Mountain Biking - Unknown Cantilever Brakes...

I just purchased 2 sets of these for my winter bike project. However, I cannot find out a thing about them and I've searched the net till I can't search no more!!! :)

So.... has anybody ever heard of the Vanguard Lizard Cantilever brakes? I've allready bought them (mostly because they were so unique) so no turning back now, but I'm really curious if anyone has some 411 on these?

Here is the link to them... there is also a few left if interested...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vanguard-LIZARD-Cantilever-ATB-MTB-bike-brake-set-NEW_W0QQitemZ250336636467QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item250336636467&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

I just purchased 2 sets of these for my winter bike project. However, I cannot find out a thing about them and I've searched the net till I can't search no more!!! :)

So.... has anybody ever heard of the Vanguard Lizard Cantilever brakes? I've allready bought them (mostly because they were so unique) so no turning back now, but I'm really curious if anyone has some 411 on these?

Here is the link to them... there is also a few left if interested...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vanguard-LIZARD-Cantilever-ATB-MTB-bike-brake-set-NEW_W0QQitemZ250336636467QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item250336636467&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

Well, if unique is what you "want" then you should be happy. I think you got skrood, dood. $20 for canti's? Make sure you buy canti style levers instead of modern V(linear pull) levers. I believe the Speed Dial lever may work too b/c you can change the fulcrum point. I used V-brake levers with my canti's on my franken-Raleigh and had no power at all. I had to 3 or 4-finger the things.

Copy of some older canti designs. I think Onza and Marinovativ came up with that sort of design first, then were copied by many generic and house brands.

edited because: doh! onza, not avid.

RST levers have a 2-position changeable fulcrum from cantilever to vee.

Well, if unique is what you "want" then you should be happy. I think you got skrood, dood. $20 for canti's? Make sure you buy canti style levers instead of modern V(linear pull) levers. I believe the Speed Dial lever may work too b/c you can change the fulcrum point. I used V-brake levers with my canti's on my franken-Raleigh and had no power at all. I had to 3 or 4-finger the things.

$2o bucks for canti's really isn't bad! Have you priced them lately? They are really making a comeback since cyclocross had taken off. Anyhow, I'm putting them on an early 90's Haro mountain bike that I just had powdercoated and am building up as a 7 speed :thumb: I'm using shimano deore pretty much throughout (as that was salvageable from the original) and just buying new brakes, cables, cassette and crankset for the rebuild. I may upgrade later, but this is my snowbike so I don't want to go fancy with it.

If these brakes suck I will just put them back on ebay and look at gatting the new Avid shorty 4... (that currently run $35 for a set!!):rolleyes:

They remind me of the Onza HO brakes (http://www.blackbirdsf.org/brake_obscura/images/mtb/onza.jpg)- I bought a set off Ebay about 3 years ago for my cross bike - they said they were NOS but I think they were a copy - used them for about a year, when I was doing some maintenance I noticed both brakes had cracks where the pad is attached to the brake arms - keep an eye on then and don't over tighten.

They remind me of the Onza HO brakes (http://www.blackbirdsf.org/brake_obscura/images/mtb/onza.jpg)- I bought a set off Ebay about 3 years ago for my cross bike - they said they were NOS but I think they were a copy - used them for about a year, when I was doing some maintenance I noticed both brakes had cracks where the pad is attached to the brake arms - keep an eye on then and don't over tighten.

Were those Ebay Onza H.O.'s from Mexico city?

Were those Ebay Onza H.O.'s from Mexico city?

Why, yes they were - did you purchase the ones?

Why, yes they were - did you purchase the ones?

No, just an old fan of anything Onza. Just love the old logo they had. Decent stuff in their day. I had their clipless pedals, bar ends, and Porcupine tires. I also have a mondo stack of original Onza decals and a promo 'Onza' toothbrush, picked those up on Ebay from First Flight Bikes (vintage museum and NOS sales).

Yeah, I just happened upon those Onza HO brakes, said NOS, location Mexico City. WTF? Seems like they had a bunch of 'em. You say you think they were counterfeit? Maybe they were just poorly made/sourced originals? I dunno. Seemed like cool brakes at the time 'cause you could kinda independently set the toe-in and height. First Flight is selling two sets for $75:

http://www.firstflightbikes.com/Lbrake91.JPG

http://www.bikebox.com.au/images/onza%20logo%203.jpg

http://www.davescycles.co.uk/onza_logo.jpg

^^ Wow, it's like looking at a flathead Ford with a roller cam . . . .

I had a black pair on my 06 Tricross - got many comments "wow, what brakes are those" - it just sucked when I was 30 miles from the house when the rear brake failed, and I saw the same cracks in the front later.