cantilever hanger

Studiocat said:

My bike currently has a cantilever brake system that routes through the stem, acting as a hanger for the front cable. Fairly common I guess.

I bought a new stem, but it doesn't have a system for hanging the cable. Should I be seeking out a cable hanger, or replacing the lever and brakes with linear pull? I'm not sure how much of my brake "lameness" is due to maladjustment or to the nature of cantilever systems overall. My instincts tell me that fixing up my cantilever system might be polishing a terd, but it's just my city beater, so I don't want to spend much.

There is nothing wrong with cantilever brakes -- probably 99% of those who ride CycloCross/CX use cantilever brake calipers on their CX bikes.

A cable hanger will probably cost you between $4US-and-$10US, depending on your LBS & the type of stem/steerer your bike has ...

OR, you could drill a SMALL hole in your new stem ...

OR, not change the old stem to the new one!

If you have a threaded steerer, you could certainly fabricate your own hanger from some "scrap" steel (you know, that old computer case that you-or-buddy hasn't tossed out, yet) or aluminum ... you'll need a drill, some files, and a lot of time.

Why did you buy a new stem?

BTW. If you switch to V-brakes, in addition to the calipers, you'll need new brake levers, too.

alfeng said:

There is nothing wrong with cantilever brakes -- probably 99% of those who ride CycloCross/CX use cantilever brake calipers on their CX bikes.

A cable hanger will probably cost you between $4US-and-$10US, depending on your LBS & the type of stem/steerer your bike has ...

OR, you could drill a SMALL hole in your new stem ...

OR, not change the old stem to the new one!

If you have a threaded steerer, you could certainly fabricate your own hanger from some "scrap" steel (you know, that old computer case that you-or-buddy hasn't tossed out, yet) or aluminum ... you'll need a drill, some files, and a lot of time.

Why did you buy a new stem?

BTW. If you switch to V-brakes, in addition to the calipers, you'll need new brake levers, too.

Thanks for the reply. Point taken about cantilevers. For some reason I thought that cantilevers were slowly being phased out because linear pull is a better design.

I will likely end up looking for a cable hanger if that's the cheapest solution. I bought a new stem because the geometry is wrong for me, and the current stem is not adjustable.

Its a threaded headset and a 1" quill stem.

Cheers
Adam

Many/most cantilever hangers require slotted thread on your steerer tube. If you are buying a hanger, make sure that you choose the appropriate type for your steerer.
Why did you need a new stem?