Caliper vs Cantilever Brakes: Major Differences Explained
Braking systems are essential for keeping you safe on the road, off-road, or on track. Whether you’re brand new to biking or have been riding for years, choosing the right brake for your bike type is crucial to your bicycle’s performance.
Among the best braking systems are caliper and cantilever brakes. So what are they, and how do they differ?
Caliper brakes are easy to operate and adjust and don’t require the need for brake mounts. Cantilever brakes have better tire clearance, reduced mud accumulation, and better stopping power.
In this guide, we’ll go into detail about how they work and the specific differences between the two.
Why is Choosing the Best Bike Brake Important?
Bike brakes are the mechanism to stop your bicycle from moving. They function to stop the wheels from turning so it doesn’t continue to roll. Reliable brakes can keep riders safe in all kinds of road and off-road situations.
A bicycle brake slows down or prevents the bike from moving using friction. Friction is generated by braking pads pressing against a braking surface (rim, rotor, or drum). When a rider pulls the brake levers on mechanical disc brakes, the cable is shortened. In turn, the cable activates the pistons within the brake caliper, which close the brake pads on the rotor.
What is Caliper Brakes?
In today’s cycling world, caliper brakes are the most commonly used style of rim brakes, and they are seen on road bikes, single-speed bikes, and hybrid bikes. Caliper brakes mount to a single point above the wheel, which centers the brake arms around the rim. Also, caliper brakes have a single body, which makes them lighter and better balanced than other styles.
Caliper brakes bolt on through the bicycle’s forks on the front and throughout the frame on the rear. It directly inserts into the brake and works via a cable. Once the cable is pulled, tension is created, and the cable pulls two pads together, which grip onto the rim. As a result, this creates friction and causes the bike to slow down.
Caliper brakes were incredibly common in the marketplace for many years. Most youth bikes and road bikes feature caliper brakes. It provides reliable and quick braking in various road cycling situations, including road racing.
The caliper brakes are extremely aerodynamic and super lightweight. They can be worked on easily when it comes to maintenance and repairs and fit onto the bike seamlessly. However, caliper brakes do have some limitations, such as lacking in power, not being ideal in poor conditions, and being limited in certain tire sizes.
Many modern road bikes designed for racing have dual-pivot side-pull caliper brakes. The center brake arm pivots, while the side brake arm pivots, resulting in better overall braking than other kinds of rim brakes.
Pros and Cons of Caliper Brakes
Below are the pros and cons of caliper brakes:
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- Easy to repair and maintain
- Aerodynamic
- Affordable pricing
- Many types of caliper brakes are available
Cons:
- Not a ton of stopping power
- Not the best in poor weather conditions
- Tight tire clearance
What are Cantilever Brakes?
The cantilever brake was very popular years ago and could be found on all kinds of bicycles, but it was more common on classic mountain bikes. A separate bolt was attached to the front fork of the bike, and a separate bolt to the rear triangle of the wheel on each side of the wheel.
They operated the brake by running a cable across the top like a bridge instead of directly into the brake. As the brake pad is pulled, it compresses onto the rim.
These brakes were lightweight, easy to install, and required little adjustments or maintenance once installed. The tires offered clearance for larger tires and worked well in muddy and poor weather conditions.
They require bulkier forks since they aren’t the smallest brakes. Under heavy load braking, many people reported fork rattles, which made riding a bit uncomfortable.
Center-pull cantilever brakes have two brake arms attached on either side of the wheel, and a centrally lined cable pulls the brake lever upward. Cyclocross bikes used to be equipped with them due to their superior mud-shedding abilities compared to caliper brakes, which have less clearance between the wheel and the mechanism.
Pros and Cons of Cantilever Brakes
Consider the pros and cons of cantilever brakes:
Pros:
- Good for muddy rides and rough weather
- Great for tire clearance
- Require less cable
- Easy to repair and fit
- Lightweight
Cons:
- It may cause fork rattle
- Not better than other brake types in the market
Differences Between Caliper vs Cantilever Brakes
While caliper and cantilever brakes work similarly, they’re quite different from each other. Here are the primary differences you can expect when using them.
Design
The caliper and cantilever brakes clamp down on the metal rim of the bike’s wheel. However, it’s undeniable that both brakes have different designs.
