Cyclocross Canti-lever Brakes

[Dirtbreath]

Anyone know why cyclocross bikes still use the old style cantilever brakes? I remember these from my first Mtb and they were a nightmare. Very glad when V-brakes came out. Why would they not use V-brakes for cyclocross?

[Tumbleweed]

years ago, i put drops on an old sunn tox (which has now become a singlespeed). paired a pair of road bike levers with v-brakes, but they were spongy.  

[AndreZA]

I asked the question a while back and all I got out of the hub was it was for mud clearance. Then I asked but MTB use V-brake and they don't have an issue with mud and no one responded. I guess no one knows.

 

 

[Dirtbreath]

Once you set those cantilevers they worked very well but the setup was a pain in the ass and you had to constantly adjust them.

 

Could they make specific road levers for V-brakes? Surely thats not the reason they dont use them.

[Tumbleweed]

Once you set those cantilevers they worked very well but the setup was a pain in the ass and you had to constantly adjust them.

 

Could they make specific road levers for V-brakes? Surely thats not the reason they dont use them.

 

i stand corrected, but don't v-brakes require extra cable-pull from the lever? and wouldn't v-brake arms have to be pulled too close to the narrower rims?  i don't see any reason why someone couldn't develop a road-levered v-brake system though.

[Dirtbreath]

Do any cyclocross bikes use hydraulic discs?

Could you ride a XC or marathon race on a Cyclocross bike. I ask because I have never ridden one and dont know how comfortable they are.

 

I would definitely consider one if I was in a position to commute to work.

[Kiwi]

 

Mud clearance. I don't think the oldies at the UCI will let them run disks.

Kiwi2008-09-17 00:35:55

[Tumbleweed]

Mud clearance. I don't the oldies at the UCI will let them run disks.

 

read that this morning after a google search.

 

Bikes used by pros are typically drop-bar road-style bikes with cantilever brake studs for V-brakes or cantis; cantis work best with integrated brake/shifters. Oddly, the International Cycling Union (UCI) outlaws disc brakes in the pro ranks, but allows them on mountain bikes. The rest of us need not worry about running disc brakes n `cross races. I've tested `cross bikes with disc brakes, and still prefer cantis. Popular mountain bike V-brakes require extra cable adapters for the road brake/shift levers, and still feel a tad mushy compared to cantis. Shimano, Tektro, Paul and Spooky are excellent choices.

 

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/cyclo-cross-3-manufacturers-resource--12683

 

and check this out?

 

 

 

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/strangebrakes.asp

[MintSauce]

 

When V-brakes were introduced I used them for a while with normal MTB brake levers and they were also a little spongy.

 

It's even worse with road levers, I assume cos the travel on a road brake setup is even less.

 

Only reason I can think of.

 

 

 

 

MintSauce2008-09-17 00:50:35

[Dirtbreath]

I dont buy the mud clearance thing. Why do you get better mud clearance with canti brakes?

 

As for leverage surely they could design a lever with a ratio intended for v-brakes. I am inclined to think that it is a historical thing.

 

I also think those cyclocross guys are nuts! Saw a video clip of one cyclocross guy kicking out at a spectator who was heckling him, Cantona style.

[Dirtbreath]

Holy, looks like you are right. The guys use "brifters" and noone seems to have made one that works properly with V-brakes. Why, I dont know.

[Kiwi]

 

When we say mud, we should also say snow, truely mad.

 

It's also the reason why you see deep section aero wheels on the pro bikes, the mud slides off a lot easier.

Kiwi2008-09-17 06:03:42

[Tumbleweed]

Holy' date=' looks like you are right. The guys use "brifters" and noone seems to have made one that works properly with V-brakes. Why, I dont know.[/quote']

 

can't help you there. maybe we should design something ourselves? (says mr technically inept). i'm gonna see if i've got any old v-lever at home and maybe come up with something. 

 

ps, am thinking about putting drops back on the ss. i know i said the brakes were a bit spongey when i combined lever with the v-brakes, but they were manageable.

[Flowta]

 

Once you set those cantilevers they worked very well but the setup was a pain in the ass and you had to constantly adjust them.

 

Could they make specific road levers for V-brakes? Surely thats not the reason they dont use them.

 

 

Tektro make road levers for V-brakes, Cane Creek as well (actually made by tektro) and as far as I know mini-V's will work road levers (brifters). Otherwise use travel agents with normal V's

 

[Kiwi]

Using cantis may have something to do with the arms of the calipers sticking out, remember these guys often run with the bike on the sholder as much as they ride, depending on the course. A V brake arm in the back would really suck.

[Tumbleweed]

Once you set those cantilevers they worked very well but the setup was a pain in the ass and you had to constantly adjust them.

 

Could they make specific road levers for V-brakes? Surely thats not the reason they dont use them.

Tektro make road levers for V-brakes' date=' Cane Creek as well (actually made by tektro) and as far as I know mini-V's will work road levers (brifters). Otherwise use travel agents with normal V's
[/quote']

 

locally available?