Cantilever brake spring problem
04-17-09, 12:19 PM
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Cantilever brake spring problem
Hey guys, I've got yet another question. Today we were adjusting some Shimano cantilever brakes on an old Trek 830 mountain bike, and the spring on one of the cantilever arms slipped out of place and no amount of rebending the spring could get it to stay in the spring hole on the frame.
The problem is this: when we went to find a replacement set of cantilever arms, we discovered that the holes for mounting the spring were drilled on the opposite side (the outside) of the cantilever braze-on. This is compared to "normal" cantilever braze ons where the hole for the spring is drilled on the inside of the cantilever braze-on.
Does anyone have a solution to this problem? Does anyone know of any brand/model cantilever brakes where the spring mounts through a hole on the outside of the braze on, rather than the inside?
The problem is this: when we went to find a replacement set of cantilever arms, we discovered that the holes for mounting the spring were drilled on the opposite side (the outside) of the cantilever braze-on. This is compared to "normal" cantilever braze ons where the hole for the spring is drilled on the inside of the cantilever braze-on.
Does anyone have a solution to this problem? Does anyone know of any brand/model cantilever brakes where the spring mounts through a hole on the outside of the braze on, rather than the inside?
11-28-09, 10:48 PM
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I have the same issue with my older, Japanese built Univega Gran Touring. I never thought to check the array of the spring holes for the brake bosses until I looked into upgrading my brakes for better performance in loaded touring. The holes are indeed oriented to the outside rather than the inside. No dice, it won't work with anything other than those old (80's) Shimano low-pro canti's - and not all 80's Shimano canti's have springs that are aligned like that.
I was able to replace the adjustment base (plastic sleeve where the brake arm meets the frame boss) as well as the springs. Following that practice it might be possible to replace the adjustment base and spring on a newer brake (they're aren't too many new ones where these parts are replaceable, though as the adjustment base is usually part of the brake arm itself) so that it will mesh with the weird, backwards spring hole configuration. I haven't found a combination that works yet even after digging through what I would call a well stocked canti brake parts container at the shop.
In terms of your repair: replace the bent spring -or- maybe source some old Shimano canti's (parts bin/ eBay). The ones I'm using and am seemingly stuck with (low-profile Deore XT) have a distinctive look to them, probably pretty easy to keep an eye out for online or otherwise. I wouldn't mind the brakes on my Gran Touring if they didn't fall into disrepair so easily and require such seemingly never-ending attention. Not the best choice for touring! Good Luck!
I was able to replace the adjustment base (plastic sleeve where the brake arm meets the frame boss) as well as the springs. Following that practice it might be possible to replace the adjustment base and spring on a newer brake (they're aren't too many new ones where these parts are replaceable, though as the adjustment base is usually part of the brake arm itself) so that it will mesh with the weird, backwards spring hole configuration. I haven't found a combination that works yet even after digging through what I would call a well stocked canti brake parts container at the shop.
In terms of your repair: replace the bent spring -or- maybe source some old Shimano canti's (parts bin/ eBay). The ones I'm using and am seemingly stuck with (low-profile Deore XT) have a distinctive look to them, probably pretty easy to keep an eye out for online or otherwise. I wouldn't mind the brakes on my Gran Touring if they didn't fall into disrepair so easily and require such seemingly never-ending attention. Not the best choice for touring! Good Luck!
