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V-brakes vs. Cantilevers

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V-brakes vs. Cantilevers

Old 04-07-12, 01:02 PM
  #51  
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Tomorrow will mark 12 years...I came to this thread -- and happy to keep it alive -- because I am considering a Surly Cross Check and a Long Haul Trucker (I'm a road racer and typically "hang out" in the 33). Thanks for the years of info here folks I'm going to use it, at first, for a 1700 mile tour through Europe, then, probably commuting and some recreational off-road riding. I think it will be V-brake for me.
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Old 04-07-12, 01:18 PM
  #52  
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I like cantilever brakes. I haven't found them to be that hard to adjust and I have the old style post pads as opposed to the ones you actually screw in and can do the angle easier. Work great for a drop bar mtb conversion.
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Old 04-07-12, 01:28 PM
  #53  
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I have cantilever on my old bridgestone mb-2 and mb-3 without issues...but, I do like the v-brakes on my kids' mtbs
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Old 05-31-12, 08:22 AM
  #54  
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Not bad for an old thread! With our luck it might reach 13!
My only issue with my Bianchi Sika's cantis is heel strike.
I have Deore LX cantis on that bike and my heels often hit the brakes.
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Old 04-04-13, 08:26 AM
  #55  
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bump!

I like cantis because they offer a wide range of adjustment (which also complicates adjustment), though I haven't riddent vbrakes for a few years. I remember they stopped well but I feel like there was less modulation.
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Old 04-04-13, 09:45 AM
  #56  
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When I bought my mtn bike, there was a craze for anodized parts, so I set up my bike with blue colored parts. Got myself blue colored Critical Racing cantilever brakes with matching blue colored Paul Love Levers. Well that was back in the early 90's.....it is still going strong and like they say, if it ain't broke, why should I change to vee brakes...
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Old 04-04-13, 10:09 AM
  #57  
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Minimalism is big now. In houses . . . in running shoes . . . who knows? Maybe brakes that are almost not there will make a comeback too
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Old 04-04-13, 10:02 PM
  #58  
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Originally Posted by dminor
Minimalism is big now. In houses . . . in running shoes . . . who knows? Maybe brakes that are almost not there will make a comeback too
...I guess I'm only a few days late posting about NYC's burgeoning brakeless fixie mountain biking scene.
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Old 04-05-13, 03:15 AM
  #59  
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Old 04-05-13, 08:39 AM
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^a bad April Fool's idea that I didn't get to photoshop in time. If it's really happening I will go kick myself.
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Old 04-06-13, 06:47 AM
  #61  
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Originally Posted by dminor
Minimalism is big now. In houses . . . in running shoes . . . who knows? Maybe brakes that are almost not there will make a comeback too
Why not in bikes as a whole?

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Old 04-06-13, 07:16 AM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by samburger
Why not in bikes as a whole?

I've heard those striders are the best way to teach kids to ride.
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Old 04-07-13, 10:34 PM
  #63  
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I don't know I have a merida equiped with the full 1993 lx group set, the cantis are braking well but i will replace them later with v brakes for a better and more modulable braking.
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Old 04-07-13, 10:40 PM
  #64  
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Checking in...

Kudos to those using the search feature and not starting another cantis vs V brakes thread because it has been a question that has plagued mankind for millenia.
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Old 04-08-13, 03:26 AM
  #65  
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Nothings ever quite that simple anyway. V-brakes ARE THEMSELVES a form of cantilever brakes - actually the Registered name for Shimano's version of linear pull cantilever brakes. Even cable pull isn't consistent. Mini V-brakes will have a ratio similar to traditional cantis and less mechanical advantage than V-brakes eith longer arms. And the now discontinued Shimano parallel push V-brakes have every bit as much braking power as many disc brake systems.

