Advice on Mafac cantilevers -- substitute?
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Advice on Mafac cantilevers -- substitute?
I have a kinda-sorta cross post on the tandem forum, because I am ultimately asking about a tandem frame. However, I have a narrower question for this other collective font of knowledge, specifically about Mafac cantilevers. In general, is there a substitute that works for bikes that use these brakes originally, like a vintage canti (like Dia Compe), modern canti, or v-brake? Also, something that allows the vertical adjustment to swap from 27" to 700c?
I just don't want to be locked into using 27" wheels and Mafac cantis if I can use something else with the frame.
Thanks for your advice!
I just don't want to be locked into using 27" wheels and Mafac cantis if I can use something else with the frame.
Thanks for your advice!
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I picked up a Miyata 610 that was probably built ~1983 many years ago with Shimano cantis. Never learned the model #. First ride it was obvious they had all the stopping power of my Mooney's Mafac cantis, same feel and were just plain better, easy to work on brakes. Very soon I swapped the brakes. Those Shimanos have been on the Mooney for 31 years and 40,000? miles.
Now, I had the Mooney built with the canti bosses set midway between 27" and 700c. The 2mm vertical offset is easy. (A very worn and neglected pad can slip down off a 700c rim in a hard stop so be aware. It would be 4mm for you, going to 700c. I'd use rims that had fairly deep and square brake tracks for wet day security.
Now, I had the Mooney built with the canti bosses set midway between 27" and 700c. The 2mm vertical offset is easy. (A very worn and neglected pad can slip down off a 700c rim in a hard stop so be aware. It would be 4mm for you, going to 700c. I'd use rims that had fairly deep and square brake tracks for wet day security.
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I have a kinda-sorta cross post on the tandem forum, because I am ultimately asking about a tandem frame. However, I have a narrower question for this other collective font of knowledge, specifically about Mafac cantilevers. In general, is there a substitute that works for bikes that use these brakes originally, like a vintage canti (like Dia Compe), modern canti, or v-brake? Also, something that allows the vertical adjustment to swap from 27" to 700c?
I just don't want to be locked into using 27" wheels and Mafac cantis if I can use something else with the frame.
Thanks for your advice!
I just don't want to be locked into using 27" wheels and Mafac cantis if I can use something else with the frame.
Thanks for your advice!
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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Quite limited tire choice compared to 700c plus a change to 700c can make an almost too big frame into a slightly more tolerable one. Otherwise nothing wrong with 27" per se. Don
Last edited by ollo_ollo; 08-13-21 at 07:58 AM. Reason: ' to "
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I wonder how long until we see a gravel penny farthing.
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Also allow more room for fenders and bigger tires. My city/rain/winter bikes have been converted to 700c for the past 45 years. (7 of 8 frames; I had to cut the fender for the one 700c frame and go no larger than 25c tires,.)
Last edited by 79pmooney; 08-13-21 at 12:02 PM. Reason: Forgot a few bikes