Brake upgrade...
 

I currently am at an impasse with my LHT. Love the bike, everything has been grand, a couple tours later though, the canti brakes up front seem to be seizing, and I can't unstick them, now I know why I went through brake pads so quickly, compared to regular commuting etc. Fortunately this is happening while I can remedy the problem and not out on tour depending on them to work.

Researched the forums, and it seems an over looked item in everyone's build, save to say they are going V brake vs, canti, and wish tour bikes came with disc braze-ons. Seems to me this is a major part of touring not getting a lot of attention, when you can't brake, or they fail in the Rockies, you might be meeting your maker sooner then you thought. Even the great Lance Armstrong had a brake failure that he claims cost him a stage win.

I like cantis, but man is there a better manufacturer than the stock versions on the LHT? Something you can tear apart, lube and put back on the bike without a lot of hassle? If I can't do it in my kitchen with all my tools, what am I gonna do out on tour?

Please explain this seizing you mention. I'm trying to understand how this is possible with even cheap canti brakes. Is it your cables or just poor adjustment?

I don't understand it either, but I have had the one canti that is seizing off twice now and can't get it apart to see what it going on, there is a sleeve inside the brake arm that seems to be the pivot for the brake arm and it is here that it seizes. I have tried penetrating oil, lube, a hammer, a screw driver.

I just wanted to get some suggestions on a better brake before I purchase the same problem.

Is it possible you have a broken strand in your brake cable inside the housing? Seems like the possible reason. Otherwise I have not a clue what could be causing this. I use the same Canti's and though not anything special they do work well enough for the last 12K miles that I continue to use them.

Maybe just buy some used cantilever brakes? I might have a used set somewhere, you want me to check?

There are thousands of old high-end cantilever brakes sitting around from when they were the brakes of choice on good mountain bikes. Now that they're once more only used on cyclocross and touring bikes, you can probably hunt some down cheaply.

I have had similar problems with post-mont brakes in the past. MOST of the time, the probem has something to do with the top washer binding on the brake itself. Sometimes, it seems to be something with the bushing and the post. Regardless, if you choose to repace it (and I would if I did not feel like piddling around with it), there are two things to consider.

1). If you got to V-brakes, your levers will likely not work becasue the amount of pull required is different.

2). Just about anything is as good as or better than the standard LHT Tekro canti's (not intended to be a knock on them, they work and and don't cost a fortune). I have not tried the offerings from Paul/Rivendaell/Velo Orange or the latest Dia Comps, but I am sure they work fine. If you don't want to shell out the $$ for new/untested, then you ought to be able to find some mid-1980's Shimano's or Dia Comp's which will work virtually forever. If you have access to a bike coop, dig through what they have and I am sure you will finds some for little $$....ours had a box full of them.