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danielb
08-18-03, 02:05 AM
One of the arms on both my front and rear cantilever brakes seem to have stopped moving. I think its probably the spring, how easy are this kind of brake to strip down and rebuild? MY brakes work atm but at a greatly reduced power...
I want to upgrade to Vee brakes eventually but I don't have the cash for them atm, so I need my current brakes working again.
DanielB
Pretty easy. Its more likely the pivot has gunged up.
If you undo the allen bolt you can see fairly easily how it all works.
Michel Gagnon
08-19-03, 08:09 AM
I use my bike all year long, so this happens about once per year.
1. Simple things first. If the brakes stick to one side, the problem might be with uneven tension in the arms of the cantilever brake. There might be a tension adjusting screw at the base of one (or both) arms of the canti. If both arms seem to move freely when you wiggle them by hand, the tension screw might need some readustment. If that doesn't work, read on.
2. Try to pull the cable itself to see if it's the brake itself or the lever (or cable) that sounds problematic.
3. If it's the cable, check the cable, especially near the brake handle.
a. Change the cable if it is frayed. As far as I know, there are 2 types of cable heads, so buy the proper one.
b. If the cable is rusted (a definite possibility if old or if you cycle through Winter), remove the cable and grease or oil with 10W30. Reinstall.
c. If the cable housing is kinked (possible after a crash, improper handling, etc., replace cable housing and cable, as a kinked cable won't glide properly.
4. If it's the brake that doesn't move, remove the cable cable so both sides of the cantilever brake are loose.
Unbolt the two bolts that attach the cantilever arms to the seatstays (rear) or forks (front). Remove, clean with appropriate solvent (Simple Green, WD-40, etc.), put a lot of grease (I like bearing grease as it stands Winter, but if you ride a lot in sand, you'd better use something cleaner like bicycle oil), reassemble.
Regards,
live311
08-19-03, 08:52 AM
You can get new cantis pretty cheap. Nashbar had Shimano Alivio's for $8 each last week. I picked up a set for my old hybrid my stepfather rides.