I'm building up a new bike and would like to know weather I need to have some type of special headset if I plan on running cantilever brakes. I would really appretiate the help.

Thanks
m

Nope nothing special in the headset. You can use threadless or threaded you just need to order up the right size cable hangar. It is separate and fits like a spacer but has a cable stop built in. Problem Solvers makes good ones in all styles. Shouldn't cost more than $7-$10.

Or fix a cable hanger to the handlebar stem (to one of the face plate crews).

The 3rd option for your front canti brake housing stop is one that mounts to a hole in your fork crown: http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1805

Here's one on a Redline: http://www.redlinebicycles.com/2008-redline/800/Conquest-Blue-800.jpg

Not all forks have a hole in the crown though.

Some people claim that this type of housing stop can decrease brake chatter.

Anybody drilling a housing sized hole in the top of their stem and a cable sized hole in the bottom of the stem to use that as the stop?

Anybody drilling a housing sized hole in the top of their stem and a cable sized hole in the bottom of the stem to use that as the stop?

If you're building a retro grouch steel lugged cross beauty.

Ugly with the cable housing running over the stem.
I wouldn't recommend drilling in lightweight stems.

Some years ago there were several (quill type) stems with a hanger brazed on the bottom.
A shame that these disappeared.