Brakes dont work with fenders

[ecoronin]

I have Cantilever low profile brakes on a 26in mountain bike. My brakes doent work with my fenders. I really want to keep my fenders and tried new brakes and it still wont fit. I really need some help I have to go out tonight.

[whittierider]

Do you just need a longer straddle cable?

[paddleboy17]

An Avid Shorty cantilever brake might work for you.  I had them on a Bianchi and really liked them

You might have to investigate linear pull (aka V brakes).  Officially, these need a V brake compatible brake lever.  I have heard of people using them without a V brake lever and being satisfied.

There is an accessory to convert regular levers to operate a V brake.  These look like a kludge, but they do work really well.  For the life of me, I can't remember who makes them but your local bike shop should be helpful.

[staehpj1]

I have Cantilever low profile brakes on a 26in mountain bike. My brakes doent work with my fenders. I really want to keep my fenders and tried new brakes and it still wont fit. I really need some help I have to go out tonight.

What is the problem?  Lots of bikes have low profile cantis and fenders, is it a clearance thing or what?  Can you post a picture?

[whittierider]

There is an accessory to convert regular levers to operate a V brake.  These look like a kludge, but they do work really well.  For the life of me, I can't remember who makes them but your local bike shop should be helpful.

That would be QPB's Travel Agent.



It looks like it wraps the cable around two different diameter wheels machined into the same piece of metal, so that as it rotates, it takes up and lets out more cable on one side than the other.  In the picture, the cable comes in from the lever at the top, wraps most of the way around the smaller wheel in the front, then goes through the slot in the side and up to the outer wheel, where it wraps around and finally comes out the bottom-front to the V brake.  Read about it at http://www.problemsolversbike.com/pdf/PS_travel_agent.pdf .  You'll have to have your LBS order it for you though.  QBP does not sell directly to individuals.

I don't know if the frame can handle mini-V's, but those don't require the Travel Agent.  Our road tandem has mini-V's with STI levers and still leaves room for fenders with tires at least as big as 32mm.  We don't have Travel Agents on it.