Cyclocross - Headset all set (thanks): now help me choose my brakes!

Goals: Building a "road cyclocross" bike. No racing. Primarily for road riding and daily commuting, but I've got a 3/4 mile dirt driveway, and I'll occasionally ride on dirt roads. I want a brake that'll take a wider tire and not get completely clogged if I go through mud (eg cantis). I do not plan to race cross; I live on an island and there's no cross nearby. Bonus points if it reduces laughter when I show up at a group road ride :) as I sure can't afford another road bike.

Weight is not a huge concern. Maybe it will be after I lose 20 pounds. Clearance for mud between one brand and another is also not a primary concern. These will be loads better than normal ultegra calipers, and if it's that bad weather I probably won't be able to ride to my law office anyway and not get fired :D

Mostly I want a canti that will feel sort of like a road brake: good stopping power, and not tons of pull required. I will be using road brifters.

My choices:
avid 4s, about $50.
Cane Creek scx5, about $50.
empella froglegs. $100
Paul neoretro, $88
Paul touring, $88
Spooky aluminums, $100

This is damn confusing for me. If I were building a road only bike I'd at least have a clue; if I were bulding a MB I'd have a clue--cross stuff and I'm lost. Help!

Goals: Building a "road cyclocross" bike. No racing. Primarily for road riding and daily commuting, but I've got a 3/4 mile dirt driveway, and I'll occasionally ride on dirt roads. I want a brake that'll take a wider tire and not get completely clogged if I go through mud (eg cantis). I do not plan to race cross; I live on an island and there's no cross nearby. Bonus points if it reduces laughter when I show up at a group road ride :) as I sure can't afford another road bike.

Weight is not a huge concern. Maybe it will be after I lose 20 pounds. Clearance for mud between one brand and another is also not a primary concern. These will be loads better than normal ultegra calipers, and if it's that bad weather I probably won't be able to ride to my law office anyway and not get fired :D

Mostly I want a canti that will feel sort of like a road brake: good stopping power, and not tons of pull required. I will be using road brifters.

My choices:
avid 4s, about $50.
Cane Creek scx5, about $50.
empella froglegs. $100
Paul neoretro, $88
Paul touring, $88
Spooky aluminums, $100

This is damn confusing for me. If I were building a road only bike I'd at least have a clue; if I were bulding a MB I'd have a clue--cross stuff and I'm lost. Help!

I just couldn't find any canti's at any of my LBS's here in the Clev OH area. Finally, I scored a set of Radius for $40. I was sorta of embarassed to use such low tech brakes. When they were finally set up and running, they worked just great. Now, I'm thinking of just leaving them on. I've since heard that they are a budget favorite for beginning cross bike riders.

Tim

Goals: Building a "road cyclocross" bike. No racing. Primarily for road riding and daily commuting, but I've got a 3/4 mile dirt driveway, and I'll occasionally ride on dirt roads. I want a brake that'll take a wider tire and not get completely clogged if I go through mud (eg cantis). I do not plan to race cross; I live on an island and there's no cross nearby. Bonus points if it reduces laughter when I show up at a group road ride :) as I sure can't afford another road bike.

Weight is not a huge concern. Maybe it will be after I lose 20 pounds. Clearance for mud between one brand and another is also not a primary concern. These will be loads better than normal ultegra calipers, and if it's that bad weather I probably won't be able to ride to my law office anyway and not get fired :D

Mostly I want a canti that will feel sort of like a road brake: good stopping power, and not tons of pull required. I will be using road brifters.

My choices:
avid 4s, about $50.
Cane Creek scx5, about $50.
empella froglegs. $100
Paul neoretro, $88
Paul touring, $88
Spooky aluminums, $100

This is damn confusing for me. If I were building a road only bike I'd at least have a clue; if I were bulding a MB I'd have a clue--cross stuff and I'm lost. Help!

I have a Kona Jake the Snake. Originally the Kona had Avid 4s that I did not like at all, they made a lot of noice and made the front fork shudder when braking no matter how I adjusted them. I have now changed the brakes to a pair of Spooky alu cantis, once you get the right set-up for them they are great!

I would say go for the Spooky, Empella or Paul cantis, they all have a good reputation.

...I would say go for the Spooky, Empella or Paul cantis, they all have a good reputation.

Well, that's the magic question.... can anyone here differentiate between the three?

Well, that's the magic question.... can anyone here differentiate between the three?
Empella's and Spooky's don't have toe-in adjustment but the Paul's do.

Empella's and Spooky's don't have toe-in adjustment but the Paul's do.

And are about twice the price, but I like'em. They have served me well

Holy smokes! I was looking at the Paul prices and I didn't realize taht was for EACH BRAKE!

Sheesh. OK, call me crazy: but brakes are damn simple. You can CAD them without tons of difficulty. It's not like they're rear derailleurs or anything; nor do they reaquire the exactness of BBs and headsets. And canti brakes are even simpler!

How on earth do they get off charging $180 for a pair of Pauls? They're not even Ti or carbon!

OK, whiny complaining rant over. Whew.

Anyway: Pauls are out. empellas or spookys are where it's at for now :D I've had a few votes for spookys..... any counters?