Ah lots of good advice, thanks
good to know that the tektro levers make mix and match possible
also a good point that v-brake on the rear will be not the best for control, cable issues aside
will have to look at that wide yoke carrier, it if buys some more space cantilevers may become more workable
(no camera)
It's a 14" Surly Troll, was hopeing to get as large as 2.5"tires in there, but will have to prioritize this brake issue first
another annoying point; if you look at online photos; is that troll's have there seatpost clamp quite high above the seatstays. Thus a cantilever straddle wire will be angled far out of the brake arm's operating plane.
I recall that with many older mtbs, rather than a seatclamp hanger; they integrate a little braze-on S-tube to the side of the seattube so a top tube cable can snake around it.
Such a setup would be ideal for both the wire angle and clearance probs.
any idea if a clamp-on device exists?