Boring McBoring's guide to shimano cantilever brakes (including all the McVersions...)

[Brucey]

I was slightly taken aback recently to discover that -barring duplicates in their own listings- there have been approximately (*) 80 different shimano canti models listed to date. Who knew? I've taken on the not inconsiderably tedious task of cataloguing them. They are in the same order as they appear in shimano's techdoc archive. There are four pages, containing 25,25,25, and 5 listings respectively. This is page 1

(*) there are many which are similar, but there are also some brakes where there are different arm lengths under the same model number rather than a different one.


BR-C700 700CX brake


above image is actually BR-C701 (M-size); BR-C700 has solid arms, no holes. and is S-size
https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-C700

BR-CT10 Altus C10, M-size (~1993)



https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CT10_CT11

BR-CT11 Altus C10, L-size


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CT10_CT11

BR-M290 Acera X


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M290-E

BR-M351 Exage


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M351


BR-M520 Exage ES, M-size


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M520_M521

BR-M521 Exage ES, L-size
No photo available. Similar to BR-M520, but BR-M520 is marked 'M' on EV techdoc and BR-M521 is marked 'L'

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M520_M521

BR-M565 Deore LX, M-size and L-size



https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M565

BR-M565-E Deore LX. M-size and L-size


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M565-E


BR-M730 XT

chunky one-piece brake blocks and unit link wire were standard. These brakes configure as mid-arm on wide bosses but may also be used as wide-arm brakes on narrow spaced bosses.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M730

BR-M737 XT

unit link wire and cartridge brake blocks as standard. This 'low profile' arm shape went on to be used in many different shimano cantis (as well as other people's knock-offs). It appears to be similarly dimensioned to subsequent 'M-size' versions.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M737

BR-M900-C XTR (~1993)

very similar to BR-M737, but slight differences and a better finish. C-suffix means cartridge type brake blocks.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M900-C

BR-MC10 Alivio

one-piece brake blocks and Z-type unit link as standard

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MC10_MC11


BR-MC11 Alivio 'L' variant of BR-MC10

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MC10_MC11

BR-MC12-E Alivio

revised version of BR-MC10 with different brake blocks and painted finish.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MC12-E

BR-MC15 Acera, S-Size


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MC15

BR-MC32 STX M and L versions


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MC32


BR-MC33 STX RC (M & L variants)


simialr to BR-MC32 but with cartridge brake blocks as standard

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MC33

BR-MJ05 MJ-II. (M & L variants) Low profile post-type brake in the usual shimano mould, with solid arms.
no image available

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MJ05

BR-MT60 Deore

Same layout as BR-M730. One piece brake blocks and conventional straddle as standard; polished finish on arms. Part of the 'New Deore' groupset launched in 1987.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MT60

BR-MT62 Deore II

revised version of MT60 brake, 'SLR' compatible. Originally part of the 'Deore II' 6s groupset, but included as part of Deore DX groupset in 1990, 1991. Black version available.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MT62


BR-C701 700CX


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-C701

BR-CT20 Altus C20 M-size

update of Altus C10 brake

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CT20_CT21_CT22_CT23

BR-CT21 Altus C20 L-size


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CT20_CT21_CT22_CT23

BR-CT22 Altus C20 M-size


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CT20_CT21_CT22_CT23

[Brucey]

reserved for page 2

BR-CT23 Altus C20 L-size


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CT20_CT21_CT22_CT23

BR-CT90-E Altus

M-size low profile post-type, with solid arms. See CT90 listing below.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CT90-E

BR-M100 100GS

super low profile, similar to tourney BR-TY70

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M100TY70

BR-M290-M Acera-X, M-size


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M290-M


BR-M350 Exage trail


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M350

BR-MC12-M Alivio, M-size
post-type low profile canti with holes in the arms.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MC12-M

BR-MJ05-E/MJ-2
post-type low profile canti with solid arms. Appears to be M-size.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MJ05-E

BR-TY70 70GS

similar to 100GS/M100. Low profile post-type canti. Appears to be plastic coated steel, M-size. Unusually the pinch bolt is on the RH arm, rather than the left.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M100TY70


BR-6102 Shimano 600 series canti

short arm post-type mid-profile canti, not unlike DiaCompe 981, except the shimano brake here has the posts mounted behind the arms.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-6102-SHIMANO%20600

BR-C400 400CX S-size

see BR-C401 for M-size version.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-C400

BR-C510 Exage 500CX, (S-size)

short arm low profile post type.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-C510

BR-CT90 Altus


similar to BR-CT91, but with solid arms. 'SLR' compatible. The photo above shows a common fault with this and some other shimano cantis; the plastic spring cover is load-bearing in some models. When the spring cover splits, the brake is rendered useless. Most shimano cantis have the model number marked on the back of arm with the pinch bolt (normally the left arm on the front brake). Altus BR-CT90-M and BR-CT90-L models are only identified by the sticker on the front of the pinch bolt arm; there is no model number mark on the back of the arms. The arm length (from the boss centre to the straddle wire) is ~65mm in M-size. The 'L' version has arms that are closer to 75mm in length.
There appear to be two different versions; one made in Japan and the other made in Malaysia; the latter appear to be more prone to having split (grey) spring covers.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CT90


