammed on the front side-pull brake, and flipped over the handlebars.
I landed next to the ditch, and the only really scary part was that one foot got caught in the clip's strap and got a little twisted. (I haven't graduated to clipless, in part because one of my riding buddies, who has, still fails to clip out at least once a ride.)
The shale hurt, and cut up my thigh a bit, but the real hassle was that a week later the ocean waves had 8 foot faces and so I went swimming, and the wounds got infected. The good news is, you don't have to stop riding while you wait for that to cure, you just have to stop swimming.
Side-pull brakes are a wonderful way to stop, and great for emergency over-the-handlebar maneuvers..
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