Switching from Z-Link to Straddle Wire on Cantilever Brakes--Is therean issue I'm not realizing?

I have a bike with cantilever brakes using a z-link wire. The mounting
bracket for a porteur rack that goes to the brake bolt hole on the fork
interferes with this.

I was thinking of using a "Problem Solvers Wide Cable Carrier"
http://problemsolversbike.com/products/wide_cable_carrier and
switching to a straddle wire (as shown in
http://problemsolversbike.com/files/...rBikeRumor.jpg which
is just what I want to do).

But the instructions on the Problem Solvers device say "It is not
compatible with V-brakes, one-piece “link wire� cantilever brakes, or
any other style of brake."

Is there some issue with switching from z-link to a straddle wire on
cantilever brakes?

On Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 5:37:46 PM UTC-8, sms wrote:
I have a bike with cantilever brakes using a z-link wire. The mounting
bracket for a porteur rack that goes to the brake bolt hole on the fork
interferes with this.

I was thinking of using a "Problem Solvers Wide Cable Carrier"
http://problemsolversbike.com/products/wide_cable_carrier and
switching to a straddle wire (as shown in
http://problemsolversbike.com/files/...rBikeRumor.jpg which
is just what I want to do).

But the instructions on the Problem Solvers device say "It is not
compatible with V-brakes, one-piece "link wire" cantilever brakes, or
any other style of brake."

Is there some issue with switching from z-link to a straddle wire on
cantilever brakes?

I wouldn't think so -- you're replacing the z-link with a normal straddle cable. I assume your brakes have the usual anchors for a straddle cable.

The instructions are just stating the obvious -- you can't use a cable carrier with a z-link.

-- Jay Beattie

On Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 5:37:46 PM UTC-8, sms wrote:
I have a bike with cantilever brakes using a z-link wire. The mounting
bracket for a porteur rack that goes to the brake bolt hole on the fork
interferes with this.

I was thinking of using a "Problem Solvers Wide Cable Carrier"
http://problemsolversbike.com/products/wide_cable_carrier and
switching to a straddle wire (as shown in
http://problemsolversbike.com/files/...rBikeRumor.jpg which
is just what I want to do).

But the instructions on the Problem Solvers device say "It is not
compatible with V-brakes, one-piece "link wire" cantilever brakes, or
any other style of brake."

Is there some issue with switching from z-link to a straddle wire on
cantilever brakes?

V-brakes and cantilevers are not the same thing. The device you note is for a cantilever set-up. Though I don't see how you gain any advantage.

On 2015-12-05 17:37, sms wrote:
I have a bike with cantilever brakes using a z-link wire. The mounting
bracket for a porteur rack that goes to the brake bolt hole on the fork
interferes with this.

I was thinking of using a "Problem Solvers Wide Cable Carrier"
http://problemsolversbike.com/products/wide_cable_carrier and
switching to a straddle wire (as shown in
http://problemsolversbike.com/files/...rBikeRumor.jpg which
is just what I want to do).

But the instructions on the Problem Solvers device say "It is not
compatible with V-brakes, one-piece “link wire� cantilever brakes, or
any other style of brake."

Is there some issue with switching from z-link to a straddle wire on
cantilever brakes?


To me this looks dangerous. At least put something underneath there that
catches the works in case the cable to the handle snaps. Definitely for
the front brake. Else ... snap ... tire snags the loop bracket ... stops
abruptly ... you go over the bar ... hospital bills ...

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

On Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 10:01:39 AM UTC-8, Joerg wrote:
On 2015-12-05 17:37, sms wrote:
I have a bike with cantilever brakes using a z-link wire. The mounting
bracket for a porteur rack that goes to the brake bolt hole on the fork
interferes with this.

I was thinking of using a "Problem Solvers Wide Cable Carrier"
http://problemsolversbike.com/products/wide_cable_carrier and
switching to a straddle wire (as shown in
http://problemsolversbike.com/files/...rBikeRumor.jpg which
is just what I want to do).

But the instructions on the Problem Solvers device say "It is not
compatible with V-brakes, one-piece "link wire" cantilever brakes, or
any other style of brake."

