Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Cantilever brake question
#1
I recently installed new Shimano CT91M cantilever brakes to replace old CT90's. The brakes seem to work fine, however when I depress the brake lever slowly one pad hits the rim before the other pad. Once I depress the brake lever a bit more both pads engage and press the rim and stop the wheel. When the lever is released both arms of the brake retract to about the same position without a problem (in other words it seems to be centered properly). Is this normal for a cantilever brake (for one pad to hit the rim before the other)?
Thanks,
Matt
  Reply
#2
There are centering screws on the sides of the arms.
Check out Alex's tutorial video - it's near the end where he shows adjusting the screws.
You may have to do other adjustments first before centering?
Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#3
(03-31-2011, 02:41 PM)cyclerUK Wrote:  There are centering screws on the sides of the arms.
Check out Alex's tutorial video - it's near the end where he shows adjusting the screws.
You may have to do other adjustments first before centering?

I didn't actually measure the distance of each pad from the rim, but by sight it seems pretty much centered. I've also adjusted the screw you're referring to. It's just that when I depress the brake lever one side starts moving towards the rim before the other. It's not really a centering issue. It's a bit hard to explain...
  Reply
#4
Probably the side that stays still has a tiny bit more friction on post or the cable routing resists it moving as easily. I'd double check to make sure everything is moving smoothly. But if so, this won't create a problem and isn't unusual. With two independent moving parts, it's hard to get everything moving exactly the same. But it won't affect brake operation in any way I can think of.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
First long distance ride..
Yesterday 09:06 PM
How often check or change mechanical dis...
Yesterday 08:59 PM
Pre Ride Food Intake
Yesterday 07:22 AM
New Member
Yesterday 07:20 AM
Attack // Force tire style narrow front ...
Yesterday 12:27 AM
Pros & Cons of presta valve vs schrader ...
Yesterday 12:16 AM
1987 Tommaso Alloy lugged frame
06-18-2025 09:05 PM
Thoughts on paceline riding
06-18-2025 09:56 AM
Wearable Fitness Trackers
06-18-2025 08:23 AM
1999 Schwinn Searcher LE
06-17-2025 11:57 AM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
18 posts
no avatar 2. rydabent
18 posts
no avatar 3. Criminal
18 posts
no avatar 4. Flowrider
17 posts
no avatar 5. SPINMAN
13 posts