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


Replacing cantilever brakes with linear pull brakes
#1
Does anyone have any experience replacing cantilever brakes with linear pull units? I have an older mountain bike that I want to update to more current components and I'm wondering how feasible it is to put new linear pull brakes on in place of the original cantilever ones. Also, I was once told that if a bike has linear pull brakes it is not possible to mount fenders. I can see that maybe some fenders can't be mounted, but not any fenders?
  Reply
#2
should not be much of a problem with the brakes as long as you have v-brake compatible levers. if your levers and shifters are one unit you would have to change the shifters also
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
  Reply
#3
Check out: http://forums.bikeride.com/thread-2920.html

As PK noted, you need levers that are compatible with linear pull brakes, because their cable travel is longer.

Fenders - not a problem, unless you have extraordinarily large tires. Linear pull brakes do not have any less clearance than side pulls, center pulls or dual pivots. Any tire under 50mm should work with fenders and linear pull brakes.
Nigel
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
New to the Forum - Introduction
Today 05:38 PM
Would you like a pizza after cycling?
Today 02:10 AM
Hardtail as only bike?
Yesterday 05:23 PM
Spoke Count Preference
Yesterday 09:17 AM
Pros & Cons of presta valve vs schrader ...
Yesterday 03:34 AM
Are you mainly into Mountain Biking, Roa...
Yesterday 02:20 AM
New around here
07-11-2026 10:53 AM
Favorite MTB brand?
07-10-2026 03:16 AM
29"front & 26" rear? Thoughts?
07-10-2026 03:13 AM
suspicious broken part after service--is...
07-09-2026 02:45 PM

[-]
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
27 posts
no avatar 2. meamoantonio
17 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
17 posts
no avatar 4. ReapThaWhirlwind
15 posts
no avatar 5. Mr. Beanz
13 posts