IRD CAFAM Cantilevers
 

I ordered these for my LHT build, which is finally going to be done next week.

http://www.interlocracing.com/brake_canti.html

http://www.interlocracing.com/brakecafam_straighton.gif

They come preloaded with Koolstop pads.

Has anyone tried these? The price was the same for the Shimano BR-R550, they're cold forged, they weigh less and they have better pads stock.

Did I make a mistake getting these?

Looks like a nice pair of brakes to me. Are you using them on the rear as well? There is the possibility of heel strike if you are on a small frame. (still planning my LHT)

I thought very seriously about getting those, until rivendell showed up with their 'ribbit' brakes. The ribbits are about five steps back in terms of adjustability (non-threaded post-using pads, no provision for toe, individual arm tension set by bending the spring itself), but they were just what my bike needed aesthetically, and they've been working alright.

http://entirely-adequate.com/3rennew/rear3ren.jpg

I'd like to hear how the Cafams work out for you, though, I've got a bike I think they'd be appropriate for.

The Rivendell brakes are the *bend to adjust* style. You need to bend the springs to get the pads to hit the rim at the same point. I'd even try bending the *arms* to put a little toe into the pads. Spookie brakes seem simular.

This *bend to adjust* style isn't low class or bad at all. The best cyclocross bikes in world run this style of brakes. Sometimes bike parts just get too complex.

I have no idea about the new Camfams-- it's a take off from an old design, and I too would a report about them.

Yeah, I grew up on MTBs with mafacs, and I'm familiar with the bending to adjust. I've still got my mafac toe-adjustment tool (12" crescent wrench).

Still, in this era of easily adjustable cantis, they're a step back. Good thing they're pretty.

Just an update, I've put about 300 miles on them and I really like them. They seem to be easy enough to adjust and when the toe in is set right they don't make any noise.

No flex that I can tell from the arms either.

I like em!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...LHT/LHT069.jpg