de-powering V brakes

[mrcharly-YHT]

I set up an old hybrid for one of the kids on the weekend. Everything works, but she finds the front brake too grabby.

It's a deore V, to flat-bar levers.

Anyone have any clever tricks for de-powering a v brake?

[Chris N]

Fit BBB or Clark's brake blocks.

You can get some kind of power modulation doohickey - it's fitted to some Shimano V brakes.

[border-rider]

You can get some kind of power modulation doohickey - it's fitted to some Shimano V brakes.

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/104276.html

Some levers have the option to adjust the pull as well.  Not vanilla Deore, maybe, but I have some Tektro ones somewhere that do.

[mrcharly-YHT]

Thanks for that, I've ordered a couple of the power modulators. Plus some cables etc

[Biggsy]

The grabbiness could be just temporary if the brake blocks or rims are new or newly cleaned.  Also a cyclist of any age needs a while to get used to a new bike and new brakes.  So I would not rush to de-power the brakes.  The rider might really appreciate the powerful brakes once they learn how to use them.  They can be a lot of fun.

[andygates]

+1 to training her to brake softly.  Once competent, she's going to find more situations where she wants more braking power (the wet, downhill, startled by a van, etc) than when she wants less.

[mrcharly-YHT]

I've fitted the power modulators, and they are brilliant.

The brakes aren't exactly de-powered - pull hard and they still lock up the wheels. Instead, the power comes on more gradually, more like trad cantis.

Can't recommend them too highly.