canti vs. long-reach brakes
(Cross post from Touring forum, which doesn't get much action.)
I plan to order a new frame soon for my commuting bike, but I'm having trouble deciding between cantilever and long-reach brakes. I've already got some long-reach brakes that I picked up on-line a while ago with this build in mind, but a couple of the frames I am considering are only available with fittings for canti brakes. I will use this bike for commuting 3-4 days/week but might occasionally do some weekend tours.
I've never used canti brakes before, so I am concerned about some of the things I've heard -- namely that they can be hard to adjust, they tend to squeal. Are those legitimate concerns, assuming the brakes are set up properly? Are there any real advantages to cantis for my intended purpose? Would they be any better than LR brakes in rainy weather?
I have no need for really wide tires on my bike since I commute on decent roads, generally with 25 or 28 x700c tires. So long-reach brakes should accommodate my tire needs just fine. The LR brakes I've got are some really nice, brand new Shimano Ultegras.
Finally, if I go the canti route, any recommendations on brands or models would be appreciated. I'm leaning toward Shimanos since I've got a mix of Ultegra and Dura-Ace components already on my bike, and I've always had excellent experiences with their products.