Cantilever brakes for narrow forks

StephenBeynon
StephenBeynon Posts: 4
edited January 2012 in Road general
I am currently trying to replace the cantilever brakes on my 20 year old Tony Oliver touring frame, but I have found that modern cantilever brakes seem to be designed for much wider forks. The seperation between the centre line of the brake bosses is only 60mm on the front of my frame, and 64mm at the rear.

Can anyone advise me on any brakes that might be suitable ?

An image of the problem can be seen here
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2i99VDbYCM4/TwjmBXHXJeI/AAAAAAAAAOo/B_pPU2xKugE/h301/2012%2B-%2B1

Many thanks

Stephen

Comments

  • one_bad_mofo
    one_bad_mofo Posts: 86
    Is it not simply a case of moving the spacer from inside the cantilever arm to the outside? At least that how it looks to me in the picture.
    Most modern canti brake blocks have one wide spacer and one thin one and you just swap them side for side on the cantilever arm as needed to position the block relative to the rim.
  • StephenBeynon
    StephenBeynon Posts: 4
    The spacers include a rounded end and cup arrangement that gives the adjustment needed to ensure the brake pad is correctly aimed at the rim. It is not possible to get the alignment quite correct without the spacers.
  • pete.whelan
    pete.whelan Posts: 788
    Try Tektro CR520 brakes e.g. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=34582

    With narrow forks, you also need to make sure your rims aren't too wide either. A traditional touring rim may well be too wide
    Recipe: shave legs sparingly, rub in embrocation and drizzle with freshly squeezed baby oil.
  • one_bad_mofo
    one_bad_mofo Posts: 86
    Okay a quick bit of Googling brought this up - http://www.diatechproducts.com/download ... #canecreek. On this page if you go to "SCX-5 CANTI LEVER BRAKE" and click on the Chinese lettering to the right of the page you can dopwnload the user manual for your brakes. You'll then see what I mean about the spacers/concave washers. :wink:
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    If you can't get the Cane Creeks to work and need something narrower, then a brake that uses a post-mounted brake shoe like a Frogleg or TRP EuroX clone might be your only option.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • StephenBeynon
    StephenBeynon Posts: 4
    Thanks for the suggestions, and sorry for not giving any feedback earlier. It has been a manic few weeks at work.

    No matter how I tried to adjust the spacers I could not get the crane creek brakes to fit, but thanks for the link one_bad_mofo. I ordered a set of Tektro CR520, and I was able to get them to fit, but even with these it close to the limit.

    Thanks

    Stephen

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