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
Where to travel on a bike Bucket List.
Today 10:33 AM
Cycling is Anti-Aging, But There's a Cat...
Yesterday 10:50 AM
eBikes are banned in these places!
Yesterday 10:45 AM
The Raoming Radrunner Vlog 26 The Gre...
02-12-2025 11:31 AM
What are the pros and cons of clip-on pe...
02-12-2025 02:20 AM
Tubeless vs. tubes: What are the pros an...
02-12-2025 02:18 AM
Newbie
02-11-2025 11:34 PM
With several methods of shipping being p...
02-11-2025 04:12 PM
Close call yesterday! Why are brakes not...
02-11-2025 07:01 AM
E-Bikes: The Game-Changer for Cyclists
02-11-2025 01:33 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. Flowrider
20 posts
no avatar 2. SPINMAN
15 posts
no avatar 3. meamoantonio
14 posts
no avatar 4. GirishH
14 posts
no avatar 5. enkei
10 posts