Brakes ~ centerpull vs. sidepull

[Triskeliongirl]

Centerpull have more clearance for wide tires and fenders, and have stronger braking power, but you have to be sure to use compatable brake levers. Side pull are easier to adjust. I have centerpull cantis on my touring bike and sidepulls on my racing bike. To use centerpull cantis, your bike has to have appropriate mounts, so I am not sure it is a choice.

[uforgot]

What if the centerpulls aren't cantis? My mixte has Weinmann centerpulls that aren't cantis. Is there also more fender clearance then or are they just old style brakes that have given way to the newer sidepull?

[sandra]

What if you don't know what cantis are?

[uforgot]

What if you don't know what cantis are?

Wikipedia is your friend.

[uforgot]

Better cantilever pics.

[Mr. Bloom]

Wikipedia is your friend.

This is turning out to be true on many topics...

[boy in a kilt]

Centerpulls were fairly popular up to about the mid-80's. Then they sort of fell out of favor.

They have some of the same advantages as cantis (good clearance both ways), but use the same mounts as side pulls.

[DebW]

In the 70s you could get both centerpull and sidepull caliper brakes. The sidepulls were cheaper and didn't work as well as centerpulls. Then they started making sidepulls that were superior to centerpulls. So it really depends on the brake design and quality. Cantis have always been the brake of choice for touring with a loaded bike.