Brake and STI compatability

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chocjohn9
Posts: 300
Joined: 20 Mar 2012, 10:07pm
Location: Sunny Belgium

Brake and STI compatability

Post by chocjohn9 »

I know that often they don't like each other.
I was looking at buying this STI set -
https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/shi ... aid:444136
My frame has canti fixings. Which brakes will work? I'm happy to consider cantis or Vs. A few ideas would be great.
It's a touring bike frame, so mudguards and fat tyres will be fitted, if that makes any difference.
Thanks a lot.
John
mullinsm
Posts: 114
Joined: 9 Sep 2011, 2:00pm

Re: Brake and STI compatability

Post by mullinsm »

This is a problem I've dealt with over the years and I've found that the Avid Ultimate Shorties are the best with STI levers for touring (see my post on the Thorn Sherpa for more details. Mini V brakes work well, but the clearance can be an issue with mudguards. I've used them with tires up to 35mm without guards and you could probably get away with guards on 28mm tyres OK. The Avids are better though if you can stretch to the (ridiculous) cost.

You could also go for full size V brakes and use a Travel Agent to alter the cable pull, but you're getting to the same price as the Avids then.
Brucey
Posts: 44521
Joined: 4 Jan 2012, 6:25pm

Re: Brake and STI compatability

Post by Brucey »

ST-5703 has 'new super SLR' (NSSLR) cable pull. This means that the levers have longer cable pull and lower MA than ~pre 2008 STI models.

Basically your choices with standard height canti bosses (and no travel agent) are

a) Mini Vs
b) mid-arm cantis, set to give the highest MA

Of the available brakes, Pauls touring cantis or Velo Orange cantis (set wider than in the publicity shots) will give the highest MA.

cheers
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Brucey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
uppadine
Posts: 128
Joined: 30 Jan 2009, 11:48pm

Re: Brake and STI compatability

Post by uppadine »

While this thread runs, what cantis are best with Claris 2403 triple STI's? Is the Avid Ultimate compatible? Thanks.
Brucey
Posts: 44521
Joined: 4 Jan 2012, 6:25pm

Re: Brake and STI compatability

Post by Brucey »

uppadine wrote:While this thread runs, what cantis are best with Claris 2403 triple STI's? Is the Avid Ultimate compatible? Thanks.


Same cable pull, so same answer, pretty much.

BTW the Shorty Ultimate has a few key features which make it suitable for CX racing;
a) it is better made than a lot of brakes (having fancy bearings in the pivots IIRC) and
b) it is adjustable for MA, by being reconfigured, and
c) it has brake block holders which accept 'road' type inserts of which there is a good choice

The first makes a relatively small difference in normal use and the second is useful when CX racing (you can trade mud clearance against power) but for (loaded) touring you will probably only ever use the mid-arm configuration, because the system MA will be fairly low with the wide arm (bigger mud clearance) setting. If you are on a budget there are other (fixed) mid-arm cantilevers which give a similar MA, e.g. the other shorty models;

Image

or shimano BR-CX50/70, tektro CR710 etc

cheers
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Brucey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
uppadine
Posts: 128
Joined: 30 Jan 2009, 11:48pm

Re: Brake and STI compatability

Post by uppadine »

Many thanks
chocjohn9
Posts: 300
Joined: 20 Mar 2012, 10:07pm
Location: Sunny Belgium

Re: Brake and STI compatability

Post by chocjohn9 »

Much appreciated. Thanks a lot.
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