Is there some issue with switching from z-link to a straddle wire on
cantilever brakes?


To me this looks dangerous. At least put something underneath there that
catches the works in case the cable to the handle snaps. Definitely for
the front brake. Else ... snap ... tire snags the loop bracket ... stops
abruptly ... you go over the bar ... hospital bills ...

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

Just as a data point, people have been riding ordinary cantilevers with straddle cables and carriers for, oh, ever. I haven't seen a lot of carnage. I owned the exact Problem Solvers piece that SMS is looking at, and I escaped with my life -- although I ultimately dumped the bike(s) (touring bike and a tandem).

-- Jay Beattie.

On Sun, 06 Dec 2015 10:01:34 -0800, Joerg
wrote:

To me this looks dangerous. At least put something underneath there that
catches the works in case the cable to the handle snaps. Definitely for
the front brake. Else ... snap ... tire snags the loop bracket ... stops
abruptly ... you go over the bar ... hospital bills ...

There's a note about the problem in the instructions:
http://problemsolversbike.com/files/tech/13204_PRO_Wide_Cable_Carrier_INST.pdf
WARNING: The Wide Cable Carrier is a cable carrier designed
for use with cantilever brake systems and a traditional straddle
cable. In the event of a cable failure with these systems, the
straddle wire may fall into your tire causing a sudden stop that
could lead to a crash causing serious injury. We STRONGLY RECOMMEND
the use of a reflector bracket that extends beyond and under the
straddle wire of the Wide Cable Carrier to prevent the straddle
cable from making contact with the tire in the event of brake cable
slippage or failure.

Of course, nobody reads the instructions. This has the look of a
plausible denial statement just in case someone does get injured,
sues, and claims that the manufacturer didn't warn them of the danger.

I suppose a fender or mud guard would be sufficient to prevent
disaster. Or, ride with non-knobby and smooth street tires, which
will not snag the cable.

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On 12/6/2015 2:56 PM, jbeattie wrote:
On Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 10:01:39 AM UTC-8, Joerg wrote:
On 2015-12-05 17:37, sms wrote:
I have a bike with cantilever brakes using a z-link wire. The mounting
bracket for a porteur rack that goes to the brake bolt hole on the fork
interferes with this.

I was thinking of using a "Problem Solvers Wide Cable Carrier"
http://problemsolversbike.com/products/wide_cable_carrier and
switching to a straddle wire (as shown in
http://problemsolversbike.com/files/...rBikeRumor.jpg which
is just what I want to do).

But the instructions on the Problem Solvers device say "It is not
compatible with V-brakes, one-piece "link wire" cantilever brakes, or
any other style of brake."

Is there some issue with switching from z-link to a straddle wire on
cantilever brakes?


To me this looks dangerous. At least put something underneath there that
catches the works in case the cable to the handle snaps. Definitely for
the front brake. Else ... snap ... tire snags the loop bracket ... stops
abruptly ... you go over the bar ... hospital bills ...

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

Just as a data point, people have been riding ordinary cantilevers with straddle cables and carriers for, oh, ever. I haven't seen a lot of carnage. I owned the exact Problem Solvers piece that SMS is looking at, and I escaped with my life -- although I ultimately dumped the bike(s) (touring bike and a tandem).

Another example of "safety inflation," I suppose.

There may have been one or more incidents where a gonzo mountain biker
broke his front brake cable, snagged his knobbies and crashed. And he
may have employed a lawyer to demand payment for that crash.

But the same mountain biker may have crashed dozens of times due to
excessive speed, overestimation of his abilities or simple stupidity.
Those don't count. They're just part of mountain biking.

--
- Frank Krygowski

On 12/6/2015 4:31 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On 12/6/2015 2:56 PM, jbeattie wrote:
On Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 10:01:39 AM UTC-8, Joerg
wrote:
On 2015-12-05 17:37, sms wrote:
I have a bike with cantilever brakes using a z-link
wire. The mounting
bracket for a porteur rack that goes to the brake bolt
hole on the fork
interferes with this.

I was thinking of using a "Problem Solvers Wide Cable
Carrier"
http://problemsolversbike.com/products/wide_cable_carrier
and
switching to a straddle wire (as shown in
http://problemsolversbike.com/files/...rBikeRumor.jpg
which
is just what I want to do).

