Cantilever brakes are one type of rim brake with two arms. The arms pivot on posts attached to the seat stays or fork of a bicycle.
There is a brake pad on each arm, and they are joined by a center cable to press against the wheel rim to halt the bike. Cantilever brakes were well-liked for cyclocross and touring bicycles since they provide room for larger tires and can shed mud easily. While the majority of new bicycles predominantly employ V-brakes and disc brakes, cantilever brakes are still used on older or vintage endurance bicycles. Properly aligning and tensioning them is crucial for their performance.
