Rear Cantilever brake install

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DPDISXR4Ti
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Rear Cantilever brake install

Post by DPDISXR4Ti »

I've got a set of early 90's cantilever brakes that I'm trying to move over to my '94 A2E. The challenge I'm faced with is that the rear pivot fitting is designed to be mounted rather than floating. Just wondering if anyone has used this type of setup on one of these frames and how they did it. Here's some pics of the hardware I'm trying to use, as it was mounted on my Crestone Peak VO2Max frame (which cracked).

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Brad

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vpc66
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Re: Rear Cantilever brake install

Post by vpc66 »

I think a simple yoke cable with a rear cable hanger would work fine. The ends are the same, you would just cut out the mount in the center and it would be the same as the other brands make theirs.
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neo_pop_71
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Re: Rear Cantilever brake install

Post by neo_pop_71 »

Everyone was looking to increase the braking power, think downhill racer using 100 year old technology. Your brakes are a good design but limited to that era and that particular frame feature. You can simply get a standard straddle cable and a seat post bolt cable stop like the one Surly makes.

DPDISXR4Ti
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Re: Rear Cantilever brake install

Post by DPDISXR4Ti »

neo_pop_71 wrote:You can simply get a standard straddle cable and a seat post bolt cable stop like the one Surly makes.


This is what you are referring to, yes?

http://www.jensonusa.com/Surly-Brake-Hanger
Brad

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Re: Rear Cantilever brake install

Post by neo_pop_71 »

You got it Brad, that's the one I'm speaking about using. I assume you'll use a standard seat clamp, you'll back the clamp bolt out and insert the Surly hangerin the opening and reinstall the clamp bolt. The hanger is made to dangle but once you have the housing and brake cable installed, it's the perfect upgrade to the silly brake cable donut that came on most 'Cuda frames for the rear canti cable. Plus the additional barrel adjuster is nice to have on top of it being stainless steel, so it'll always look nice. I ran the same hanger on my '88 Schwinn Cimarron LE restoration... a nice clean solution!

DPDISXR4Ti
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Re: Rear Cantilever brake install

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neo_pop_71 wrote:it's the perfect upgrade to the silly brake cable donut that came on most 'Cuda frames for the rear canti cable.


Ah, I was just wondering about that "donut" yesterday - posted a pic of it in this thread where I was raising the same overall topic...

http://forums.mtbr.com/brake-time/moving-early-90s-cantilver-brakes-new-frame-barracuda-a2e-870506.html#post10604467

So on the factory setup the brake housing gets braced there and then has to make a 90-degree turn downward?

Back to the Surly hanger, it would seem it doesn't get clamped per se, but just loops through the clamp bolt and lets the cable housing position it out in the desired direction, yes? No issues with it rattling around on the bolt?
Brad

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Re: Rear Cantilever brake install

Post by DPDISXR4Ti »

Okay, just ordered a straddle cable, carrier, and Surly hanger from Jenson, along with some other stuff I needed. I'll try to remember to come back and update this post w/ pics.
Brad

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Re: Rear Cantilever brake install

Post by neo_pop_71 »

DPDISXR4Ti wrote:
neo_pop_71 wrote:it's the perfect upgrade to the silly brake cable donut that came on most 'Cuda frames for the rear canti cable.


Ah, I was just wondering about that "donut" yesterday - posted a pic of it in this thread where I was raising the same overall topic...

http://forums.mtbr.com/brake-time/moving-early-90s-cantilver-brakes-new-frame-barracuda-a2e-870506.html#post10604467

So on the factory setup the brake housing gets braced there and then has to make a 90-degree turn downward?

Back to the Surly hanger, it would seem it doesn't get clamped per se, but just loops through the clamp bolt and lets the cable housing position it out in the desired direction, yes? No issues with it rattling around on the bolt?


The rear canti brake on these frames is the only gripe point for me! The housing doesn't even get braced, the housing stops a few inches behind the head tube with a cable stop on the top tube, then the fully exposed brake cable runs the length of the top tube and through the donut to eventually pull the brake straddle. It's a lame design that has always bothered me because it feels like an afterthought in the design.

As far as the Surly hanger, once your brakes are hooked up and adjusted there is so much tension on that rear brake cable that the hanger wants to stay in place. The loop on my Cimarron is snug with the seat post in place, there is really no play or slop. For what it's worth, anyone running canti brakes on their Cuda could benefit from the use of the Surly hanger. Please do post pics, it might sell a few of these purists that there is a better solution then stock!
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Re: Rear Cantilever brake install

Post by vpc66 »

Well I know that I'am not part of that group, the only thing I like about the Cuda bike is the frame and always felt that factory setups could stand improvement with aftermarket items, and that goes with more than just bikes. But I must say there are some very nice looking period correct Cuda here, yet I hope to see what you feel the bike should look like as you do rebuild pictures....best wishes on the rebuild!
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neo_pop_71
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Re: Rear Cantilever brake install

Post by neo_pop_71 »

Oh man, I totally agree with you that there are some fabulous period correct bikes in various collections on this site... my gripe with purely a technical performance one and has nothing to do with aesthetics. The idea that running a single cable stop up front and an almost fully exposed brake cable (that's prone to wear and rusting) to a silly little metal ring and then expecting it to perform well with a harsh bend... pretty stupid design!

Look how far around the backside of the seat tube the donut is welded on my A2L, a straight line through the opening points down to the rear derailleur! How can that be the proper angle for a center pull brake? Plus, the angle of the opening set against that interior edge of the donut acts like a razor in stressing and eventually cutting the brake cable... pretty stupid design!

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