Mystery machined cantilever brake identification
07-06-22, 07:36 AM
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Mystery machined cantilever brake identification
Hi all--I'm trying to identify who made this 90's (CNC? its pretty smooth and rounded but I think is machined) cantilever brake. It sort of looks like a few different makers, but none quite match. The finish is quite nice, with a lot of small details. The odd, double-bolt assembly for the brake pads look like titanium (and like a nightmare to set up), and the two screws in the straddle cable yoke are super-tiny (and also look like a nightmare to set up). Even so, there's something compelling about these and I may just have to throw them on a bike to see how they do.
Last edited by fvernon; 07-06-22 at 07:49 AM. Reason: Possible error
07-06-22, 02:52 PM
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I swear I've seen that yoke before- but I'm drawing a blank on the brakes themselves.
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07-06-22, 03:49 PM
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Hi all--I'm trying to identify who made this 90's (CNC? its pretty smooth and rounded but I think is machined) cantilever brake. It sort of looks like a few different makers, but none quite match. The finish is quite nice, with a lot of small details. The odd, double-bolt assembly for the brake pads look like titanium (and like a nightmare to set up), and the two screws in the straddle cable yoke are super-tiny (and also look like a nightmare to set up). Even so, there's something compelling about these and I may just have to throw them on a bike to see how they do.
07-06-22, 06:50 PM
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No idea what they are, but I have a pile of those straddle cable yokes. Came in a big bag of canti stuff, everything else was branded Advent if I recall.
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07-06-22, 07:35 PM
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07-06-22, 07:38 PM
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Naw, that Mr Control stuff is all cheap modern carp. OP's are definately vintage 90s.
07-07-22, 01:21 PM
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Yeah, similar to the Speed Controllers, but with the bevelled edges, wrench-actuated adjuster nut, and indented space on the back for the brake shoe assembly, they are a different maker. Also similar to the Campagnolo Record O.R., but clearly a different maker for the same reasons...
07-07-22, 01:24 PM
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Similar to the Campy Record O.R. for sure, but several differences--the bevelled edges, the wrench-actuated adjuster nut, and the cut-in on the back for the brake pad assembly are all different than the Campagnolos I've seen so far. They do seem to take a very similar approach to the overall design though, so maybe there are versions of the O.R.s I haven't seen yet.
07-07-22, 01:26 PM
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Interesting! I swear the yoke looks familiar, but like something I haven't seen since the mid-90s or something. If you happen to track anything down, let me know!
07-07-22, 01:29 PM
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07-07-22, 01:58 PM
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Yeah, similar to the Speed Controllers, but with the bevelled edges, wrench-actuated adjuster nut, and indented space on the back for the brake shoe assembly, they are a different maker. Also similar to the Campagnolo Record O.R., but clearly a different maker for the same reasons...
You have a full set?
07-07-22, 02:22 PM
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lol, just the single brake. I am starting to wonder if they were made by a constructeur--the quality of finish and bevelled edges reminded me a bit of the work on smaller runs like the Bruce Gordon cantilever brakes (not my pic):
I'm going to polish this set up and see just how well they clean up. Now, I may have a full set of 90's Grafton Speed Controllers & matching Ringlé seatpost clamp on the way soon...
I'm going to polish this set up and see just how well they clean up. Now, I may have a full set of 90's Grafton Speed Controllers & matching Ringlé seatpost clamp on the way soon...
07-07-22, 02:26 PM
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Here's a great chart that I found, no pics but we can rule many out and look for pics of the rest. 
BikePro.com / Buyer's Guide / Cantilever Brake Comparison Table - Bicycle Parts at discount prices / the Buyer's Guide / Bicycle Parts at their finest! / Professional Bicycle Source / Bike Pro
BikePro.com / Buyer's Guide / Cantilever Brake Comparison Table - Bicycle Parts at discount prices / the Buyer's Guide / Bicycle Parts at their finest! / Professional Bicycle Source / Bike Pro
07-07-22, 02:30 PM
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lol, just the single brake. I am starting to wonder if they were made by a constructeur--the quality of finish and bevelled edges reminded me a bit of the work on smaller runs like the Bruce Gordon cantilever brakes (not my pic):
I'm going to polish this set up and see just how well they clean up. Now, I may have a full set of 90's Grafton Speed Controllers & matching Ringlé seatpost clamp on the way soon...
I'm going to polish this set up and see just how well they clean up. Now, I may have a full set of 90's Grafton Speed Controllers & matching Ringlé seatpost clamp on the way soon...
Or you can let me have them.
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07-07-22, 02:37 PM
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Here's a great chart that I found, no pics but we can rule many out and look for pics of the rest.
BikePro.com / Buyer's Guide / Cantilever Brake Comparison Table - Bicycle Parts at discount prices / the Buyer's Guide / Bicycle Parts at their finest! / Professional Bicycle Source / Bike Pro
BikePro.com / Buyer's Guide / Cantilever Brake Comparison Table - Bicycle Parts at discount prices / the Buyer's Guide / Bicycle Parts at their finest! / Professional Bicycle Source / Bike Pro
07-07-22, 02:46 PM
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Agreed; BikePro.com is a great resource...unfortunately, I've been through that chart and couldn't find anything (but may have missed something, too). This is a cool resource also: page de brake obscura...
07-07-22, 02:49 PM
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07-07-22, 03:41 PM
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lol, just the single brake. I am starting to wonder if they were made by a constructeur--the quality of finish and bevelled edges reminded me a bit of the work on smaller runs like the Bruce Gordon cantilever brakes (not my pic):
I'm going to polish this set up and see just how well they clean up. Now, I may have a full set of 90's Grafton Speed Controllers & matching Ringlé seatpost clamp on the way soon...
I'm going to polish this set up and see just how well they clean up. Now, I may have a full set of 90's Grafton Speed Controllers & matching Ringlé seatpost clamp on the way soon...
07-07-22, 06:32 PM
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I was able to find pics for most brakes listed, or other brakes by the same manufacturer for reference. The brake assembly on these—unless it’s some aftermarket titanium upgrade?—just doesn’t match anything I can find on the interwebs.
07-07-22, 07:15 PM
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Can't find it yet
Critical Racing
Curve
Critical Racing
Curve
07-07-22, 08:56 PM
#24
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Looking at Campagnolo catalogs in the 1992 to 1994 range, the shape of your cantilever brakes are just like those in the catalogs. What is different is the way the brake shoe posts are attached. It would appear that some pieces were either lost or modified at some point in their life. Google Campagnolo catalogs to find pictures that will document that those brakes started out as Campy.
I had a pair many years ago but gave them to one of my framebuilding class students.
I had a pair many years ago but gave them to one of my framebuilding class students.
07-08-22, 09:19 AM
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Looking at Campagnolo catalogs in the 1992 to 1994 range, the shape of your cantilever brakes are just like those in the catalogs. What is different is the way the brake shoe posts are attached. It would appear that some pieces were either lost or modified at some point in their life. Google Campagnolo catalogs to find pictures that will document that those brakes started out as Campy.
I had a pair many years ago but gave them to one of my framebuilding class students.
I had a pair many years ago but gave them to one of my framebuilding class students.