But the instructions on the Problem Solvers device say
"It is not
compatible with V-brakes, one-piece "link wire"
cantilever brakes, or
any other style of brake."

Is there some issue with switching from z-link to a
straddle wire on
cantilever brakes?


To me this looks dangerous. At least put something
underneath there that
catches the works in case the cable to the handle snaps.
Definitely for
the front brake. Else ... snap ... tire snags the loop
bracket ... stops
abruptly ... you go over the bar ... hospital bills ...

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

Just as a data point, people have been riding ordinary
cantilevers with straddle cables and carriers for, oh,
ever. I haven't seen a lot of carnage. I owned the exact
Problem Solvers piece that SMS is looking at, and I
escaped with my life -- although I ultimately dumped the
bike(s) (touring bike and a tandem).

Another example of "safety inflation," I suppose.

There may have been one or more incidents where a gonzo
mountain biker broke his front brake cable, snagged his
knobbies and crashed. And he may have employed a lawyer to
demand payment for that crash.

But the same mountain biker may have crashed dozens of times
due to excessive speed, overestimation of his abilities or
simple stupidity. Those don't count. They're just part of
mountain biking.


The famously notable event was fatal.

It's an unlikely scenario but still...

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

On Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 2:31:20 PM UTC-8, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On 12/6/2015 2:56 PM, jbeattie wrote:
On Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 10:01:39 AM UTC-8, Joerg wrote:
On 2015-12-05 17:37, sms wrote:
I have a bike with cantilever brakes using a z-link wire. The mounting
bracket for a porteur rack that goes to the brake bolt hole on the fork
interferes with this.

I was thinking of using a "Problem Solvers Wide Cable Carrier"
http://problemsolversbike.com/products/wide_cable_carrier and
switching to a straddle wire (as shown in
http://problemsolversbike.com/files/...rBikeRumor.jpg which
is just what I want to do).

But the instructions on the Problem Solvers device say "It is not
compatible with V-brakes, one-piece "link wire" cantilever brakes, or
any other style of brake."

Is there some issue with switching from z-link to a straddle wire on
cantilever brakes?


To me this looks dangerous. At least put something underneath there that
catches the works in case the cable to the handle snaps. Definitely for
the front brake. Else ... snap ... tire snags the loop bracket ... stops
abruptly ... you go over the bar ... hospital bills ...

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

Just as a data point, people have been riding ordinary cantilevers with straddle cables and carriers for, oh, ever. I haven't seen a lot of carnage. I owned the exact Problem Solvers piece that SMS is looking at, and I escaped with my life -- although I ultimately dumped the bike(s) (touring bike and a tandem).

Another example of "safety inflation," I suppose.

There may have been one or more incidents where a gonzo mountain biker
broke his front brake cable, snagged his knobbies and crashed. And he
may have employed a lawyer to demand payment for that crash.

I'm sure that's the case -- or more likely, the gonzo mountain biker failed to adequately secure the anchor bolt on the cable carrier and it slid down the brake cable, but who knows. Breaking a front brake cable may have dire consequences without anything falling into the wheel -- like not being able to stop the bike because of an inadequate rear brake. I'm not a canti apologist, but after using them for decades with no problems except that the sucked with STI, I don't see them as particularly dangerous. And until recently, everyone who raced CX had to use them. https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikepo...630/?ytcheck=1

That's just one pack at the Alpenrose Cross Crusade race. Not a disc in sight.


-- Jay Beattie.

On 06/12/2015 22:54, AMuzi wrote:

Another example of "safety inflation," I suppose.

There may have been one or more incidents where a gonzo
mountain biker broke his front brake cable, snagged his
knobbies and crashed. And he may have employed a lawyer to
demand payment for that crash.

But the same mountain biker may have crashed dozens of times
due to excessive speed, overestimation of his abilities or
simple stupidity. Those don't count. They're just part of
mountain biking.


The famously notable event was fatal.

It's an unlikely scenario but still...

And sufficiently easy to guard against that it's not worth taking the
risk IMO.