Touring - cross post: cantilever brake opinions

which of these 2 styles do you prefer and why? I would think the radius brakes in pic 1 would be stiffer and have better power transfer with the lower cable attach point. what do you think? what would you rather use on your touring bike?

I would think the radius brakes in pic 1 would be stiffer and have better power transfer with the lower cable attach point.
You are indeed right. Quite a few people still hanker after these "old-style" cantis. Sure stopping power is one reason.

Bike companies have gone away from that design in favor of the new "low-profile" cantis. Especially on a touring bike, you may find that the Radius (obtuse angle type) hit your panniers, or even catch your foot getting on or off the bike (unloaded).

I don't know specifics about either brand, but I believe they're both respected. Which one would I use? Depends if the Radius interfered with the panniers....

-- Mark

which of these 2 styles do you prefer and why? I would think the radius brakes in pic 1 would be stiffer and have better power transfer with the lower cable attach point. what do you think? what would you rather use on your touring bike?

If you do a broader search you will see that the Radius brakes received very poor reviews from a lot of riders(especially cyclocrossers) due to poor stopping power. Maybe you can change the pads and see if there is any improvement. The Cane Creeks w/c I think is a rebadge Tektro brakes received pretty good reviews especially if you get the Tektro brand w/c is a lot cheaper and are the same brakes minus the nice finish.

I had the Tekrtos and was not impressed with them. I ended up going on ebay and getting some nos xt from like 95 that work great, only cost 20 bucks.

Nas bar has the same ones as the cane creek branded their name, 40 bucks for a pair.. I have been eyeing NOS XT triangle design on ebay as well.

Shimano BR-R550. Brand new XT level cantis with cartridge v pads.

Whatever you do, stay away from Avid Squealys.

Shimano BR-R550. Brand new XT level cantis with cartridge v pads.

Whatever you do, stay away from Avid Squealys.

yep, i had a set of avid shorty 6's ... awesome stopping power but sh*t do they squeal!
paul components touring brakes have a good name, but they are expensive

touring brakes (http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=42505&cat=30&brand=185)
http://www.speedgoat.com/images/products/BR8868-t.jpg

neo retro brakes (http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=42503&cat=30&brand=185)
http://www.speedgoat.com/images/products/BR8865-t.jpg

I have the Pauls they work great but I did switch the pads out - I am building up a new touring bike and I am using a combination of Pauls and Pedersons and Dia Comp 287 levers - hopefully great combination. FYI - Pauls for a set are almost $200 bucks, but I got mine as a gift from my co-workers.

i have the tektros...

an often overlooked aspect to braking seems to be this; if the breaks can lock up the wheel when you're riding, they couldn't possibly need to be stronger. the tektros can do this (with salmon pads, set up well).

paying the extra $100+ for the pauls because they're "more powerful" seems silly. if you're spending the extra cash to get american made product instead of taiwanese product, however, good for you. i wish i could.

indeed leaning towards tektros

The Tektros didn't reach on my bike, so I got these Alhonga deep drops, fyi. Great stopping power, not expensive either.

Alhonga deep drop dual-pivot brakes (http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b37s100p149)

My motivation was the poor stopping power of my cantilever brakes.

The Tektros didn't reach on my bike, so I got these Alhonga deep drops, fyi. Great stopping power, not expensive either.

Alhonga deep drop dual-pivot brakes (http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b37s100p149)

My motivation was the poor stopping power of my cantilever brakes.



Didn't reach? wow those are long reach,, I have a friend who may be interested... but anyway i definately do not want to move to caliper brakes, i am an advocate for cantilever brakes and their superior stopping power but I suppose new dual pivot calipers are supposed to be comperable, but the further the reach the more power loss you have with calipers.. that is what I am lead to believe anyway.

Well, I laid rubber the first time I tried them, so "power loss" doesn't seem to be an issue!