Avid Shorty Ultimate Cantilever Brakes

They live up to the reputation. Some of the best Cantis I've ever used. Plus they are really good looking.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: May 12, 2013
Reviewed by: Roland L., New York

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Avid Shorty Ultimate brakes

These are the best canti brakes I have ever used.

Pros: Easy to set up and work graet

Cons: None

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: March 11, 2013
Reviewed by: Brett C., Washington

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Pain to set up, good brake other than that

You won't find a better cross brake unless you go to discs. It has two types of set-up, one for extra clearance, the other set-up is for added braking power. My one complaint is with the springs and setting up the brakes. You have to get it right the first time, or the threadlocker essentially peals itself from the lock-up bolts, and you have to either apply more threadlocker or buy more bolts with threadlocker on them. Avid fell short on this area of the design.

Pros: Great braking and modulation

Cons: Pain to set-up

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: February 27, 2013
Reviewed by: Jason A., Connecticut

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Been riding with these for a little over a year now. Mounted on my Co-Motion Demon that is my CX racer and travel bike. These have excellent stopping power, especially compared to the cantis that I previously used. Set the front to the wide setting and the rear to the narrow setting and haven't had any problems with mud or stopping. The cable end adjustment is pretty sweet too.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 02, 2012
Reviewed by: Eric H., Oregon

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These are nice looking, and really brake well. I have to say, they are harder to set up than PAUL canti's, and you may wish you had three hands, but once you get them set up, they are really nice!

Pros: Brakes well, suitable for your really nice bike.

Cons: Be patient setting them up.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 26, 2011
Reviewed by: eric b., Oregon

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The level of adjustment on these is fantastic. Takes a little while to get them dialed, like another reviewer mentioned, but are phenomenal when properly adjusted. They deliver better stopping power than the mini-V brakes I had on my cross bike before, and are easy to modulate.

I run in narrow stance, haven't tried wide stance yet. I'm using Sram Red shifters. They look fantastic, although the anodizing on the red lock nuts is a little fragile - I've taken some of the anodization off with my wrench during adjustment.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 26, 2011
Reviewed by: David D., Ontario, Canada

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Bling with purpose

These brake are amazing. They look amazing and stop amazing. The adjustablility is great, but it does take some time to get them dialed in, but once they are you have some serious braking power.

Pros: Work as good as they look

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: January 17, 2011
Reviewed by: Eric T., Colorado

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I can't remember the last time I was this excited about a component purchase. these 'works of art' tick all the boxes in terms of function, asthetics and build quality. They take all best features of other brand brakes and roll them in to one. One very important thing to note is that you need the correct length brake studs to ensure the brakes function correctly. Pre-2008 shimano standard studs are the size stud you need.

Pros: Wide or narrow stance in one brake.
Fine tuning is a breeze.
Weight.

Cons: No mention of stud sizing in the Avid literature.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 06, 2010
Reviewed by: Stuart P., International

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This is by far the nicest set of CX brakes I have found. As usual with Avid's Ultimate series, all the stops have been pulled to create an aesthetically pleasing product that also works really well. Suitable for any bike running cantis where clearance could become an issue and where smooth, powerful braking is desired. I run these narrow-stance on a commuter bike with Paul Levers and it is the bomb.

Pros: Intelligent engineering, beautifully crafted, great manuals

Cons: None so far.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 18, 2010
Reviewed by: Fredrik S., International

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There are other great cantis out there, but Avid hit these ones out of the park. The adjustable arm clearance is so intelligent in design that you wonder why others have not thought about it before. Preventing leg strikes on dismounts is always a good thing. They stop so well in either setting. Pad & cable adjustment is impeccable. They look killer. Veyr easy to maintain at optimal performance

Pros: Power
Adjustment
Two Positions
Asthetics

Cons: None thus far

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 15, 2010
Reviewed by: R.T., Manitoba

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