I am building up a Fuji Cross bike and need to buy some cantilever brakes. I almost bought a set of Avid Shorty's at a bike swap yesterday until a guy came up to me and said "don't buy those, they are crap". He said he messengered on them for a couple of years and they were poor quality, broke often, and there were issues with the springs. I thought the Avids were the industry standard for canti's. On the other had, it's just one guys opinion.
Anyway, are there any other relatively inexpensive canti brakes that people like here? I may also consider running v-brakes with Travel Agents but not sure if that is a good setup?? I will be running Shimano STi shifter/brake levers. Thanks

they're more trouble than you need. the avids are okay but youll need to find alternate pads if squealing brakes bother you. I ran them for a couple years and while I wouldn't say they're crap-theyre loud. they worked well enough though. Im using some old xtr's right now with kool stop pads, no complaints on that combo. if youre looking for cheap maybe find some LX or XT cantis, I've seen them for dirt cheap money lately.

they're more trouble than you need. the avids are okay but youll need to find alternate pads if squealing brakes bother you. I ran them for a couple years and while I wouldn't say they're crap-theyre loud. they worked well enough though. Im using some old xtr's right now with kool stop pads, no complaints on that combo. if youre looking for cheap maybe find some LX or XT cantis, I've seen them for dirt cheap money lately.


Thanks for the response. Any idea where to find LX or XT canti's? Are they still made or would I be looking for used/NOS?

Thanks for the response. Any idea where to find LX or XT canti's? Are they still made or would I be looking for used/NOS?

no longer made, though shimano's got a canti on the market this year. I've no experience with that one though and it costs as much or more than the avids. check the usual places for NOS or used stuff-bike swaps/ebay/rec.bicycle newsgroup/rbr&mtbr.com marktplc, etc. If you're not in a hurry and you like red Ive got a set of ritchey logic cantis I bought for the levers en route Id sell cheap. Id take shimanos over them though based on my experience. gotta be loads of them in SF, assuming your in SF.

and if your login is accurate, I'm in Menlo Park on the peninsula.

Don't go the travel agent route. I have v's on my SS and tried to use them w/ new cables. PAIN IN THE A$$, too much complication. However, if you're interested, I have 2 for sale, one is new/unopened, the other, I tried to install but gave up. I ended up getting some Dia Compe 287V's for my bullhorns.

For the canti's I have these tektros available in green, if interested.

Lot's of good deals on canti's out there. Check ebay and craigslist. I've heard that the LX's were pretty solid. I bought a used IF Planet X and it uses even lower end Alivios. They were horrible until I moved to salmon Kool Pads. Those are the shiznit and the Alivios are doing the job quite well on the steep singletrack.

I wouldn't be that concerned w/ the Avid Shorty's. My buddy runs them on his Salsa Las Cruces w/ no issues. Might be even easier if use find canti's that take vbrake pads or canti's w/ easy adjustment. The Alivio's are tricky, had to have the shop adjust them.

I wouldn't be that concerned w/ the Avid Shorty's. My buddy runs them on his Salsa Las Cruces w/ no issues. Might be even easier if use find canti's that take vbrake pads or canti's w/ easy adjustment.

Don't get the 4's. Buy the 6's or 8's (also called Ti). I have a pair of the 8's and they stop on a dime. Sometimes I get squealing on high speed braking but I haven't fiddled with them to adjust toe nor have I switched pads to a more silent variety.

Plus, the squeal gets people nervous as you set up to smoke them coming out of a corner.

Fair enough comment about the 4's.

Like the comment about the squeal. I think it bothers others more than the actual rider. Heck, the squeal is a lot lighter than carrying a bell to ask others to move out of the way...

they're more trouble than you need. the avids are okay but youll need to find alternate pads if squealing brakes bother you. I ran them for a couple years and while I wouldn't say they're crap-theyre loud. they worked well enough though. Im using some old xtr's right now with kool stop pads, no complaints on that combo. if youre looking for cheap maybe find some LX or XT cantis, I've seen them for dirt cheap money lately.

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. I bought some NOS XT canti's, what do you guys think of these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3684257048&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:US:6

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. I bought some NOS XT canti's, what do you guys think of these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3684257048&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:US:6

Solid, dependable design. I like brakes that can take cartridge (V style) pads since I go through them during the winter (wet season). Get some Kool Stop Salmon pads for them and you'll be stylin'.