BR-M201 200GS

low profile version of BR-M200

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M201

BR-M250 Exage Country

appears to be plastic coated steel
https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M250

BR-M352 Non series. (~1992)


special offset (rear fitment only) post-type canti. Pinch bolt on RH arm. I have never seen these in the flesh.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M352

BR-M550 Deore LX , M-size (~1990)


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M550


BR-M560 Deore LX, M-size (~1993)


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M560_M561

BR-M561 Deore LX, L-size


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M560_M561

BR-M732 Deore XT-II, "SLR"

revision of BR-M730 (see p1)

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M732

BR-MC32-E STX M-size only


-CH model shown above. Also see image of MC32 on p1

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MC32-E


BR-MJ10 MJ series, L-size

Post-type low profile canti with solid arms. No photo available

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MJ10

BR-AT10 Altus A-10, M-size (~1993)


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-AT10_AT11

BR-AT11 Altus A-10, L-size


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-AT10_AT11

BR-AT20 Altus A-20 M-size

this picture shows the difference between AT20 (M-size) and AT21 (L-size)

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-AT20_AT21


BR-AT21 Altus A-20 L-size


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-AT20_AT21

[Brucey]

reserved for page 3

BR-AT50


'AT50' series cantilever (eg in 1986 catalogue). Simplified version of BR-MC70 (deore XT "deerhead") brake, with steel toe adjusting washers, fewer Allen key fittings and polished (rather than anodised) finish. These brakes work as mid-arm brakes on wide-spaced bosses and as wide-arm brakes on narrow spaced bosses. In common with other shimano cantis of this period, there is a short slot in the arm behind the eyebolt; this gives about 4mm of vertical height adjustment; enough to cope with misplaced bosses, or (if bosses are placed exactly) enough to allow 700C(622) or 27" (630) wheels to be used in the same bike.
https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-AT50
At one time (~1985) stronger return springs were available to fit both BR-MC70 and BR-AT50 brakes, as detailed in the SI document below;
https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/storage/pdf/en/si/N-90/SI-N-90-000-00-ENG.pdf
However these alternative parts are not listed on the EV techdocs for either brake, there is no part number information, and I have never seen any in the flesh.

BR-C200 200CX (~1991)

Appears to be S-size low profile. Also available in black (-B version). Plastic coated steel.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-C200_C200-B

BR-C401 400CX

Appears to be M-size version of BR-C400 (S-size) brake.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-C401


BR-CT91 Altus cantilever. (~1996)



Update of BR-CT90, with (hopefully) improved spring covers. The finish on these arms is pretty rough (for a shimano product) and the model BR-CT91 isn't obviously marked on them anywhere. The first time I inspected a set at close range I thought they were knock-offs.
https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CT91

BR-M200 200GS

mid-arm version of BR-M201 (top) BR-M200 at bottom of picture. Pair above were supplied as a front + rear set.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M200

BR-M734 Deore XT

super low profile
https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M734

BR-M900(-M) Deore XTR (~1992)

M-system and standard versions (cf -C version)
https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M900


BR-MC33-E STX RC

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MC33-E

BR-TY20 Tourney, M-size

post-type low profile canti with solid arms

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-TY20_TY21

BR-TY21 Tourney, L-size
longer version of above

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-TY20_TY21

BR-CT12 Altus C10, S-size (~1993)


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CT12


BR-CT50 Altus C50, M-size (~1994)


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CT50_CT51

BR-CT51 Altus C50, L-size


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CT50_CT51

BR-CX50 non-series CX canti

BR-CX50 (one-piece brake blocks) and BR-CX70 (cartridge brake blocks) probably fit to more different post spacings than any other modern cantilever, thanks to three different spacer/bolt configurations.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CX50

BR-CX70 recently discontinued CX canti


BR-CX50 (one-piece brake blocks) and BR-CX70 (cartridge brake blocks) probably fit to more different post spacings than any other modern cantilever, thanks to three different spacer/bolt configurations. Cartridge brake blocks use the same pattern inserts as shimano 'road' caliper brakes.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-CX70


BR-M320 Exage LT, M-size

Non standard brake blocks fitted (Fibrax I think)
https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M320_M321

BR-M321 Exage LT, L-size


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M320_M321

BR-M450 Exage 'Mountain'


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M450

BR-M454 Exage 'Mountain'


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M454


BR-M501 Exage 500LX

super low profile (vs Low profile BR-M502)

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M501_M502

BR-M502 Exage 500LX


https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M501_M502

BR-M650 Deore DX

suffix M version has different 'M-system' brake blocks. Super low profile design

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M650_M651

BR-M651 Deore DX

suffix M version has different 'M-system' brake blocks. Low profile (cf super low profile for BR-M650) design.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-M650_M651

BR-MC16 Alivio (~1996)

this brake has a near- unique feature for shimano cantis, being rear mounted posts.
This merited a splash in the shimano catalogue when this brake was introduced, but it didn't
become a popular design feature.
AFAICT BR-6102 is the only other shimano canti which has posts mounted behind the arms.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MC16


BR-MC30 STX, M-size

-CH suffix version with 'chromica' finish in STX-SE groupset. Non-suffix version in silver finish.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MC30_MC31

[Brucey]

page 4

BR-MC31 STX, L-size. (~1994)

-CH suffix version with 'chromica' finish in STX-SE groupset. Non-suffix version in silver finish.

