Best cantilever for classic (65mm) cantilever bosses

[Epicus07]

Hey Guys,

Unfortunately my new Paul cantilever brakes can't accommodate a narrow setup (65mm between bosses). Are there any modern brakes that will work for this? It seems like my only options are vintage shimano (not super excited about this) or super expensive Rene Herse cantilevers.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Appreciate your collective wisdom.

[Ken Robb]

So, do I understand that your fork legs are too close together for the Pauls to work because they are not adjustable in/out for pad distance from the rim? When you say old Shimano would work is it because their pad holders have rods that fit into an eyelet on the arm so the pads can be moved in/out relative to the rim?

[jr59]

Not that I’m aware of. Your options are limited. You can try to send the fork to a frame builder and have them moved, but that doesn’t always work either, or find a new fork, or use a long reach brake.

[tctyres]

Shimano CX50's and CX70's will work fine.

[Epicus07]

Any hope of something like the TRP CX8.4 working?

[donevwil]

As mentioned already, find cantilevers that use post mount pads. I had an old CX bike with 68mm spacing and successfully ran Suntour XC-Pros and stock pads. You can add Kool Stop thinline pads for additional room if needed.

Most old higher end cantilevers are better than any canti offered today IMO, with the internal spring Suntours being the cream of the crop. Here are some on ebay for a steal.

[jr59]

Originally Posted by donevwil

As mentioned already, find cantilevers that use post mount pads. I had an old CX bike with 68mm spacing and successfully ran Suntour XC-Pros and stock pads. You can add Kool Stop thinline pads for additional room if needed.

Most old higher end cantilevers are better than any canti offered today IMO, with the internal spring Suntours being the cream of the crop. Here are some on ebay for a steal.

I forgot those, and yes they work better than any other I have tried. And yes that’s a deal

[jr59]

Originally Posted by Epicus07

Any hope of something like the TRP CX8.4 working?

Nope

[ColonelJLloyd]

Dia Compe 981-983 should be a good choice. Kool Stop Thinlines offer additional clearance.

[Epicus07]

Thanks guys. Looks like i'll be picking up those Suntour XCs.

[donevwil]

Originally Posted by Epicus07

Thanks guys. Looks like i'll be picking up those Suntour XCs.

Just so you know, the stock pads on these are "meh" at best, a far cry from modern compounds or salmon Kool Stops. May be fine for you, may not be, just don't assume it's the brakes themselves if you're less than impressed.

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by tctyres

Shimano CX50's and CX70's will work fine.

Yep, and the old school type with the unthreaded posts reportedly work too.

[Epicus07]

Originally Posted by donevwil

Just so you know, the stock pads on these are "meh" at best, a far cry from modern compounds or salmon Kool Stops. May be fine for you, may not be, just don't assume it's the brakes themselves if you're less than impressed.

Yeah, I assumed that would be the case. Even if the vintage compounds were decent, I'm not sure what 25 years of aging would do to them.

[sg8357]

Originally Posted by tctyres

Shimano CX50's and CX70's will work fine.

CX-70s are the answer, they use road pads too.

[zennmotion]

I had a similar issue with an older CX frame with close-mounted seatstay and fork bosses. Tektro CR720s were the solution after trying quite a few. They're inexpensive but really quite nice brakes and the wide profile, adjustable transverse cable and MTB pad style allows for different thickness brake pads and mounting distances from the rims. I'm confident they'll work well for you. The stock pads suck though, replace with Kool stops.