Originally Posted by
Andrew R Stewart
The fit WRT the rim width, the frame bosses width and height placement, the brake arm configuration and the pad thickness/placement options are way too varied to say without actually trying what set up will work best.
I've swapped cantilevers to linear brakes on many bikes and never had an issue with the brakes fitting nor functioning properly...with the one proviso mentioned by melloveloyellow. The brake levers have to be compatible with linear brakes or you have to use a "travel agent".
Originally Posted by
Andrew R Stewart
But I take issue with the OP's premise that cantis aren't powerful. I run them on all my bikes that have brake bosses including the tandem. A well set up set of cantis can work very well. But then I'm picky with where i place the frame bosses and which cantis and pads i use. Andy.
I agree completely. I have 3 cantilever equipped bikes and all of them have excellent brakes. I even had lots of mountain bikes with cantilevers without issue. Set up is a tad more difficult but once set up, they stop as well as any brake on the market...including current hub mounted discs. The problem is that most people don't set them up properly...starting with Shimano's stupid link wire.