Best V-Brake Bike Brakes of 2025

"I’ve never replaced brakes before, but I’m fairly mechanically inclined. I bought a secondhand mountain bike and decided to replace parts as needed, starting with the brakes, which were in poor shape. After considering buying individual components, I chose this kit instead, as it was more economical. The installation took about 20 minutes, and the adjustment another 10 minutes, with no issues. They work much better than what was there before!"

"For the price, this is truly a bargain! I could have spent four times more on a low-level Shimano brake set, but this set is perfect for my casual rides in town. It includes everything needed for a complete replacement, though I did have to trim the rear housing. I found one set of calipers was incorrectly mounted, but fixing it was simple. Overall, I highly recommend this set!"

"I installed these brakes on my old Trek 700, and they fit like a glove. They stop the bike efficiently and adjusting them was a breeze. This is a great and inexpensive way to upgrade to a center pull assembly, and I’m very pleased with my purchase."

"I found these brakes to be perfectly functional. The installation was straightforward, and I truly appreciate the improved performance. Just a tip: ensure you adjust them slightly for the best fit and use the spring adjuster screws if needed."

"Having upgraded to these Shimano Alivio BR-T4000 brakes, I can say the quality is impressive. Although I had a spring break on a previous set, I decided to get a new one. It's like replacing a worn-out pair of shoes. I always keep a spare on hand just in case. Shimano always delivers."

"I installed these on my wife's bike to replace the poor-quality brakes she had. The difference in performance is remarkable! The installation was easy, and I suggest replacing the cables simultaneously. Now, we have solid braking without any noise or rubbing. Highly recommend these!"

“I upgraded my bike's brakes to the Shimano BR-T4000 V-Brakes, and they've been absolutely perfect. The difference in stopping power is incredible—the bike now stops exactly like it should. These brakes are easy to install and adjust, even for someone without much experience. One of the best parts is the lack of squeal. The stopping performance is smooth, consistent, and reliable, making them a huge improvement. If you're looking for an affordable and effective upgrade, these V-brakes are a fantastic choice. Highly recommended! Five stars!”

“I bought this brake as an upgrade to the rear brake on my hybrid bike. The installation was easy, and it adjusted and centered quickly. The brake looks good on my bike and does its job well.”

“I installed these brakes as a direct replacement for my old, worn-out ones on an MTB I'm restoring. The whole process took less than 15 minutes. They installed easily and made a huge difference in performance!”

"After figuring out the installation, it worked fine for me."

"I found it easy to install, and the brake shoes seem to hold up well. I would definitely recommend this to a friend!"

"With over 60 years of bike riding experience, I've rarely encountered such poor quality components. Stay away from this brake set unless you're willing to put in significant effort to make them work."

“I found the installation to be very easy, as I'm generally handy. While I didn't give the highest score for durability, I don't see anything wrong so far. I installed these on a kid's MTB that had seen a lot of use, and I'm glad I chose this product.”

“This set of ‘V’ brake levers and hand brakes is complete and functional, but I was disappointed with the quality. Adjusting the brake pad distance was a bit of a hassle due to the poor quality of the rubber brake pad nuts and adjustment washers.”

“I had no issues with these brakes; they work just fine. For the price point, I think they are a great deal!”

"I got this set to replace some old seized Tektro brakes on my wife's bike. I was skeptical due to the price, but was pleasantly surprised. Easy to install and the tension adjustments worked great. The brakes are strong and silent after cleaning. Overall, a really nice set for the price!"

"I had trouble with the brakes on my entry-level Mongoose hybrid. After trying various adjustments, I decided to order these. They worked flawlessly from the start and the arms are stronger than the originals. For a bike under $200, these are great value for money!"

"I was a bit worried about the quality at this price, but I was wrong! The brakes came with all necessary parts, were easy to install, and worked exactly as I needed. I’m very pleased with the purchase!"

“I found the installation to be very straightforward, and it simply works! It's definitely worth the price.”

“After installing the front brakes, I encountered a misthreaded part that caused one of the arms to crack. It's unfortunate because the brakes worked well otherwise.”

“I had to return the brakes because I bought the wrong type, but the seller accepted the return without any hassle.”

“I found these brakes to be much more solid than the OEM ones I had. Installation was straightforward, and everything I needed was included. Now my son is back on the trails!”

“I replaced the old brakes on my Schwinn with this kit. It had everything I needed at a decent price, and they work better than the originals. Installation was easy too.”

“These brakes are easy to install and provide amazing stopping power. After upgrading from my old brakes, I’ve put them on three different bikes now, and I couldn’t be happier.”

"My item arrived on time and was easy to install. It works perfectly, and I would definitely buy again."

"I have an older trek bike, and after a few painful rides, I realized my rear brake spring wasn't functioning correctly. I decided to buy a new brake, and after installation, it has been really good. Relatively straightforward installation; just take your time and observe everything before disassembly. I marked the cable with a sharpie for reference. Very good price and quality; I would recommend it."

"I replaced my non-thread cantilever smooth post brakes with these Shimano BR T4000. The installation was easy and the adjustments were a breeze. They stop me quickly, and I can lock up my rear tire. I am very satisfied with my purchase."

"I found these at a great price and was really impressed with the quality. They installed on my Haro BMX bike without any hassle, and the bendable noodle was a nice bonus. I was so frustrated with my previous brakes that I was ready to buy a new bike, but now I'm really happy with my purchase!"

"I initially bought these to replace a broken brake lever on my bike, but I found the levers were only 5.25 inches long, which was too short for my large hands. I could only get two fingers on them. The overall quality seemed good, but the set didn’t include replacement sheaths for the cables, so I had to reuse my old ones."

"I decided to buy this set because my bike needed new brakes and wires. The package included everything, and while the brakes seem decent, I was disappointed with the narrow opening of the brake handles. They simply weren't usable on most bikes, so I had to revert to my old brake handle and ended up using just one brake."