Tired of my old rusted cantilever brakes on my commuter (Marin Muirwoods circa early 90's). Does anyone have a cantilever brake recommendations?

Lots of recommendations.

Cheap: Tektro and off-brand stuff on ebay
Reasonably affordable: Avid Shorty 4 or Shorty 6
Less affordable: Paul (Stoplights, Touring, a few other models)

There are lots of niche products made for various forms of racing, especially cross. Some beautifully designed stuff out there, but mostly pricey.

I'm looking for really nice levers for cantilever but not finding much. Paul Love levers are nice, but expensive. Hopefully this thread will turn up some more info...

https://www.treefortbikes.com/107_333...t-or-Rear.html

The Tektro CR720s seem to get good reviews and are inexpensive. I've got Shimano R550s on my commuter bike and have no complaints. They are a little more expensive than the Tektros but probably nicer finish.

Another vote for CR720s.

If you're looking for the economical and strong solution, they're the way to go. The Velo-Orange Grand Cru (Mafac design knockoff) is another good option.
If you can drop the coin on them, Paul Neo-Retros are well designed, well built, and super strong.

I use Tektro CR720s. You might want to check the clearance for your panniers with those, you could have some interference. Other than that, there's plenty of braking power at a good price.

What is the difference between avid shorty 4 and 6? And if any of the cantilever brakes are specified for use with road bike brake levers does that prevent them from being used with mountain bike levers?

Don't know between the 4 and 6, but cantis can be used with any standard pull lever you would put on a caliper road bike or non V-brake compatible lever.

Linear pull (V-brake) and mechanical discs (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that) both use a different cable travel distance than caliper/canti brakes.

Another vote for Tektro CR720. Mine are set up with Koolstop salmons and cheap Shimano levers. Killer combo, changed my mind about cantis. Just watch out, they are very high profile. This has caused me problems when I swapped my stock Tektro Oryx brakes out for the 720s. The new brakes interfere with my child carrier. It's going to require quite a bit of surgery to the carrier.

I am very happy with Avid Shorty 6, but Nashbar have similar ones at $20 for a full set (front and back). The Avids came with three different length straddle cables to allow you to tune the power.

Do people run tektro 720s front and rear or just rear?

The Avid BB7 comes in a mountain version, and also a road version.
So you choose the one that works with the levers you intend to use.

CR720s again. Noticing a trend? Just make sure you have enough room to fit them. They do stick out a bit on the sides.

I have 2 bikes with Tektro CR720, with Koolstop (red all weather) brake pads. The CR720 are quick and easy to set up. You don't even have to be very precise about "toe in".

I have lots of other canti brakes in my dusty parts bin. Avid shorty 6 (loud squealers on the front!), IRD, old suntour and shimano. Someday I'll find a home for some these parts, somebody else's bike though.

I like IRDs. https://www.interlocracing.com/brake_canti.html

Look nice too, IMO.

Why change brakes? Is it just looks? Besides reports of squealing from some brands (which don't necessarily agree with each other), it doesn't seem like there's any major differences between brands. Is this the case?

I'm serious here, in this case because I just adjusted my (Stock Shimano 200GS) cantilevers. If there are canti's out there that are easier to adjust, I'm all ears.

cr720 in the front and oryx in the back. Front will probably get koolstop salmon once these are toast.

I think mine are the exact same as yours (GS200). I struggled with that same question, why bother. I adjusted them and they work just fine. Reading about some of the finicky set up of cantilevers and squealing brake pads, I am going to wait till I wear out the brake pads and than pick up either the tektro cr720 or IRD based on the recomendations above.

Thanks for everyones input

I swapped from Oryx to CR720s for: ease of setup, cartridge pad holders, squeal reduction, and looks. I was gonna have to buy pads for the Oryx anyway, and the CR720s are more punkrock.

If you want the easier-to-adjust-ever cantis, score some Onzas. I will forever regret only buying a rear brake...and eventually selling it on a gorgeous MB-1 for next to nothing.