Thread: Best Canti brakes for cyclocross ????

Anyone got some good feedback on the best brake setup for a cyclocross bike with canti bosses ? (not disc compatible).

I've currently got some serious piece of shit Tekpro mini V-Brakes that don't work all too well with standard STI road levers. One issue is they're V-Brakes with a road lever, but the main issue is that they just plain suck regardless.

I'm leaning towards a pair of the Avid 6 Shorty. They claim to be powerful with good modulation, but still look to be relatively low-profile.

Anything else I should be looking at ?

I've never run across a bad Avid brake (whether canti, or mechanical/hydraulic disc).

Agreed, the Avids are currently the best. I have two pairs of brand new mid '90's vintage Ritchey WCS canti brakes. PM me if you're interested.

You can't go wrong with Paul's, you can definetly find them used and cheap. Also, old XT/XTR cantis are very nice.

Spooky's are nice, but $$.

I'm running Avid Shorty 6s on my Cross-Check. They're relatively cheap, but relatively meh. Squealy with Avid pads and somewhat tough to toe-in. Agree with Darkside; an old set of good mtn cantis are just as good.

Paul Neo-Retro or SRP Mr. Grumpys are the real deal if you've got the cash for new stoppers.

Pauls, Spookys, froglegs--any of the old cantis that put the post as far out as possible give the best mud clearance and most leverage. But, these also tend to be the most expensive, and hardest to set up.

the least expensive route is a pair of shimano cantis, the stx, lx, xt, and xtr all provide about the same power when set up properly. I got old front and rear lxs for 15 dollars.

I've used avids and have never been impressed.

V brakes are no good because they dont provide much mud clearance, and they set the pads close to the rim initially, so they clog up easily. Also, STI levers dont work that great with v brakes, so thats probably why you are having problems.

Salsa sells a cable hanger/saddle that is much wider than other saddles, so you can set the pads farther out for better mud clearance and it makes them a bit stronger I hear. Those cable hangers, coupled with old shimano cantis and some kool stop salmon pads are your best/cheapest/most reliable/easiest to set up combination.

Oh yeah, if your name is referencing Fat Chance bikes...then kick ass.

Originally Posted by CantDog

... if your name is referencing Fat Chance bikes...then kick ass.

.... none other. My avatar is the head tube badge of a Yo! Eddy, which is still one of the best riding frames I've ever been on.

Thanks all for the input. I like the looks of the Spooky's too, but I thought they were just too much damn $$. Then I saw the Paul's price tag ... whew!

I was also kind of worried about how far those "retro" style canti's stick out, but it doesn't seem to be an issue since it wasn't mentioned by anyone.

I was under the gun to get something ordered so I got a set of the Avid 6's, but that was before I read the mixed reviews on them ... I need to have the bike in a box to take on vacation with me by Thursday.

When I get back I'm going to save my pennies up for some Spooky's.

Nice, a local shop in Maine used to have a fat chance road bike hanging up that they never sold, I regret not buying it. I also regret getting a Y5 as my first mountain bike over a bontrager, when they were still handmade.

The spookys/froglegs/old diacompes/etc can be a problem, but it depends on the person. I've never had an issue catching something on them while riding or dismounting, but I never rode them very long.

Craigslist is a good place to look for used cantis,(put up a want ad) as well as ebay.