As I mentioned in my first email, they have the same bearing as the XTR v-brake, which gives it that great feel. The only down side is that the bearings can get gummed up which results in the brakes sticking, hence the need to take them apart and clean them. The grub/set screws are there to keep the bolts from backing out by being turned down against the bolt's threads. Most of them are on the underside so that you don't see them, but you can see the top of one of them on the arm that the cable comes into, to the right of the "U" in Cru, in the 2nd picture of the rear brake. Also in that picture, you can see how I drilled through the brake arm so that the M6 bolt could continue through the arm where the aircraft lock nut is. Very secure and is not coming loose. The previous owner apparently didn't know about the grub screws and tried to take the brakes apart without removing them. He did this to one of the bolts, realized he screwed up the threads and decided to sell them on e-bay. I was able to remove the grub screws, disassemble the brakes, drill through the brake arm and then use the appropriate tap to clean up the treads.
I've been riding the bike with this brake set since last July and had no issue. They really are a great brake, no flex, solid braking feel. If you not happy with them, I'll buy them back from you. Let me know if you have any other questions, John On Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 8:37:48 PM UTC-4 JohnS wrote: > Front brake... > [image: IMG_0608.jpeg] > > [image: IMG_0610.jpeg] > > On Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 8:36:19 PM UTC-4 JohnS wrote: > >> 1st the pics... >> [image: IMG_0604.jpeg] >> >> [image: IMG_0605.jpeg] >> >> On Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 7:27:48 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote: >> >>> John: Thanks, I’m interested;. If the calipers are visually >>> uncompromised and if everything works properly, I’d like to see photos. >>> >>> Will you please clarify the threading issue with the grub screw/screws? >>> >>> Thanks, Patrick >>> >>> On Sat, Mar 28, 2026 at 1:48 PM JohnS <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Hello Patrick, >>>> >>>> I have both the 538 and 539 and the only difference I can see is the >>>> reach of the 539 is slightly more than the 538, I guess 1cm? >>>> >>>> I also have a pair of the VO Grand Cruz in black that I would be >>>> willing to sell. They don't look quite right on my black Crust Malocchio, >>>> too much black, so I purchased silver ones which I need to install. The >>>> only thing with the black pair is that the previous owner tried to >>>> service >>>> them but didn't know about the grub screws, so one of the treads got a >>>> little chewed up in the process. I was able to remove the grub screws, >>>> clean the bearings the pivots ride on (same bearings as the old XTR >>>> v-brakes). I was able to clean up the treads with a tap and used a longer >>>> bolt with an aircraft lock nut to hold it all together. Works fine, no >>>> issues at all and the lock nut isn't really noticeable. I can send pics >>>> later. I'm thinking $100 plus shipping from 18104. >>>> >>>> Regards, >>>> Jojhn >>>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/29be7dc0-bf81-4d92-89ce-edd3be54648en%40googlegroups.com.
