I have this style of brake, I believe it's a centre pull brake. I want to fit a pannier rack but the one I have doesn't fit because of this brake style. Is it easy to swap it out for a different style? Or should I look for a different pannier rack? I don't know much about bikes yet, my husband knows a bit but he's often busy and I like learning to do things myself.
(Note: the bike is quite old and rides will enough, I use it to commute a short distance most days, it's not in the best nick but it does the job.)
by littlemamaUK
13 Comments
These callipers are called cantilever brakes – you could replace for V-brake callipers which in my opinion are better brakes and more beginner friendly to setup however they would require different brake levers to work properly also if you did go down that route you’d bee needing to replace the cables at which point you’re likely to exceed the value of a replacement rack and end up with much more work on your hands – if you want to learn I’d say go for it – if you just want a rack that works I wouldn’t bother
You may be able to fit v brakes. They’re cheap and easy enough to fit, yes
I wouldn’t say it is difficult if you want to put in the time to learn via YouTube etc.Doing projects like this will also make you more confident in bike repairs and ready to take on longer rides or tours. I personally haven’t switched from cantilever brakes on my old MTB because I have combined levers for brakes and shifting and vbrakes requier different cable pull. I would have to buy vbrakes as well as separate shift levers and brake levers.
Alternatively, you could bring the bike to a shop or coop and see if there’s a rear rack that works with those breaks.
Yes. V-brakes are easy to set up and so much better than those cantilever brakes you have now.
These are Cantilever brakes and shouldn’t necessarily interfere with a rear rack as the struts will go to the mounts either side of the outside of the seat stays. So yeah, long and short of it is get a rack and try it first, I think it will be ok.
https://preview.redd.it/u17gosw5u8bf1.jpeg?width=1163&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d370befbf0f1cbf8797dc53bc6baa2d22d1659e9
https://youtu.be/PMyVtWzeuBA?si=Rx3j61htOaKZBUEu
Watch this and decide for yourself. I think it’s medium difficulty. Adjusting cantis and better pads usually improve them. But I get it that you want to swap them for the rack
Yeah it’s quite easy, but you should be able to keep using the cantis you already have, cant see how a rack would interfere with it.
You should be able to fit a rack with those brakes. Can you post a pic of the rack you have?
I’d expect to be able to fit a rack with those brakes because they are kind of out of the way of the strut mounting points, can you post a photo of the rack? It would be much cheaper to get the rack fitted with these brakes so I’d try to work around that first.
V-brakes aren’t hard to fit and are better with with an old bike like that designed for cantilever brakes like you have, but the cable stops on the frame might not be right so you might have to buy a clamp on cable stop or run continuous outer cable to the back brake. You’ll also need new levers designed for v-brakes, if your current levers and gear shifters are combined then you’ll have to replace the whole lot.
Search for some videos on converting cantilever to v-brakes. Perfectly doable, but some fettling may be required, and a learning process, which as you say, you are quite prepared for.
No reason a rack shouldn’t fit, you might need to shorten the cable between the two brake arms. This would also significantly increase the mechanical advantage of the brakes, making them work much, much better.
Properly set up cantilever brakes are wonderful.
How does the rack mount that these interfere–does it mount to the two threaded sections mounted to the seatstays, the single hole between the seatstays, clamps to the stays, r something else? I’d expect modifying the rack to be easier than changing out brakes.
https://preview.redd.it/j8wd35pk99bf1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=0f11c4c34a41f5650a4e91221a59e6973b09320a
The pannier in question.
That’s cantilever brakes. Centre pull might be confused with certain road specific brakes by Dia-compe and Campy.