Brian Johnson

I've used cantilever brakes for years-- I switched from cantilevers
to disc brakes in 2001. I've used Dia-Compe, Suntour, Scott, Shimano,
Avid, ad nauseum. I'm running Paul cantilevers right now.

The Avid Shortys are actually very good low profile brakes-- most
people just don't take the time to set them up properly. Cantilevers
are more fiddly than linear pulls and less forgiving of poor setup.
Brake pad are a very important component and can greatly affect the
performance of ANY brake system. I always recommend Kool-Stop pads--
they upgrade the braking performance of any brake. In particular I'd
recommend the Thinline or Mtn. Pads (dual compound).

Like the Paul brakes, the Avid Shortys pivot about their own bushing
(as do the Shimano BR550's) instead of directly on the boss. So the
pivots tend to be protected from the elements and thus offer a little
smoother action for longer. The Avid pivot sleeve assembly are a
press fit whereas the Pauls are sealed with a rubber o-ring. The
Avids held up to a couple of especially wet and muddy cyclocross
seasons before I had to perform a complete tear-down and regreasing.

I'd recommend the Shimanos-- their stuff is pretty much solid and
reliable -- or the Avid Shortys. I'd also recommend replacing the
stock pads (once they wear out) with Kool-Stops pads.

As an added plus, all Kool-Stop pads are produced right here in Lake
Oswego. Buy local! :)

Good luck!

Brian J.

* * *
My father asks : "Do you live here or ride bikes?"
http://liveorridebikes.blogspot.com

My life as a Crossniac:
www.crossniacs.com

Ron and Dorothy Strasser

Just realized there is a review of brakes in issue 7 of Cyclocross Magazine available at ? (shops that have it or whoever pipe in here). My personal favorite rock solid (not light, but I do not care) easy to "everything" with and on... is the Shimano BRS 550.
r
----- Original Message -----
From: NW Cyclist
To: Dan Silvernail ; obra
Sent: Friday, October 23, 2009 12:53 PM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Canti brakes opinion sought

I've been using Tektro 720 for a couple of years on my cross and commuter bikes, and they work great ( I commute 24 miles round trip 4 days/wk from beaverton to downtown pdx) as for pads, I used to burn thru pads like crazy till I switched to some cheap Ritchey Red pads, they're a little stiffer than the black, but I get plenty of braking power with the 720's, if you're buying new, I wouldn't spend the $ on the Paul's unless you prefer the look. The only thing about the 720's is the rear brakes stick out a little too far for dismount/remount, but I got used to it

On Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 12:34 PM, Dan Silvernail wrote:

Question about cantilever brakes: I know that the Paul's are the best; however, how are the "also rans" such as Frogleg or Grumpy? I'm currently running Tektro Oryx (JUNK!) on one bike and Tektro 720 on another bike. The 720's are actually pretty good but I can tell that they have a short life span. I'd love to have my canti brakes as low maintenance as my calipers if that's possible (obviously, pad replacement is going to happen a lot more frequently with the cantis because they will almost never be run i dry conditions).

Any constructive input on the subject is welcome. Thanks in advance.

Oh yea, if you have some good quality canti brakes that you want to sell, let me know.

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NW Cyclist

I've been using Tektro 720 for a couple of years on my cross and commuter
bikes, and they work great ( I commute 24 miles round trip 4 days/wk from
beaverton to downtown pdx) as for pads, I used to burn thru pads like crazy
till I switched to some cheap Ritchey Red pads, they're a little stiffer
than the black, but I get plenty of braking power with the 720's, if you're
buying new, I wouldn't spend the $ on the Paul's unless you prefer the
look. The only thing about the 720's is the rear brakes stick out a little
too far for dismount/remount, but I got used to it

On Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 12:34 PM, Dan Silvernail wrote:

> Question about cantilever brakes: I know that the Paul's are the best;
> however, how are the "also rans" such as Frogleg or Grumpy? I'm currently
> running Tektro Oryx (JUNK!) on one bike and Tektro 720 on another bike. The
> 720's are actually pretty good but I can tell that they have a short life
> span. I'd love to have my canti brakes as low maintenance as my calipers if
> that's possible (obviously, pad replacement is going to happen a lot more
> frequently with the cantis because they will almost never be run i dry
> conditions).
>
> Any constructive input on the subject is welcome. Thanks in advance.
>
> Oh yea, if you have some good quality canti brakes that you want to sell,
> let me know.
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

Dan Silvernail

Question about cantilever brakes: I know that the Paul's are the best;
however, how are the "also rans" such as Frogleg or Grumpy? I'm currently
running Tektro Oryx (JUNK!) on one bike and Tektro 720 on another bike. The
720's are actually pretty good but I can tell that they have a short life
span. I'd love to have my canti brakes as low maintenance as my calipers if
that's possible (obviously, pad replacement is going to happen a lot more
frequently with the cantis because they will almost never be run i dry
conditions).

Any constructive input on the subject is welcome. Thanks in advance.

Oh yea, if you have some good quality canti brakes that you want to sell,
let me know.