The caliper brakes are aerodynamic and smaller, while the cantilever brakes are larger and wider. Furthermore, caliper brakes feature a sleek design that enhances the overall aesthetics of the road bike.
Cantilever brakes are built with two opposing machines, which are installed on opposite sides of the rim, rather than one solid caliper. Caliper brakes are similar to those found on old bicycles. With caliper brakes, the brake clamps on the metal rim, slowing down the bike. Cantilever brakes operate similarly, but they are constructed differently.
Cantilever brakes are the widest-rim brakes available. Both sides of the bicycle have brake arms and cables. When performing tricks, you are more likely to touch the brake. That’s why stunt bicycles won’t have cantilever brakes.
Braking
Caliper and cantilever brakes work similarly, but their overall braking process is completely different. A single bolt attaches the rim brake to the fork or frame. The brake surrounds the top portion of the wheel. Caliper brakes are also known as side pull brakes because the brake cables are mounted on one side only.
The cantilever brakes are rim brakes that pull from the center. The bike slows down by pulling a brake cable which, in turn, pulls the brake arms towards the rim of the wheel, causing the brakes to engage.
Caliper brakes are one of the most common brakes found on a bike. Despite its simplistic design, this device also has a very dependable power source. It is considered to be the standard brake for all bikes, especially road and youth bikes, due to its power to slow down the bicycle.
As for cantilever brakes, they are considered more powerful but also less aerodynamic. Cantilever brakes are most commonly used on cyclocross bikes, which are used on light off-road terrain.
A cyclocross bike used on the road usually needs a more powerful brake than a standard caliper brake can provide. Compared to caliper brakes, cantilever brakes provide more power on the brake in this situation.
Tire Clearance
Caliper brakes are limited in that you can only fit a certain size of the tire in them since there is very little height room on these brakes to accept anything larger than 32c. There is a large amount of tire clearance on cantilever brakes so that you can fit anything from small road bike tires to large mountain bike tires.
They also differ in how much space they can provide without causing any problems with the tire. Cantilever brakes have the best tire clearance of all rim brakes, including caliper brakes, allowing bike owners to use the widest tires without affecting the frame or overall ride quality. Of all rim brakes, cantilevers allow riders to run the widest tires that the frame and fork can accommodate. With full-fenders, cantilevers can also be used. Therefore, cyclocross and touring bikes have cantilevers.
Caliper brakes have the major disadvantage of covering the entire wheel and preventing wide rims and tires from being used. All other models, except BMX calipers, are made for road bikes, so they greatly limit the width of the wheel they can accommodate. In the case of road bikes, this isn’t a major problem since they generally use slim tires (23-28 mm) and do not have full fenders.
The caliper brakes, however, don’t provide the best tire clearance when installed on your bike. As a result of the installation on the upper part of the bike wheel, wide tires and rims can’t be used on bikes during this installation.
Mud Accumulation
Cyclocross races were typically held with cantilever brakes before disc brakes became popular. The mud didn’t clog up the brakes in muddy off-road races and it was also much easier to clean.
Caliper and cantilever brakes can also be compared based on how they handle mud. Over time, caliper brakes can collect mud due to their arch design. Dirt accumulates in an arch formed by the brake arms.
When riding off-road, mud can accumulate significantly and slow down the bike. Since mud can significantly affect a bike’s speed, caliper brakes aren’t used on off-road bikes.
The way cantilever brakes deal with mud during the ride is exactly the opposite. Since cantilever brakes have two disconnected mechanisms, they cannot accumulate mud. They are only connected by a wire that slices the mud but doesn’t store it. Cantilever brakes don’t accumulate mud because the brake arms are far apart. Straddle wires connect them, slicing through tire mud.
Size
Among these two brakes, the size is another distinguishing feature. Caliper brakes are the most compact rim brakes. Its compact size makes it less likely to hit the bike’s body, especially when performing tricks. This is why caliper brakes are preferred by many BMX bike riders since they don’t interfere with stunts and tricks.
Conversely, cantilever brakes are completely different in size from caliper brakes. It’s considered the widest-rim brake anyone can use on a bike and is bulky. On both sides of the bike, you will see the brake arms and cables sticking out. Since this brake is bulky, it can’t be used to perform bike tricks, especially on BMX bikes.
