Why do they call brakes...

[Zen]

cantilever when they used to be called center pull
and
caliper when they used to be called side pull?

[Wahine]

I have no clue.

But I'm interested.

[DebW]

There are sidepull and centerpull caliper brakes. Cantilever brakes are not caliper brakes. Cantilever brakes and centerpull caliper brakes share the same cable hangers and cable routing, but the brakes themselves are different. Calipers are the solid arms that cross each other and pivot together to squeeze the rims. Cantilever brakes have 2 separate pieces that mount to the frame and attach to the cables independently. In the 70s, centerpull caliper brakes were generally better than sidepull caliper brakes. Then sidepulls became better and centerpull caliper brakes were discontinued. If you need a picture of a centerpull caliper brake I can photograph the Universal No. 66 brakes on my old frame, but it may be 1-2 weeks before I can post it.

[smilingcat]

center pull caliper OMG

So '70s...

Smilingcat

[jobob]

Here are a few examples of the different types of brakes that Deb described.
(Sorry, crummy photos, but hopefully they'll get the point across.)

These are cantilever brakes, on Lee's Atlantis:



These are centerpull brakes, on Lee's Saluki, which used to be my Saluki:



These are "regular reach" sidepull brakes, on my Riv, Dusty:



And these are "long reach" sidepull brakes, on my Romulus, Pokey. Pokey used to have regular reach sidepull brakes, but then I switched from 700c wheels to the slightly smaller-diameter 650B wheels (for better clearance for larger tires + fenders), so the long-reach sidepull brakes accomodate the longer distance between the wheel rims and the brake mounts.

[SadieKate]

Centerpull Mafac's on a 1976 Bob Jackson Lady's Lightweight mixte that yellow just adopted from my stable. The brakes are not original to the bike. Maybe early 80s? Late 70s? Haven't a clue. They came from that LBS called our garage. "Bobby" should be arriving at her new home in Yewtah today.

[Tuckervill]

I'm pretty sure the John Deere Racer, which had all it's original parts before we rebuilt it (and we reused the calipers) is circa 1972.

I win!

Karen
p.s. Almost done with it--as soon as we get the bar tape on, and the stem replaced (he lost the wedge for the original stem and the one put in is too long) I'll post a picture.

[DebW]

Centerpull Mafac's on a 1976 Bob Jackson Lady's Lightweight mixte that yellow just adopted from my stable. The brakes are not original to the bike. Maybe early 80s? Late 70s? Haven't a clue. They came from that LBS called our garage. "Bobby" should be arriving at her new home in Yewtah today.

I know that brake well. Had them on my first 10 speed in 1972, and worked on hundreds (thousands?) of those in the shop in the 70s. They always squeal like a banshee, but they stop very well.

[Wahine]

Thanks for this info ladies. I don't do a lot of bike mech stuff, but I do a little and theis really helped me understand the brake thing better.