I've been searching the archives for a specific topic which I have not found. Excuse me if I missed it.
Due to the fact that an auto struck me while riding, ruining the original the fork of my Sam Hillborne (with cantilever studs), I got a replacement fork (Thanks Rivendell!) which didn't have the studs for canti's. Thus, I'm now using Tektro 559 sidepulls, rather than Tektro 720 canti's, which was spec'd on the bike. I've read much about types of brakes, their various attributes, and etc. Some argue cantilevers have more stopping power (greater mechanical advantage) than sidepulls. Some argue side pulls are simple, elegant, and easier to adjust. Some say, racers have been using sidepulls for years, why not me? Others say neither option is the best; centerpull brakes are the way to go. Then, there is the linear pull brake (V brake), which is another type of cantilever, I believe. Not to mention disc brakes, both mechanical and hydraulic.... Although I value statistical analysis (Bike Quarterly), I prefer to hear from people who actually ride certain brakes, and what the like, and dislike. I'm not enough of a tech-minded person to stay with all the detail of mechanics. The question is this: Those of you who have used both cantilevers and sidepulls on a Rivendell frame (especially on a Sam Hill, but any will do, I think), which do you prefer for stopping power (not aesthetics), and why? That is to say, if you were to spec a new bike, and it were a "road" bike, not intended for touring with massive loads but for day rides, multiday tours, even touring any distance with less than 50 pounds, which brakes would you choose, and why? I'm interested in knowing why Rivendell changed their choice of brakes on the stock Sam Hill. from a cantilevered bike to a side pull spec'd bike. Perhaps they save cost in frame production? Perhaps they prefer sidepulls? Perhaps they needed to purchase many of their designed Tektro 559's in order for Tektro to make them? In any case, I'd be curious to hear what folks have to say on the topic. As for myself...I'm still on the fence. I like the sidepull's looks much better. I like the ease of adjustment. I think their stopping power is not as great as the cantilevers - at least compared to my Tektro 720 cantilevers with yokozuma pads. But they're close. Close enough? Depends on how steep the hill, how much weight is on the bike, and etc., of course. In the end, I know it's a very personal choice. Thanks. John -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en-US. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
