Can anyone identify these brakes?

[Andy in Germany]

These are on a bike in my storeroom and I've never seen them before.

They appear to be early cantilever brakes, using parts (and possibly pivots?) from centre pull arch brakes. If it's possible to find spares I think it would be worth restoring the bike if I have the time.

Anyone have any ideas? Just the name would be handy so I know what to search for.

 

[Jameshow]

Could I don't want to live any longer brakes!🤔🤣🤔🤣

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Cantilever brakes.

 

[MichaelW2]

Companies such as Resillion were making high quality cantilver brakes in 1930s. The ones you have are just cheap and nasty. Pair them with suicide levers for the authentic adrenaline rush experience.

 

[palinurus]

I've never seen a canti setup quite like that before, is the 'straddle wire' actually a rigid bit of metal?

I'm not sure what you would need to search for to find them but perhaps it would be best not to! If the frame fittings would take a centre pull brake or a better quality canti brake then that would be preferable.

 

[T4tomo]

I've never seen a canti setup quite like that before, is the 'straddle wire' actually a rigid bit of metal?

I'm not sure what you would need to search for to find them but perhaps it would be best not to! If the frame fittings would take a centre pull brake or a better quality canti brake then that would be preferable.

agree. there must play in the system from that fixed wire and the arms / leverage is quite short. I doubt that even fully restored they would give much stopping power. bin the brakes.

if it doesn't have proper mounting posts for better canti's then bin the frame too.

 

[Ian H]

I haven't seen cantilever brakes as crudely designed as those before. I suppose that, with an effective straddle-wire and descent blocks, they should be okay. With chrome rims you're not going to stop that quickly anyway.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I've never seen a canti setup quite like that before, is the 'straddle wire' actually a rigid bit of metal?

I'm not sure what you would need to search for to find them but perhaps it would be best not to! If the frame fittings would take a centre pull brake or a better quality canti brake then that would be preferable.

I haven't seen a canti set up like that one either, the rider might be better off putting his feet down.

 

[Cycleops]

You might be able to get them to work but they'll never be very good, especially with the chrome rims in the wet. Looks like you don't have any alternative as the rear bridge doesn't have a drilling for calipers.
One for the parts bin?

 

[Poacher]

Nice mudguards though.

 

[Jameshow]

But the wire is simply hooked under the cantilevers???
So any loss of pressure and off it pops not funny down a hill!!

 

[Ian H]

By the way, one small point - the front brake as photographed has the open end of the shoe pointing forwards, ready to eject the block on application of the brake (assuming it can muster sufficient friction).

The block does appear to be leather-faced, intended for chrome rims.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Thanks for the responses.

That's a shame, as it's a venerable Motobecane small frame/wheeled touring bike. I was hoping that if I could deal with the brakes I could probably sell it.

And yes, the blocks are half ejected as it is, in some cases.

It may go out as a fixer-upper.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Looks like the wire hooks over the canti, hence why it’s a large bore solid wire rather than lots of twisted strands. Looks a bit like something made from coat hanger wire .

Fix it up from leather sole of old shoes and a coat hanger 😬

 

[fossyant]

I'd call that 'instant death' should you need to stop !