Cyclocross - Brakes?

I did manage to secure myself a frame that I like (ended up paying way more, but I do like the frame). What brakes should I use? I have seen avid shortys at chucksbikes for $30, levers included (which I do not need), is there anything better? What do you have on your bike?

PS. no, I do not want disc brakes.

by the sound of it you dont want to spend much and shortys are good but i wouldnt go for them. I have Pauls on my bike but the other ones i was going to consider and these $60 ones from origin8. i dont remember what they are called but this style has all sorts of leverage and mudd clearance but ive heard of people complaining about heel clearance later in the ride when you get tired and sloppy. any hoo they look like this
http://images.velonews.com/images/report/9054.13065.t.jpg

personally, i would stay away from brakes that style and get something that has some adjustability....but that is just my opinion.

Btw, does anything prevent me from using linear pull brakes like these: http://xoomgear.com/mountainbike/brakes/brakes/0/Avid_SingleDigitTI/684/? Are they compartible with regular road shifter-levers?

no the bosses are in the right place but if you are ever going to compete they wont let you, but who really cares. normal levers wont work because they dont have enough pull but dia-compe make linear pull specific levers. and V brakes are more powerful. the other route for linear pulls is to get tektro "mini-v"s and for those im pretty sure you can use regular road levers

I think that Tektro is making V-brake-specific drop levers now, but I couldn't give you the model number. Since it's Tektro, it'll probably work better, cost less and be more comfortable than the Dia-Compe version.

There's no rule against V-brakes and the rule against discs only applies to UCI races. Tektro does indeed make a lever for them and the Travel Agent does a good job for me. A lot of people are starting to report success running mini Vs with road levers. I'd like to try them, it'd be nice to get the TA off there.

http://images.velonews.com/images/report/9054.13065.t.jpg

unless you are really competent at adjusting "non-adjustable" catilevers, I wouldn't get the above style of brakes. Yeah they rock in mud clearance but they will screech and squeal like crazy. And theres nothing you can do about it but take what it give you. But they look cool and function just as well. Just noisy.

How about these? They're adjustable and powerful.

http://www.rodbikes.com/articles/graphics/bigsqueeze1.gif (javascript:windowHandle = window.open('http://www.rodbikes.com/articles/graphics/bigsqueeze3.gif','popup','scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=432,height=598');windowHandle.focus())

what the hell is this ?
very interessting !
link ?
weight ?
price?

If you do not like something like the Spooky,pauls or4ZA's. The cane creeks might afford you the adjustably you looking for without the problems that the Avids present and the tweaky--ness of the v-brakes with travel agents.

I did manage to secure myself a frame that I like (ended up paying way more, but I do like the frame). What brakes should I use? I have seen avid shortys at chucksbikes for $30, levers included (which I do not need), is there anything better? What do you have on your bike?

PS. no, I do not want disc brakes.
i looked at Chucksbikes and did not see and Avid Shorty's..... only some older Avid 2 v-brakes with levers.

I want to throw my hat in the ring for the Tektro Oryx. They're very finely adjustable and dirt cheap. I got my pair for $30, which is hard to beat.

These TRP's have been working fine for me. Plenty of clearance, Koolstop pads w/ adjustability using the cups. I use a shim to set them up.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c8/Arctic1/DSCN3332.jpg

I've noticed a slight scratching noise sometimes when riding in snow (which I believe is debris in the snow that is rubbing the rims). Fall trail riding in dry dirt worked well also. These tires aren't good for mud.

what the hell is this ?
very interessting !
link ?
weight ?
price?

Go to http://www.rodcycle.com/. On the left side under "Other stuff we make", click on "Tandem Brakes". These are not just for tandems, they also put them on their cyclocross and touring bikes.

I want to throw my hat in the ring for the Tektro Oryx. They're very finely adjustable and dirt cheap. I got my pair for $30, which is hard to beat.

They don't squeal as much as the avids but they also seem less powerful to me, especially with the stock pads.

Though for all applications but screaming down singletrack they are probably just fine. I may put a pair on my current build because, as you said, the price is right.

They don't squeal as much as the avids but they also seem less powerful to me, especially with the stock pads.

Oh, no doubt, the stock pads are absolute garbage, but I've found that to be true on basically every sub-$50 cantilever I've come across. If someone shipped one with Koolstops standard, I'd say that was the bargain, but since you're going to have to replace the pad anyway, I favor the Oryx.

Oh, no doubt, the stock pads are absolute garbage, but I've found that to be true on basically every sub-$50 cantilever I've come across. If someone shipped one with Koolstops standard, I'd say that was the bargain, but since you're going to have to replace the pad anyway, I favor the Oryx.
I think the cane creeks come a with a pretty good set of pads. I don't remember having to change them out.

Of course I ride 4ZA's on my 3 bikes now..... so who am I fulling. If I hd really liked any of the short arm canti brakes.... I probably would have kept them.

I have been using the Tektro Oryx on my bike. They are very easy to adjust and are quite powerful for their price tag.

As far as value goes, I don't think you can beat the Oryx.

I just bought a Tektro CR-720 brake that I plan to run on the front of my bike. I'll be sure to post photos and my thoughts when it's ready!

Edit: The Origin 8's which had a similar design got 86'ed

I ran a front CR720 in a race and now on my commutes. I have to say, I'm very pleased with my choice, even with the stock pads.

No more squealing and shuddering front brake, mud clearance when needed, enough power when needed, very adjustable, looks good to me--what else could I want? [edit]: oh yeah, affordable.

I think the cane creeks come a with a pretty good set of pads. I don't remember having to change them out.

Of course I ride 4ZA's on my 3 bikes now..... so who am I fulling. If I hd really liked any of the short arm canti brakes.... I probably would have kept them.

Cane Creeks come with Kool Stop black pads. Definitely a good spec. I don't ride 'cross, but I'm very pleased with the Cane Creeks on my touring bike, except for the squealing when wet.

I think that Tektro is making V-brake-specific drop levers now, but I couldn't give you the model number. Since it's Tektro, it'll probably work better, cost less and be more comfortable than the Dia-Compe version.

Tektro RL520 is the V-Brake specific drop lever. You'll have to figger shifters out, though. If you wanna keep your shifters you'll have to use the Travel Agent or some other product like the V-Adapter.

I also recommend the Oryx. They're cheap and they work better than Avid Cantis off the shelf. They're stiffer and have no squeal and more power. I've said it in other threads: I will use them on every build I do from now on. They're simply amazing.

The pads that come with them aren't great, but you can eek out at least a few hundred if not thousand miles before putting some kool stops on and upping your power.

This seems like a good place to ask this...

I'm going to be building up a group buy Rob Roy, mostly by swapping the parts from a Univega road conversion that has an old Dia Compe caliper on it. I was thinking about running the Oryx or maybe Shorty 4s on the Rob Roy.

These are the levers I have: http://tinyurl.com/33ce6t (Nashbar Aero Levers)

Will these work with canti's/V's? If not, any recommendations for brake levers for a single speed cross bike?

Standard aero levers will work with cantis. It's with V's that you run into problems.

If you want V's get the Tektro RL520. I've heard rumors of a Dia-Compe lever that works adequately well, but the Tektro's are made for it.