Bicycle Mechanics - moustache bars, cantilever brakes, aero levers

I just finished building a commuter/touring bike for myself, its an early 90's specialized hardrock. The previous owner installed v-brakes, it stopped pretty well. But I rebuilt the whole bike around a set of moustache bars with shimano aero levers, after reading that aero levers probably wouldn't work well with the v-brakes I replaced the brakes with nashbar cantilevers. I've adjusted them twice, they seem to work well on a stand but on the road they have no stopping power, the lever feels good but they just won't stop the bike. I followed Sheldon brown's adjustment procedure with no luck. I thought about getting a set of better pads, but before I spend more money I thought I'd try and get a second opinion. Thanks-Brian

I'd try a set of KoolStop pads. Another option would be to go back to the V-brakes with Travel agents, but the canti's should have ample stopping power and new brake pads are cheaper.

Thanks i think I'll give the pads a shot.



I'd try a set of KoolStop pads. Another option would be to go back to the V-brakes with Travel agents, but the canti's should have ample stopping power and new brake pads are cheaper.

Sheldon Brown's article on canti set up is the best. He doesn't mention brake levers though. Try this link:http://www.stanford.edu/~dru/moustache.html Aero levers sound like your problem. Non aero levers are about as cheap as good pads on ebay. Good luck

Tim

I use aeros on my X0-3 with some old Dia-Compe XCE cantis and Kool Stop pads. Drags me down to a dead stop pretty quick.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2077/2071936203_e77f2cd0d0.jpg?v=0

I run those Nashbar cantis on my LHT. To be as cheap as they were, they are the best pair of cantilevers I've ever used. If you decide to go back to V-brakes, the Travel Agents work well, too.