Can a shimano cantilever brake lever be used for Avid mechanical disk brake ?

Question

I just picked up a new Avid caliper/disk setup for my old MB and was wonding if anyone out there nows if I can use my Simano XT cantilever levers with this new disk brake.

Or is the modulasion (sp?) going to be off...and if so, can this be fixed by changing something (other than the whole lever!).

The reason I would like to keep my lever is...besides being new (at 15 years old!) it's attatched to my gear shifters, and I assume I would have to change both the gear shifter and the brake lever,,,,if the lever does not work with the new disk.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

you have a couple of options.

1 - try it and see what happens

2 - buy "v-dapters."  they convert the cable pull so you can use cantilever brake levers

3 - hit ebay and buy the right levers and spare shifters for pretty darn cheap anyway

i think that's about it.  if your bike is old enough that you still have cantilever brakes, do you even have disc mounts???

Answer 2

It will work but it definitely won't be as good as V-Brake/Mechanical Disc Lever.

V/Mechanical Disc brake levers pull more cable and will allow you regulate the pressure that is applied to disc more evenly.

Cantilever levers wouldn't give you very good feel with the brake, it would probably be a feeling of all or nothing, the brakes would be able lock up the wheel with very little brake lever movement but more force would have to be applied to the lever to do this. You don't want to skid a wheel or feel like the bike wants to throw you over the handlebars every time you want to slow down.

As your shifters/brake levers are 15 years old, if they could modified to work better on disc brakes it might be hard to find parts to do this.

I think that your new brakes will need some new levers so that they can work the way that they are supposed to.

Answer 3

yes

Answer 4

And your bike does have disc mounts, right?

And your wheel is compatible with the disc, too, right?

Just checkin'