Changing brakes

[13 rider]

My mate has a carrea cyclecross bike with what I call centre pull were the cable pulls two other cables. He does not get on with them and wants to change them to Shimano 105 calipers .Is it as simple of just fitted the new calipers I presume existing levers will be ok

 

[outlash]

You're talking about Cantilever brakes. Just be aware that if he switches them over to calipers (if he has the correct mounts for them), that tyre clearance will be limited to road tyres. What levers has he got?

 

[13 rider]

You're talking about Cantilever brakes. Just be aware that if he switches them over to calipers (if he has the correct mounts for them), that tyre clearance will be limited to road tyres. What levers has he got?

Shimana sora sti levers . he also plans to swap tyres from 38,mm to 32mm so clearance should be ok

 

[outlash]

Sora STI's should be fine. I'd check that a) the bike has the correct mounts, b) the drop length of the calipers is long enough for the pads to the rims, you might have to buy long drop calipers to get the correct length. Tyre size will be determined on clearance, I don't think you can get wider than 25's under 105 calipers.

 

[Citius]

Changes pads, or switch to better quality cantis first. Unlikely 105 calipers will fit anyway - not because the tyres will be too wide (although they will be), but because there are probably no mounts for them...

 

[ChrisEyles]

In my experience, canti brakes are usually more powerful than caliper brakes if they're set up well (which can be a bit of a fiddle). So a change of pads is definitely worth trying. Another alternative would be to fit MTB style vee brakes, which I'd expect to be better again.

Also, remember you can change the mechanical advantage of canti brakes by moving the "button" up and down to change the angle of the two diagonal cables. Have a look on sheldon brown's website here: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cantilever-geometry.html

 

[13 rider]

Thanks for all the replies . Just got mate to check frame and there is now rear mount so plan out of the window of to look at Sheldon .

 

[MichaelW2]

Changing tyre width does not affect brake geometry, If you have a brake hole in the seatstay bridge the critical dimension is the drop from centre of hole to the rim. You can get caliper brakes in std and deep drop.
Carerra CX often use Tektro Oryx cantilever brakes which are OK. Setup is critical, getting the mechanical advantage to suit the brake. Some systems use a "button" style cable, others a separate straddle cable. If using the later, you MUST fit a catching device in case of main cable breakage. A loose straddle cable will grip the tyre with immediate results. Use mudguards or a reflector mount to hold a loose straddle cable safely off the tyre.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Mini V's might be the way to go.