Re: [CR] brake lever-caliper question

(Example: Humor:John Pergolizzi)

Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 10:53:04 -0700
From: "Fred Rednor" <fred_rednor@yahoo.com>
To: Classic Rendevous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, Tom Hayes <hayesbikes@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <779093150910040711hf0c0dc1t437162962b0b29d5@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [CR] brake lever-caliper question


> I have been trying to set up Suntour > cantilever brakes with Suntour Superbe > levers on an early eighties Holdsworth. No > matter what i change or adjust, I > come out with an unsatisfactory or unacceptable > result. The brake levers > squish into the handlebars and do not snap back > into place; they only > sluggishly return to the front most position. > I have changed ferrules, > cable housing, increased tension on the spring > mounting without getting the > brakes to operate as one needs. As a last > resort, I have thought perhaps > the levers are inappropriate for the cantilevers, > like they have too much > pull or something like that. Anyone have any > suggestions as to what I might > be missing in setting this up? Or why I > continue to get the squish instead > of the snap? > Tom,

I'm not familiar with those brakes or levers, but the only time I've had similar problems setting up cantilevers was when I was experimenting with the length of the yoke cable.

I found that I was getting better braking with a longer yoke cable, but if I made it too long, the lever would hit the handlebars before full braking force was applied.

So as an experiment, you might try the reverse, if you haven't already. That is, use the shortest yoke cable length possible - and if it improves the situation, lengthen slightly until the negative affects are visible.

Best regards,
Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia (USA)