Cantilevers vs Linear Pulls

Are brake bosses compatible with both cantilever and linear pull brakes? I have a full rigid MTB project that currently has cantis but I want to get a shock fork. Would I still be able to use cantis with a newer shock fork?

Between the two, I prefer cantilever brakes. They are easier for me to set up and maintain. I know there is a dramatic difference in stopping power with linear pulls, but for my kind of off road riding, I'd rather stay with something I feel comfortable with.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on December 17, 2012 at 10:35am

Brakes bosses are the same for v-brakes and cantis. You'll need to have a fork mounted cable hanger if you're using cantis on a suspension fork.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on December 17, 2012 at 10:36am

The same brake bosses work for both canti and linear pull brakes; only u-brakes are different. Many newer shock forks only have disc tabs but if it has brake bosses on it for rim brakes it should work.

Actually a properly set up canti can match the stopping power of a linear pull but may not have the same modulation and requires more work to set up.