PhotonDon

Okay Im an older biker but I've never dealt with cantilever brakes. I lucked upon an excellent example of a 1987 Trek 520 last weekend that strangely did not include the front brake set. The distance between post centers measure about 60mm. Modern standards seem to be about 80mm between post centers. So I guess I have three questions;
-Are there any current production cantis that will fit my bike?
-Is there anything I can do to make a new brake fit my old bike?
-Assuming a NO answer to the other questions, what vintage brake set should I be looking for? For reference, the back brake are Shimano BR-M60. I will be doing no loaded touring, at most a front low rack and rando bag.

Thanks lots for any guidance. I want to ride this thing!

Soody

About Bicycle Brakes with Brazed-on Fittings

There's your info dump. Make a cup of tea i suggest.

I think you can basically use any cantis, or v brakes on your frame, the concern is matching the levers you want to use to the type of pull required by the caliper.

Cantis are great but take very fine adjustment, which is frustrating (especially with my older ones, were the pads move when you tighten them). V- brakes generate a lot of snobbery, but if you don't want to spend a day finessing brake calipers, then slap a set on & forget them.

Kool Stop Salmons improved things for me a lot, and having true wheels is a must because the pads have to run closer than caliper brakes to work well.

also

https://www.bikeforums.net/recreation...brake-faq.html

clasher

Shimano Altus Cantis would probably work on vintage posts, I was gonna use them for my miyata 1000 but I scored a NOS set of deore LX cantilevers that work like a charm. The altus brakes look very similar to the older deore ones so that's why I guessed they would work.