Cantilever brakes for touring bike , suggestions?
#26
Banned
Other than the changers of the subject to V brakes ..
I have been using Cantilever brakes for 40 years ..
Back then frame designers had Narrower spaced Bosses on Forks Mafac Worked there.
(BF posters have an allergy to measuring)"Narrow" is not a number , glad you finally did that work )
6 Cm apart, taken from my old Pinarello Steel fork on steel frame CX bike..
I use the Long Arm type Mafac made for Tandems , with longer brake Pads [5 dot]
They offered a shorter arm Criterium version , adopted Widely By Cyclo Cross racers ..
4 dot pads, like they use with the 'racer' Center pull Bolt On .. Pads..
I note , the current Shimano Cross cantilever has a Spacer , between the pad and the arm,
that can be chosen in thickness depending on the Boss spacing.. the pivot bushing is off set to the center ..
[" Includes 18, 14 and 10mm brake pad spacing washers " ]
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...13&category=34
...
I have been using Cantilever brakes for 40 years ..
Back then frame designers had Narrower spaced Bosses on Forks Mafac Worked there.
(BF posters have an allergy to measuring)"Narrow" is not a number , glad you finally did that work )
6 Cm apart, taken from my old Pinarello Steel fork on steel frame CX bike..
I use the Long Arm type Mafac made for Tandems , with longer brake Pads [5 dot]
They offered a shorter arm Criterium version , adopted Widely By Cyclo Cross racers ..
4 dot pads, like they use with the 'racer' Center pull Bolt On .. Pads..
I note , the current Shimano Cross cantilever has a Spacer , between the pad and the arm,
that can be chosen in thickness depending on the Boss spacing.. the pivot bushing is off set to the center ..
[" Includes 18, 14 and 10mm brake pad spacing washers " ]
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...13&category=34
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 12-12-16 at 11:44 AM.
#27
Senior Member
Other than the changers of the subject to V brakes ..
I have been using Cantilever brakes for 40 years ..
Back then frame designers had Narrower spaced Bosses on Forks Mafac Worked there.
(BF posters have an allergy to measuring)"Narrow" is not a number , glad you finally did that work )
6 Cm apart, taken from my old Pinarello Steel fork on steel frame CX bike..
I use the Long Arm type Mafac made for Tandems , with longer brake Pads [5 dot]
They offered a shorter arm Criterium version , adopted Widely By Cyclo Cross racers ..
4 dot pads, like they use with the 'racer' Center pull Bolt On .. Pads..
I note , the current Shimano Cross cantilever has a Spacer , between the pad and the arm,
that can be chosen in thickness depending on the Boss spacing.. the pivot bushing is off set to the center ..
[" Includes 18, 14 and 10mm brake pad spacing washers " ]
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...13&category=34
...
I have been using Cantilever brakes for 40 years ..
Back then frame designers had Narrower spaced Bosses on Forks Mafac Worked there.
(BF posters have an allergy to measuring)"Narrow" is not a number , glad you finally did that work )
6 Cm apart, taken from my old Pinarello Steel fork on steel frame CX bike..
I use the Long Arm type Mafac made for Tandems , with longer brake Pads [5 dot]
They offered a shorter arm Criterium version , adopted Widely By Cyclo Cross racers ..
4 dot pads, like they use with the 'racer' Center pull Bolt On .. Pads..
I note , the current Shimano Cross cantilever has a Spacer , between the pad and the arm,
that can be chosen in thickness depending on the Boss spacing.. the pivot bushing is off set to the center ..
[" Includes 18, 14 and 10mm brake pad spacing washers " ]
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...13&category=34
...
#28
Banned
I could suggest Pauls, but The OP is in the EU so they would cost an even prettier a Penny than they do in the USA where they are made.
Neo Retro Front https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...23&category=34
And Touring Rear (a bit more heel clearance) https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...24&category=34
Neo Retro Front https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...23&category=34
And Touring Rear (a bit more heel clearance) https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...24&category=34
#30
Senior Member
As you can see the bosses are too narrow for the Avid brake. Pads hit the 27" rim too soon and too high touching the tire...

@jambon says his bosses are at 7 cm so perhaps has a better chance at fitting new cantilever brakes. Or as suggested above try to find old ones.
#31
Senior Member
@jambon, Because they can be meaningful, I measured the rim width and the amount of adjustment available. Also not mentioned earlier, both bikes have Shimano Alivio brakes.
The rim on the bike with a 77 mm span are 25.85 mm wide and there is ~8 mm pad depth adjustment available for each brake arm.
HTH,
Brad
The rim on the bike with a 77 mm span are 25.85 mm wide and there is ~8 mm pad depth adjustment available for each brake arm.
HTH,
Brad
#32
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I have Tektro CR-720s and Shimano CX-50s on my touring and cross bikes. They both work great and are relatively inexpensive, but will function better with high quality pads such as Kool Stop salmons. Canti brakes have some clear advantages over V-brakes and discs that are often overlooked by their proponents. Canti brakes do not clog with mud, are easy to open wide for installing tires, and still work if your wheels get out of true. V-brakes will rub if your tires get out of true, which could prevent you from rolling. Disc brakes are much more expensive and could drive your crazy if they start rubbing and/or squealing. The secret to canti brakes is using good pads and have them set up properly.
#33
Banned
My Ultimate brake, Scott-Matthauser SE ( self energizing ) .. they pull a bit tighter as the wheel rotates pulling the pads..
Sun Tour version was only the rear. you have to win those on your auction site , as they've been out of production for decades..
...
Sun Tour version was only the rear. you have to win those on your auction site , as they've been out of production for decades..
...
#34
Banned
Yep. Just for the heck of it I tried to install a discarded '90s Avid Shorty onto the fork of a retired 1982 touring frame. Like fietsbob's Pinarello the fork bosses are 6 cm apart and originally intended for Mafac cantis. That said, I recall at one time using an older Shimano canti on it that also fit.
As you can see the bosses are too narrow for the Avid brake. Pads hit the 27" rim too soon and too high touching the tire...
@jambon says his bosses are at 7 cm so perhaps has a better chance at fitting new cantilever brakes. Or as suggested above try to find old ones.
As you can see the bosses are too narrow for the Avid brake. Pads hit the 27" rim too soon and too high touching the tire...
@jambon says his bosses are at 7 cm so perhaps has a better chance at fitting new cantilever brakes. Or as suggested above try to find old ones.

#35
Senior Member
fietsbob, Yes, now that I see your photo I recall that the Shimano cantis I used were that style with posts on the pads.
edit: Looks like the Shimano Altus in your link are still made that way...
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...51&category=34
edit: Looks like the Shimano Altus in your link are still made that way...
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...51&category=34
Last edited by BobG; 12-13-16 at 10:38 AM.
#36
Si Senior
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Avid Shorty Ultra's are my absolute favorite. I splurged once (sort of accidentally went beyond what I wanted to spend) and ordered a set. Discovered I love them. Most excellent canti brake. Did I mention I love them.
https://www.amazon.com/Avid-Shorty-U.../dp/B004HNRT5K
https://www.amazon.com/Avid-Shorty-U.../dp/B004HNRT5K
#37
Clark W. Griswold
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TRP Revox work really nicely and were quite popular in CX. I put some on my fixed gear randocross bike I just built and I am quite happy with them so far (as I have been with other TRP products) If not the TRPs I would have gone Paul in a heartbeat or possibly the Avid Shorty Ultimates.
#39
Senior Member
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