I had a bike start showing a crack around a non reinforced h20 boss. I think it was caused by laying the bike down in the car and getting a side load from the cage. The builder added a reinforcement and it's lasted for many years. Because of that instance I have used reinforcements on all the h20 bosses I've done. I like the way they look too. As far as the canti bosses go, why not try them on the cross bike if you don't think you will use it on the road in traffic? Go for it and use the bike in conditions where a failure will be embarassing but not fatal.