Suntour XC Pro vs Shimano (Brakes)

[ibbz]

I've a question regarding cantilever brakes and levers.
How do the Suntour XC Pro compare to the XT M73x ?

Are the XC Pro high end in build and performance (how about looks as I've never seen any in the flesh as it were)

(My Dynatech needs some canti's to replace the V brakes)

 

[legrandefromage]

You are thinking too much. Its all about leverage. Doesnt matter about brand names, if they are not set up properly, all cantis are shite.

Later 'low pro' stuff doesnt work as well as the wider angled stuff - my Dawes runs original MT60, combined with the big levers and the absurdly long straddle cable and it performs as well as a cable disc brake without the snatcheyness of v-brakes. It has to be seen to be believed. So many people dismiss cantilevers because they are awkward, they are difficult to set up when v's are easy.

Clean pads, clean rims, experiment with straddle cable length and go from there. Once you hit the right ingredients they'll work well.

My personal favourite:

 

[FluffyChicken]

For me the XT super low profile with the SLR+ levers are far better than the Suntour efforts.
Without the SLR+ levers i.e. servowave, then they are much the same. I find shimanos easier to set up. Suntours newer style circa 93 look better.

It'll be down to personal opinion on lever feel. Brake blocks make the biggest difference in either setup.

 

[ibbz]

thanks guys, things are clearer.
Fluffy, do you have any pics of the levers and brakes you mentioned?

And would new Avid cycle cross type Catilever brakes work on an MTB?

 

[yo-Nate-y]

Ditto what FC said above.

 

[WD Pro]

I didn't realise cantilevers were so difficult to set up until I joined here - no one bothered to tell me prior to that and I never had a problem

Interestingly I set my first set of v's up the other day (XTR). After reading on here they were simple I was quite surprised they took me as long, if not longer than my old canti's ! Weird eh ?!

WD

 

[FluffyChicken]

They are not difficult, but some are a lot more fiddly than others. Vs seem to be a standardised design even between been manufacturers.

The only difference between canti and v is the straddle setup compared to getting a good noodle angle. The general use of bolt on pads on Vs make them a bit less fiddly than the post type.

...as for pictures just use Google image search on the early 90s brakes, or pop into the archive or bikepro website.
The later suntour (from 1993) used a nicer cable routed brake lever, this is the same lever as used by ritchey etc. The older lever points it right into the handlebar.
Cantis are a low profile silver or slightly gold tinted colour but that only from 1993, before that they where as different design, though still smart looking black,

Shimano, I find the br-m735 are a chunky naff looking canti, the m900 (from 1992) are so much nicer. But for a 1990/91 bike they go well. But othere can look nicer.
There is also the later M737 (from 1994) canti, a bit cheap looking but shares a design with the m900.