Brake Mounts
With calipers, there is only one bolt connecting the fork and frame, unlike with cantilever brakes. The mounting system complements the simplicity of the brakes and eliminates the need for welding or brazing special mounts. Thus, many frames can be fitted with caliper brakes.
The absence of brake mounts also benefits mass frame and fork production. On a larger scale, one less step results in a million steps saved. Unfortunately, cantilevers require brake mounts, which only adds to the complexity of the system.
Installation and Adjustment
Caliper and cantilever brakes can be compared by how difficult it is to install and adjust them. Compared to other bicycle brakes, caliper brakes are one of the easiest to operate, install, and adjust.
Caliper brakes are among the simplest brakes to operate and adjust. They have very few settings to work with compared to cantilevers, making them beginner friendly.
It can be installed on a bike without mounts since it is secured by a single bolt in the frame and form. There are many types of bike frames that can be used with caliper brakes, which have a simple mounting system.
Cantilever brakes, however, can be difficult to install and adjust. Getting them set up properly requires extra time, tools, and work. Beginners may have difficulty installing or adjusting it, whereas experienced bikers may find it tricky and challenging.
Attachment
Although they are mounted in the same location, these brakes are mounted very differently. One bolt holds the caliper brakes to the frame and the top of the fork. A cantilever brake is mounted with two bolts, one on each fork leg and one on the frame.
Shorter Pull
A pull refers to the distance the cable travels when pulled by the lever. Most cantilever brakes have a shorter pull than caliper brakes. It makes braking easier on bikes with drop bars, and the brake pads engage more quickly.
Which is Right for You: Caliper or Cantilever Brakes?
It should come as no surprise that road bikes use caliper brakes. This is partly due to the narrower and more streamlined tires on road bikes. Caliper brakes will perform well as long as the rims are fairly dry.
When used on road bikes, caliper brakes shine. Commuters can also use them, but the limited tire size is too much to overlook.
When riding on paved roads, caliper brakes that are adjusted properly offer plenty of stopping power.
A cantilever brake provides tire clearance as well as compatibility with road or drop bar levers. As a result, they are an excellent choice for cyclocross bikes and touring bikes with drop bars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are frequently asked questions about caliper and cantilever brakes.
Are cantilever brakes any good for racing?
Cantilever brakes are perfect for bike racing. It features a wide tire clearance, accommodating the extensive tire widths used in cyclocross and mountain bikes.
Since the maximum width of handlebars is 50cm, most racing bicycles have drop bars. As a result, cantilever brakes are compatible with drop bar levers, making them an excellent choice for racing bikes.
It was only the cantilever brake that could be used on mountain bikes with knobby tires. Consequently, the olden days’ MTBs had cantilever brakes. In recent years, mountain bike models have gradually shifted to disc brakes.
Are cantilever brakes strong?
Until recently, cantilever brakes were the only type of brake used on touring bikes. Before mountain bikes were invented, they provided braking solutions. As a result, they evolved into a powerful braking mechanism.
Cantilevers are so strong that they are often used on tandems and touring bikes with loads. Whenever cantilever brakes are set or adjusted correctly, they can provide all the force necessary to stop any bicycle. Setting up the cantilever braking system to its optimal performance is the greatest challenge for most beginners.
In addition, cantilevers are the strongest brakes when riding on wet or muddy surfaces. Furthermore, cantilevers are the best rim brakes if you intend to ride wide tires.
Are cantilever and caliper brakes short or long pull?
V-brakes have a greater mechanical advantage than cantilever and caliper brakes. As a result, cantilever and caliper brakes have short pull brake levers.
The wheel would lock if the condition wasn’t met before the brake lever reached its full travel. This results ins poor modulation (control over braking force).
Wrapping It Up
Both caliper and cantilever brakes look similar and function similarly, but they each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Any bike using drop bar levers should consider cantilevers. Additionally, tour bikes are perfectly compatible with cantilevers. They also work great in wet and muddy conditions. Conversely, caliper bikes are best suited for road bikes that need a simple brake system for paved roads.
Of course, there are other factors to a brake system, such as how well you adjust the setup and the quality of the brake pads.
Now it’s your turn to take what you’ve learned and find the right brakes for your needs.