Balancing Cantilever Brakes
11-30-23, 09:33 AM
#26
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and if you have first gen 8 speed XTR (M900) shifter/brake assemblies designed for cantilever brakes - a ‘travel agent’ or similar mechanism might be required so the brake pull will work with the linear brakes … later XTR 8 speed (M950 etc) are designed for linear brakes
11-30-23, 09:46 AM
#27
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I ran into a problem adjusting the front brake. These are the Shimano Altus CT91 brake. It has an adjustment on one side. I turned the screw too hard and the screw now turns without grabbing. It goes into a plastic housing. I would gladly replace the brakes with a higher end model. As I previously mentioned, the last one I tried did not work out. The pads would not go low enough to reach the rim.
I ride this bike more often than my road bike. Now that I am old, I feel more secure on the wider tires.
I see this as my choices.
1. Buy a new bike.
2. Change the the drive chain to a 1 X. I am happy with the XTR shifters however.
3. Buy another pair of the CT91 brakes
I would like to begin the process soon so that I can be ready to ride in the Spring.
All suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
I ride this bike more often than my road bike. Now that I am old, I feel more secure on the wider tires.
I see this as my choices.
1. Buy a new bike.
2. Change the the drive chain to a 1 X. I am happy with the XTR shifters however.
3. Buy another pair of the CT91 brakes
I would like to begin the process soon so that I can be ready to ride in the Spring.
All suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
( you can spot this in the picture above )
if you like the bike / plan to ride it -
I would look for brake calipers that have replaceable pads
I would lean toward replacing the crank with another triple or replacing the chainrings - whatever seems to make more sense and cents
replace the chain and cassette and you will be good to go for years
vintage ATB’s are great versatile bikes
Last edited by t2p; 12-01-23 at 03:16 AM.
12-02-23, 04:03 AM
#28
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one bad / not-so-good thing about the CT91 brake calipers is brake pad replacement will require replacement of the entire brake pad assembly (including post) and therefore will require adjustment etc - as opposed to a brake caliper that has brake pads with removable / replaceable brake pads (with just a small screw / pin) to retain the brake pad on the assembly
( you can spot this in the picture above )
if you like the bike / plan to ride it -
I would look for brake calipers that have replaceable pads
I would lean toward replacing the crank with another triple or replacing the chainrings - whatever seems to make more sense and cents
replace the chain and cassette and you will be good to go for years
vintage ATB’s are great versatile bikes
12-02-23, 07:46 PM
#29
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I am thinking of these brakes though reviews on their stopping power are mixed.https://www.thebikesmiths.com/produc...SABEgIYzfD_BwE
again - I prefer pads that can be replaced without replacing the entire brake pad assembly … the pads equipped with that brake caliper are not that type … just a preference though
for the most part I’m sorta / kinda boring and stick with a brake system that was originally spec’d on the bike or a similar bike of that general era … I have old XT cantilever brakes on my XT bikes, STX brakes on the STX bikes, XTR on the XTR bikes … etc …
cantilever brakes can provide very good stopping power when equipped with good pads and set up well (and rims with good sidewalls etc)
12-02-23, 08:08 PM
#30
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those brakes appear to be good but I’m not familiar with them
again - I prefer pads that can be replaced without replacing the entire brake pad assembly … the pads equipped with that brake caliper are not that type … just a preference though
for the most part I’m sorta / kinda boring and stick with a brake system that was originally spec’d on the bike or a similar bike of that general era … I have old XT cantilever brakes on my XT bikes, STX brakes on the STX bikes, XTR on the XTR bikes … etc …
cantilever brakes can provide very good stopping power when equipped with good pads and set up well (and rims with good sidewalls etc)
again - I prefer pads that can be replaced without replacing the entire brake pad assembly … the pads equipped with that brake caliper are not that type … just a preference though
for the most part I’m sorta / kinda boring and stick with a brake system that was originally spec’d on the bike or a similar bike of that general era … I have old XT cantilever brakes on my XT bikes, STX brakes on the STX bikes, XTR on the XTR bikes … etc …
cantilever brakes can provide very good stopping power when equipped with good pads and set up well (and rims with good sidewalls etc)
12-02-23, 10:36 PM
#31
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Stud type cartridge pads:
