Help upgrading kids bike brakes

[jdwoodbury]

My daughter has just got a Trek Wahoo (24" wheel), which for the price I am surprised by how poor the quality of the V-brakes are. The quick release for the noodle bent easily when she cam off for the 1st time. Does anyone have recommendation for some better quality brakes where the quick release is not made of monkey metal? They will need to clear a mudguard.

https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/kids-bike...

[colin_p]

V-Brakes are generally very good and more than powerful enough for a childs bike.

Any brake system is going to suffer is they get clonked.

I'd repair the damage and keep them as they are.

[Justin S]

Have a look here for options. Shimano are usually the better option. There are other though. To damage the clip that holds the 'noodle' was unfortunate and not sure these will be any stiffer. Better option is to replace the levers too , as usually on a kids bike they are plastic and flex pretty badly. Depends on how much power she needs, but doubt if thats the issue , but plastic levers are just plain rubbish.

[jdwoodbury]

Its not the stopping power that's the issue as such, its just the poor quality metal used on the brake itself.

[jdwoodbury]

Justin S said:

Have a look here for options. Shimano are usually the better option. There are other though. To damage the clip that holds the 'noodle' was unfortunate and not sure these will be any stiffer. Better option is to replace the levers too , as usually on a kids bike they are plastic and flex pretty badly. Depends on how much power she needs, but doubt if thats the issue , but plastic levers are just plain rubbish.

Sorry Justin, don't think your URL was active in your post.

[Jediworrier]

Having a major clear out atm and found this is in pile of bits to get rid of. Any good to you?





Thinking about it that lever didn't go with those brakes.

Edited by Jediworrier on Wednesday 10th June 19:13

[jdwoodbury]

Thanks for the offer...I am going to try and bend it back straight with some needle nose pliers when I get a min, if it breaks I may need to take you up on the offer. Not sure how long the arms need to be so will measure those also when I get the bike out.

[Jediworrier]

No worries, only going to give them to a chap that does boot fairs so have no problem popping them in post.

[Justin S]

jdwoodbury said:

Sorry Justin, don't think your URL was active in your post.

Ooops.........

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brakes-v-brake/

[shalmaneser]

It's hard to be sure but I would have thought a 24" bike should have normal sized brakes on it. See if you can measure the length of the arm and compare that to a full size bike v-brake, which should be in the same ball park.

Assuming that they are normal size brakes then something like the below:

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-alivio...

Shimano Alivio brakes will be a significant upgrade and excellent value. Fitting is easy too, although you should install a new cable to make things easier.