Flat bar brake levers more better than drop bar brifters for cantilever brakes?

[Mr Celine]

I don't like the look of V brakes, personally. But that's just me.

Why worry about what they look like? So long as they work and IME they do, and far better than cantis.

 

[C R]

Why worry about what they look like? So long as they work and IME they do, and far better than cantis.

As others have said, cantis can be made to work as well as Vs, but it is a lot more finicky, whereas Vs just work, in my experience.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

As others have said, cantis can be made to work as well as Vs, but it is a lot more finicky, whereas Vs just work, in my experience.

Let’s not mess around, get hydraulic disc brakes 😉

 

[C R]

Let’s not mess around, get hydraulic disc brakes 😉

Why not, if the frame has the mounting points for them, however, I doubt that is the case for the OP.

 

[scotsbikester]

Why worry about what they look like? So long as they work and IME they do, and far better than cantis.

I don't "worry". I just don't like the look of them, personally. Like I said.

 

[scotsbikester]

Why not, if the frame has the mounting points for them, however, I doubt that is the case for the OP.

Which if the poster had bothered to read, is clearly not going to be the case.

 

[scotsbikester]

Thanks to those people who have posted useful replies.

My question wasn't really about whether or not cantilever brakes can be made effective or not. It was about the levers.

But perhaps I wasn't quite clear enough. Maybe I should have missed out the section about what sort of calipers I was talking about.

My question, I suppose, was this:

Given a set of brake calipers (of any type), is braking more effective or positive if the brakes are activated using flat bar levers, as opposed to drop bar "brifters". My feeling is that it is, because one's hands can get a better grip, especially if one has small hands. This feeling is reinforced, to some extent, by the cross top levers I have on my two bikes that have drop bar "brifters" as the primary braking mechanism. It's not about the effectiveness or otherwise of the caliper (of whatever type), but the ease of actuation of the lever - flat bar vs drop bar.

But it is difficult to be certain that this is true, as the cross-tops are secondary levers, and not in the usual hand position that I brake from. I usually just use them to hold the bike when I'm stopped at lights or similar.

And comparisons are difficult, as all the flat bar bikes I have have either V brake calipers or hub roller brakes. I can't do a side by side comparison on a bike with cantilever brakes - first with drops, then with flat bar levers.

So thanks for the help, my course is clear. Set it up with flat bar levers and the cantis, if I don't like it install some V brakes. If I get the levers that do both, maybe something like the Avid Speed dials, which seem to be adjustable, I'll get a chance to try it out. Which is exactly what I did when I was finding the best levers for my BB7s.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Thanks to those people who have posted useful replies. Given a set of brake calipers (of any type), is braking more effective or positive if the brakes are activated using flat bar levers, as opposed to drop bar "brifters". My feeling is that it is, because one's hands can get a better grip, especially if one has small hands.

You don't "like the look of" V brakes.
You include "cantilever brakes" in the title but then say it's not about these brakes.
Your "feeling" is that flat bar levers afford "more effective or positive braking" because you can't "get a grip" with drop bars (cos small hands).
And you seem to want everyone to agree (noone has, sfaics).
With drop bars, if you think serious braking's a possibility (speed/negative gradient), you need to be 'down on the bars' not on the hoods.
On CycleChat thanks are due to "those people who have posted useful" questions, and don't wibble if people have a chat about the subject generally.
You're welcome; and btw way combined brake levers and shifters are STIs (if Shimano or other) and ergos if Campagnolo.

 

[T4tomo]

You can get shorter reach drop bar levers, and most decent modern STIs have a reach adjustment for smaller hands.

Most people can brake just as hard with either type of lever. You only need to pull it hard enough so that the pads hit the rim and slow then halt it's motion
The biggest limitation of any brake system is the 1 penny piece sized patch of tyre in contact with the road.

 

[raleighnut]

If you've got the brake lever set up so that you can ride 'on the hoods' then you'll never get a good enough grip on the lever, it is just too high on the handlebars.

If going for a 3x9 utility bike why not fit butterfly bars with 'flat bar' levers and shifters

 

[C R]

Which if the poster had bothered to read, is clearly not going to be the case.

I think the poster may have been poking at me, and tongue firmly in cheek.

 

[scotsbikester]

You don't "like the look of" V brakes.
You include "cantilever brakes" in the title but then say it's not about these brakes.
Your "feeling" is that flat bar levers afford "more effective or positive braking" because you can't "get a grip" with drop bars (cos small hands).
And you seem to want everyone to agree (noone has, sfaics).
With drop bars, if you think serious braking's a possibility (speed/negative gradient), you need to be 'down on the bars' not on the hoods.
On CycleChat thanks are due to "those people who have posted useful" questions, and don't wibble if people have a chat about the subject generally.
You're welcome; and btw way combined brake levers and shifters are STIs (if Shimano or other) and ergos if Campagnolo.

Thank you so much for your reply. You are completely right in everything you say.