Front cantilever brake with cross lever
04-26-08, 09:56 AM
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Front cantilever brake with cross lever
So I'm getting to the end of setting up my IRO Rob Roy group buy frame when I suddenly hit disaster at the front brake setup with my Tektro RL720 Cross brake lever and Shimano BR-550 cantilever brake.
The instructions from the brake tell me to leave ~20mm of cable before the housing above the link unit, that's ok. Since I'm using the cross lever alone, I have that round nub at the end of the cable going into the back of the cross lever, and whenever I pull the lever it just pushes the cable housing (like it should) but sends some cable back through the other side of the lever (like it shouldn't).
I can see how using a cross lever alone would work with a caliper brake since the housing isn't moving around but I can't mount a (recessed mounting, one of which I bought) caliper brake on my rob roy frame. Is this just one of those combinations that don't work?
[Edit: Would a BMX lever solve all my problems?]
The instructions from the brake tell me to leave ~20mm of cable before the housing above the link unit, that's ok. Since I'm using the cross lever alone, I have that round nub at the end of the cable going into the back of the cross lever, and whenever I pull the lever it just pushes the cable housing (like it should) but sends some cable back through the other side of the lever (like it shouldn't).
I can see how using a cross lever alone would work with a caliper brake since the housing isn't moving around but I can't mount a (recessed mounting, one of which I bought) caliper brake on my rob roy frame. Is this just one of those combinations that don't work?
[Edit: Would a BMX lever solve all my problems?]
Last edited by scarboy; 04-26-08 at 10:27 AM.
04-26-08, 12:46 PM
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Ah, I'm just going to drill the back of the fork crown to fit the recessed nut like Sheldon Brown describes here https://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ra-e.html and use my caliper. Anyone want to buy a Shimano BR-550 Cantilever brake?
04-26-08, 02:21 PM
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Ask in the mechanics forum first.
I'm trying to visualize how this would work, but I can't quite do it.
Do you have the cable hanger thing installed on your headset?
I'm trying to visualize how this would work, but I can't quite do it.
Do you have the cable hanger thing installed on your headset?
04-26-08, 06:08 PM
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04-26-08, 06:25 PM
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04-26-08, 06:28 PM
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That brake is traditional cantilever (not linear pull), which has the same mechanical advantage as caliper brakes. Regardless, a new lever won't fix anything if the problem is the missing cable guide hanger.
04-26-08, 06:41 PM
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04-26-08, 08:43 PM
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Yup, it was missing and I can see how that would have solved a lot of problems.
I ended up drilling the back of the fork crown with an 8.5mm bit and installed the Shimano caliper brake I had. Works great and my cable housing even fit perfectly!
I ended up drilling the back of the fork crown with an 8.5mm bit and installed the Shimano caliper brake I had. Works great and my cable housing even fit perfectly!
