cantilevers

[dan1978]

whats the difference between deore dx and lets say exage 500. Is there any advantage in breaking distance or is it just a name thing. And why i'm asking why can't you use canti break levers on V. They look the same to me. Please remember i'm new to this i only wanted to build my old bike up, now i have 3 on the go.

 

[MiniNinjaRob]

whats the difference between deore dx and lets say exage 500. Is there any advantage in breaking distance or is it just a name thing. And why i'm asking why can't you use canti break levers on V. They look the same to me. Please remember i'm new to this i only wanted to build my old bike up, now i have 3 on the go.

The better brakes are generally stiffer and lighter, especially if your Exage 500 are the plasticky models which tend to flex a bit. They'll probably have a nicer finish too on the DX ones.
DX ones are fairly cheap second hand so a good choice for a retrobike as they look smart too.
I would recommend getting some quality new pads for them to make sure the braking is as good as it can be. Also the power will depend a lot on the setup so try to find out the best way of setting them up and experiment to see what you like best.
They'll never be a easy to set up as V brakes though, and if being period correct isn't a consideration then V's may be a better choice.

Although the levers look the same they pull a different amount of cable through when you pull the lever. V's pull more cable so if you try and use canti lever with V brakes you'll find you will probably have to pull the lever to the bar to get any sort of braking, even with the pads set very close to the rim (which isn't ideal anyway, especially in the wet/mud). So you need to match the types together properly. Some levers have adjustable leverage like some Avid SD models, and I've read they can be used for both but I've not tried it personally.

 

[dan1978]

the exage 500 are aluminium and look identical almost. The number is different thats all really. I won't mix and match sometimes i do need to stop. Thanks for your help.

 

[barry2017]

They would be fine. With cantilever brakes, performance is down to setup.

Personally, I hate setting them up. The V brake posts are marvellously easy and quick.

 

[dan1978]

i have been thinking of having xt sti rapids but at the moment i am running modern deore v with retro shimano v sti rapids. They work fine but don't have the same feel as my old dx rapids (snapped one and lost the other). I don't want to compromise on stopping distance.

 

[mvd1974]

...perhaps a little help for the most powerfull set-up...

 

[dan1978]

cheers, i will have to a proper look at that on the computer. Too small on my mobile.

 

[WD Pro]

There have been a few disscussions on canti setup lately, my setup seems to be a bit 'marmite'

WD

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

I like the old non low profile cantis. More powerful than low pros, better mud clearance than Vs.

 

[bluedazzler]

...perhaps a little help for the most powerfull set-up...

the most important factor in setting up cantilevers isnt detailed in your picture.