Tire, fender or rack clearance is usually more of a reason to end up with one system over another. Traditional cantis give the most clearance and can handle any tire/fender combination that'll fit on a bike. And they happen to be compatible with the pull ratio of most road brake levers.
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Old 07-03-13, 04:39 PM
  #66  
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Can v-brakes generally be mounted on frames that typically use cantilevers? I'm looking at building a commuter and inevitably I come across cyclocross frames (e.g. the Soma Double Cross) as being good candidates for the build. But in any photos of these bikes as commuters they almost universally have cantilever brakes on them. I was just wondering if there's any reason that they can't use v-brakes instead?
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Old 07-03-13, 06:10 PM
  #67  
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Originally Posted by Carson Dyle
Can v-brakes generally be mounted on frames that typically use cantilevers?
Generally, Yes they use the same base in most instances. There are a few odd situations where that's not true that I've run into, but most (well over 95%) instances it's a direct replacement. However, be aware that you may have to change your levers as they typically are not compatible between canti and V's.
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Old 10-11-13, 09:41 AM
  #68  
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I'm trying to fit rim brakes to a fork with narrow 55mm wide post centers combined with 22.5mm wide rims. I need suggestions for cantilever brakes with short arms and highly adjustable pad placement or I will need suggestions for V-brakes, if cantilevers are not going to fit. Both the angle of the pad and the height of the pad needs to be adjustable.

Any suggestions?
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Old 10-11-13, 10:34 AM
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Are you using road brake levers or mountain (v-brake) levers?

Edit: First, I come back and then this thread. It's like 2006 never left.
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Old 10-11-13, 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Grimlock
Are you using road brake levers or mountain (v-brake) levers?

Edit: First, I come back and then this thread. It's like 2006 never left.
Old school Shimano 600 pre-aero Road bike levers
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Old 10-11-13, 12:42 PM
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If you're committed to those levers, you'll need either cantilevers or mini-V's. A regular V-brake won't work well.
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Originally Posted by sp00ki
Using a nicer sealed bearing headset vs a $10 set is like throwing a frisbee vs a dodgeball.
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Old 10-12-13, 04:17 AM
  #72  
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Originally Posted by dminor
Minimalism is big now. In houses . . . in running shoes . . . who knows? Maybe brakes that are almost not there will make a comeback too
Prophetic!
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Old 10-12-13, 11:30 AM
  #73  
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Originally Posted by Barrettscv
I'm trying to fit rim brakes to a fork with narrow 55mm wide post centers combined with 22.5mm wide rims. I need suggestions for cantilever brakes with short arms and highly adjustable pad placement or I will need suggestions for V-brakes, if cantilevers are not going to fit. Both the angle of the pad and the height of the pad needs to be adjustable.

Any suggestions?
I'd probably go with some mega-reach BMX calipers. They aren't always the best stoppers but good enough for many applications.

EDIT: might not even need that. What kinda fork is it? What tires? If a touring fork and tires around 40mm- you could probably run some long-reach roadie calipers.

Last edited by LesterOfPuppets; 10-12-13 at 11:35 AM.
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Old 10-13-13, 12:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Barrettscv
I'm trying to fit rim brakes to a fork with narrow 55mm wide post centers combined with 22.5mm wide rims. I need suggestions for cantilever brakes with short arms and highly adjustable pad placement or I will need suggestions for V-brakes, if cantilevers are not going to fit. Both the angle of the pad and the height of the pad needs to be adjustable.

Any suggestions?
Paul Motolites come immediately to mind. The little brackets that the brake shoes mount to can be flipped over to not only put them above or below the brake arm, but also to move the shoes farther outboard. Of course, being from Paul's, they're a bit pricey.
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Old 10-13-13, 04:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Greyryder
Paul Motolites come immediately to mind. The little brackets that the brake shoes mount to can be flipped over to not only put them above or below the brake arm, but also to move the shoes farther outboard. Of course, being from Paul's, they're a bit pricey.
I'm going to contact Paul. These and the touring Cantilevers look promising.
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