I ride a cross bike (Norcross Blue) as a road bike. This bike has cantilever brakes and they are quite weak. I've heard this is normal for cantilevers. I really have to squeeze very hard to come to a stop at the bottom of a hill, for example. I also ride a hybrid with linear pull brakes and they are much better. I like having good reliable brakes so I need to either find a way to make the cantilevers better or replace them. What do you suggest?

https://sheldonbrown.com/canti-trad.html

The Geometry of Cantilever Brakes

Also, Swiss Stop or Kool Stop pads.

Yeah, might be your brake pads. I've played around with Avid Shorty 4's and they seem to give as good a stopping power as the caliper brakes on my other road bikes.

true.

If they are properly adjusted, and the pads are good, cantilever brakes work well. Adjusting them can be a little tricky if you only have 2 hands.

In another thread (and more or less what Sheldon Brown states)

A long Yoke cable ==> hard to pull.
A short Yoke cable ==> easy to pull.

So, try a bit of adjustment.

TRP

Black Kool Stop Eagle Claw 2's and learn how to set the toe in.

IME, there are three steps.

- Get better pads
- Fuss w/ adjustment
- Lower your expectations

Step 1: fiddle with the adjustment
Step 2: buy better pads
Step 3: fiddle with the adjustment again
Step 4: replace them with mini-v brakes. Either TRP CX 8.4 or the much cheaper Tektro 926.

[h=1]First I'd try new pads. I like Kool Stop Mountain pads, black and salmon. They work fine on road bike rims. Properly adjusted they will probably make a big difference.[/h]

Clean your rims (and pads). Wet wipes work great.

This:

Then this:


Then this:
Seriously though, the can work well but can also be a pia to set up properly.

Definitely adjust the yoke and thereby the angle the crossover sits relative to the lever. Pads obviously.

I'd also have a look at your cables and casings. Sloppy, poorly cut or poorly seated housings will yield squishy brakes. Have a look at thise, as well.

+1

Though I hate setting up canti brakes. Mini V-brakes, or classic V-brakes is what I always go for. Just make sure they work with the levers, or get the appropriate levers. On an old MTB I got 2nd hand V-brake levers and brakes - didn't want to mess with the cantis, no way!

Thanks for the tip but they are TRP brakes.

Thanks for all the advice. I guess this gives me a winter project. I will look at the pads and possibly replace those. I will shorten the yoke. And if that fails, I will replace with a different kind of brake.

... and why is that an issue?

Sorry, I misinterpreted your comment. I thought you were suggesting I get TRP cantilever brakes. The CX8.4 you suggested may be the way to go.

No worries. FWIW, I've had the CX9s on my bike (heavy use) for five full seasons; one brake pad change aside (easy-peasy) they have required absolutely no adjustment in that time aside from a quarter-turn or two on the lever barrel to compensate for pad wear (I use flat bars/levers). I am not kidding; they are extremely well-made from very high-quality materials, and very powerful (no flex).

The CX8.4s are identical in materials/construction, save for slightly shorter arms.