So are canti breaks totally obsolete?

[nickrenfro]

I've had this rock lobster for quite some time now - have loved every ride I've taken it on. It's beginning to be that time though where I look at my stable and try and decide which of that too many bikes I already have I should get rid of so that I can afford something else. I thought I had posted this bike up for a proper price - it's california steel with all of the good stuff, but no one is biting. Maybe it's not cx season or maybe, which is what I'm actually thinking, canti bikes are dead. What is everyones opinion on this? Does no one buy canti bikes anymore?

[hummus_aquinas]

I see you, b. that rock lobster you have for sale is sick but it's definitely a hard sell when disc brakes totally rule and are totally worth it.

[nickrenfro]

Originally Posted by hummus_aquinas

I see you, b. that rock lobster you have for sale is sick but it's definitely a hard sell when disc brakes totally rule and are totally worth it.

Hydraulic is king, but mechanical on the otherhand is the same, if not sometimes worse, than canti. Pros and cons to everything though I guess.

[choke]

No, they aren't obsolete.

[happycampyer]

Canti brakes are not obsolete, but they are a niche product in a niche that is, for the most part, shrinking. A lot of cyclocross bikes have been bought over the years by folks who never raced in a 'cross race. Over the last five or so years, the "all road" or "gravel bike" category has taken off, and in the last several years in particular has shifted heavily towards disc brakes. Just take a look at the thread "show me your gravel bikes" from the beginning to end to see the progression over the term of that thread.

So, people are still buying cyclocross bikes with canti brakes, but probably not as many (or at least no more than) five or maybe ten years ago. And as you note, cyclocross is a seasonal sport. There's always been more demand for 'cross bikes at the beginning of the season, and my sense is that, with the availability of so many other options for those who don't race cyclocross, that seasonality is even more pronounced.

The bike will obviously sell at some price. You'll need to decide if it's worth more to you to keep at that price than to sell it.

Originally Posted by nickrenfro

Hydraulic is king, but mechanical on the otherhand is the same, if not sometimes worse, than canti. Pros and cons to everything though I guess.

In my experience mechanical disc brakes have more stopping power than cantis, but don't have modulation on par with calipers or hydro disc. Of course, everyone's mileage varies, and my experience is limited to the varieties of brakes that I've tried.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by hummus_aquinas

I see you, b. that rock lobster you have for sale is sick but it's definitely a hard sell when disc brakes totally rule and are totally worth it.

totally....dude

[Zee]

I'm a big fan of the bike I have own Canti's on it. I also find myself look at a ton of new frame sets with canti's on them, probably because I do not want to get a set of disc wheels to make the transition.

Your buyer exists, but we are a rare breed.

[daker13]

I set up BMC monster cross with canti brakes. I was kind of a neophyte, so I guess I did it because I didn't think I could have gotten proper clearance with v brakes (and I have several pairs of nice v brakes around here); in retrospect, probably a mistake. I now remember how much trouble I had with canti brakes in the 90s--hated 'em, just don't 'get it.' Maybe an hour watching Youtube videos would cure this? I had to impose upon a forum member to help me with the set up, and I still am a bit clueless.

[chiasticon]

not dead, but yeah it's a niche within a niche. I still prefer 'em to discs and have no desire to "upgrade" to discs any time soon.

if it'll cheer you up, here's a thread of some people stating their love for cantis (and some saying they suck, of course): http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=201962

anyway, where's a link to your lobster?

[thwart]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

totally....dude

Tee hee.

A laugh is always a good way to start the day.

[El Chaba]

It's not like they are going to stop working because somebody invented discs....Carry on!

[Dead Man]

I still see plenty of canti bikes out on the local cyclocross course.. probably even 50/50 split between disc/canti, at this point? I actually went back to canti from disc, this last cross season.. was just really unimpressed with disc, and a good deal on a lighter and stiffer and overall better handling setup came up, with cantis.. I jumped on it.

Disc really pissed me off in the sand... constant grinding and dragging, once sand got all up in the caliper.

[MattTuck]

Originally Posted by happycampyer

Over the last five or so years, the "all road" or "gravel bike" category has taken off, and in the last several years in particular has shifted heavily towards disc brakes. Just take a look at the thread "show me your gravel bikes" from the beginning to end to see the progression over the term of that thread.

Interesting... like a geologist peeling back the layers of dirt to find different eras of the history, so this forum serves as a repository for the evolution of bikes.

[Frikki]

I have a bike that has a disc brake on the front, and canti on the back.
I would characterize the difference between the two thus:

The cantis are a friendly suggestion slow down, maybe just a little
The disc brakes (mechanical) are an instant, if a little shuddery stop (mostly because I'm too lazy to adjust them)

Not to say that I wasn't perfectly happy on canti as a kid, but having frontrow seats on both, I can answer your question as "yes, yes they are obsolete, except maybe as some sort of fashion statement"

[tuscanyswe]

Originally Posted by Frikki

I have a bike that has a disc brake on the front, and canti on the back.
I would characterize the difference between the two thus:

The cantis are a friendly suggestion slow down, maybe just a little
The disc brakes (mechanical) are an instant, if a little shuddery stop (mostly because I'm too lazy to adjust them)

Not to say that I wasn't perfectly happy on canti as a kid, but having frontrow seats on both, I can answer your question as "yes, yes they are obsolete, except maybe as some sort of fashion statement"

And that has nothing to do with the disc beeing on the front right .)