ehammarlund

It's been so long since I used a canti brake... but I'm building up a new redline frame (wheeee!!) for road/cross use. I know my ultegra calipers won't cut it and the avids seems to be what everyone uses. I can get shorty 4s, or shorty 6 for $20 more.

Any advice? Or shouldn't I be buying Avid anyway?

I can--for example--get tektro oryx brakes for $20 LESS than the shorty 4s.

mgwadz

I burned thru a few pairs of Avids (15c, shorty 6)- stripped little adjustment screws, springs failed from fatigue, etc.

I switched to Empellas and spooky brakes that i got online. More money, but way better in durability, way better clearance (i found Avids needed to be set very close to the rim to work- bot good for CX)

so, I think looking elsewhere than Avids is the way to go. the empella's and spooky's are great (as are Paul neo-retro or the other one, ?touring? )

but if those are to exepnsive: I've notice some shimano canti's on new bikes recently- maybe those
are are worth checking out.

marc

cs1

I bought a set of Radius for $40 at the LBS until I could score a set of original Campy canti's to fill out my all Campy bike. Well surprise surprise, the Radius really work well. I have no squeal or chatter and they work just great with an old set of Weinmann "non aero" brake levers and Campy barcons. They look "VERY" wide profile. When the pads wear out I will replace them with a set of replacable pad shoes.

Tim

islenska

i will vote for the spooky's as well. they will cost you a little more, but they are bomber, and offer lots of mud clearance for cx (or other off road) riding. plus, you can get them in about 5 colors and they look great -- if that matters to you.

as for the pauls...i believe the neo-retros were a bit wide for cx, so they made touring models a bit narrower. i'm not sure exactly how these perform...anyone have them?

mgwadz

the wide neo-retros, like the spookies and empella's are updates on the classic old-school Mafac brakes.
paul's add adjustability compared to the empella's and spookies, but I never felt the need for pad adjustment.

the story on the Paul neo-retros is that some riders (small bike, bike feet) might hit their heels on the rear brake. for that reason some people run neo-retro front and touring canti's rear.

btw- I have 2 sets of the Paul bar-top CX levers and really like them

marc