Cycling UK Forum

I've got a very nice touring cycle with calliper brakes which I plan to convert to cantilevers for reasons I won't bore you with. My machine has Shimano 105 ten speed shifters (ST5600) and I plan to pair these with Shimano BR-R550 cantilevers which are advertised with being compatible with road levers. This combination however doesn't feature in any of the current Shimano compatibilty charts so does anyone foresee any problems in doing this? I'll get the studs or bosses brazed onto the frame plus a cable stop bridge on the seat stays and a Tektro cable stop for the front fitted to the stem. Thanks in advance for any advice.

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Cantilever brakes (with a straddle cable) are mostly compatible with road levers.
It's direct pull ("V") brakes that aren't.

My experience would be that the Tektro Cr720 or the Cr520 would give more efficient braking than the ones you're considering.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tek ... e-ec009091

I'd go for the Tektro or Avid Shorty brakes rather than Shimano. They're a much better option.

Mister Loco wrote:I've got a very nice touring cycle with calliper brakes which I plan to convert to cantilevers for reasons I won't bore you with. My machine has Shimano 105 ten speed shifters (ST5600) and I plan to pair these with Shimano BR-R550 cantilevers which are advertised with being compatible with road levers. This combination however doesn't feature in any of the current Shimano compatibilty charts so does anyone foresee any problems in doing this? I'll get the studs or bosses brazed onto the frame plus a cable stop bridge on the seat stays and a Tektro cable stop for the front fitted to the stem. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Yes they work, the R550 cantilevers as both lever and cantilever are non-linear pull, if you are buying new forks and the new model is carbon then intead of a "ektro cable stop for the front fitted to the stem" I believe Chris Juden has suggested something like the KF Kona Design front Hanger:



"Absolutely vital for a cantilever-braked cyclocross bike. Dangerous brake resonance is eradicated immediately and braking efficiency increased dramatically"

Paul_Smith
Touring Tips