Old centre pull/cantilver question.

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Cavalol

Legendary Member
Location
Chester
Afternoon, all.

I have an old tandem (possibly 1980s) and I can't get the front brake to work properly. The off side arm sits fine and goes back into position when the brake is released, the nearside moves fine if the cables aren't attached, but stays in the 'brakes on' position (i.e rubbing on the rim) when the cable is attached. Ive replaced the main brake cable inner as well as the shorter cable between the arms, centralised the hanger and adjusted the cable tension, but still no joy.

Photos show the last attempt and clearly the main cable is now kinked, and the central short one needs better ends. I have noticed the brake adjusting screw is missing though, so assuming it can be replaced, would that then mean the nearside brake could be set to release when cable attached?

Also, are there whole front brake replacements available still new? I've found sone mountain bike ones but.they would spoil the originality.

Thanks in advance, sorry if they seem daft questions!

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Punkawallah

Veteran
I largely skipped cantilever brakes. Do have center pull brakes on my Galaxy, but never had that problem. Had it on ‘V’ brakes, where tension screws needed adjusting. My ‘go to’ would be to dismantle, clean, grease and re-assemble before doing anything drastic. Could the cable securing device (word) at the bridge cable be fouling the action?
 
OP
OP
Cavalol

Cavalol

Legendary Member
Location
Chester
I largely skipped cantilever brakes. Do have center pull brakes on my Galaxy, but never had that problem. Had it on ‘V’ brakes, where tension screws needed adjusting. My ‘go to’ would be to dismantle, clean, grease and re-assemble before doing anything drastic. Could the cable securing device (word) at the bridge cable be fouling the action?

Thank you. I got a spared (used) cable securing device, I'll try that first and use a new cable, then disassemble the bakes and clean and grease. I take it more modern brakes would fit ok? As a last resort they'd do, as whether they looked original or not, working ones are surely better!
 

Big John

Legendary Member
It looks like you've got missing adjuster screws on both calipers. If that's the case you could do with finding a couple. Makes life a little bit easier with cantilever brakes. I have them on two bikes I regularly ride and those screws are a godsend.
 

T4tomo

Legendary Member
Echo the above, the adjuster screws are vital to balancing the brakes, without them your farked.
Re it staying in the on position, is the tension / return spring in the correct place?
 
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