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MC30_MC31

BR-MC70 Deore XT 'Deer Head'


non-standard brake blocks fitted. BR-MC70 (and the BR-AT50 derivative, but not most of the subsequent XT brakes etc) are amongst the best engineered (if not the most powerful) cantilevers that shimano have made, because the pinch bolt assy has a sleeve in it, so that it is (even when the cable is secure) free to articulate in the end of the brake arm slightly. This means that in normal braking, the articulation of the pinch bolt imposes no bending stresses in the cable nearby. This means no fatigue failures in the cable near the pinch bolt. It also means more consistent brake centring. BR-MC70 has no centring adjustment screw ( and neither does BR-AT50 even though the casting has a boss for it on the LH arm) , and really you don't miss it, because the brakes hold centre very reliably anyway. A good deal of centring problems in cantilever brakes are caused by bending stresses in the straddle cable (at either end) interfering with the arm movement. Cheap manufacture (eg fixed pinch bolts) and bad design (eg the straddle wire slot not being deep enough in the RH arm) can do the rest, even before the arm pivots might start to get draggy.
https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-MC70

BR-R550 Non series (~2004)

70mm cartridge brake blocks (similar to V-blocks).
https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-R550

BR-TY22 Tourney M-size

https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-TY22_TY23


BR-TY23 Tourney L-size
https://si.shimano.com/#/en/EV/BR-TY22_TY23

[gaz]

[seph]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoni_Gaud%C3%AD Quite a monument!

.. and strangely compelling. Think I’m using/ have used/still have mouldering in a box somewhere 3 or 4 from the first page..
Including those exage ones with the scalloped shape that was perfect for holding mud.

Keep going!

[rjb]

Not all the images are being displayed. Anyone else have this problem or is it a feature of my ancient Lenovo Tab 7 (TB3-710F).

Ps when will you be starting on the Weinmann list.

[mattsccm]

I love these posts. is there a version for free hubs in the pipeline The dedication to this is outstanding.

[Brucey]

... is there a version for free hubs in the pipeline ...

unlikely (from me anyway); the hubs (unlike brakes perhaps) all look the same on the outside (more or less) and the information you really want to know (about freehub body interchangeability, seals on freehub bodies etc) can't be known for sure without direct inspection of every single combination. Are you volunteering...?....

cheers

[mattsccm]

With my history of bodgery. No chance. I'll just admire from a distance.

[hoogerbooger]

Blimey. Another page turner you can't put down. Just as well as its gone and got all sunny outside, so at a loose end.

[peetee]

After reading the first paragraph of you first post Brucey I just had to read the rest out of sheer respect for the effort you put in. Bravo.
You have my permission to be absent from the forum for a week so you may lie down and gibber uncontrollably.

[thelawnet]

Not all the images are being displayed. Anyone else have this problem or is it a feature of my ancient Lenovo Tab 7 (TB3-710F).

It's not because it's ancient.
If you click on the padlock on Chrome on Windows next to forum.cyclinguk.org, and then 'site settings' and then scroll down to 'insecure content' and choose 'allow', then the images will load.
If you are on Mobile this might not work and you have to manually specify the sites, by typing in chrome://flags in the browser and then typing in 'unsafely' and manually entering all the sites that have been hotlinked over http and do not have https (because cyclinguk is hosted over https, the browser refuses to load any content that's not available on https). Then you have to make the setting 'enabled'

You can also load any of the images by right clicking and opening in a new tab

The real issue is hotlinking images which is not great as probably most of them will disappear off the internet in a few years. Imgur seems to be the best place to re-host images.

[GranvilleThomas]

Thanks Brucey, that is very interesting. I just checked on the back of my cantilevers on my Raleigh and they are BR-M734 and came fitted on my bought as new 90's Raleigh Dynatech.

Whilst I have changed the front and rear gear cables quite a few times, I am100% certain I am using the original brake cables after all this time.

They do appear to be a lot thicker than your usual brake cable mind you so that probably has something to do with it.

Also probably explains the reason they are incredibly good brakes and I have always been able to stop in all conditions and have never felt the need for anything else.

I really don't understand some peoples dislike of cantilever brakes, but I suppose some are better than others.

[rjb]

Not all the images are being displayed. Anyone else have this problem or is it a feature of my ancient Lenovo Tab 7 (TB3-710F).

It's not because it's ancient.
If you click on the padlock on Chrome on Windows next to forum.cyclinguk.org, and then 'site settings' and then scroll down to 'insecure content' and choose 'allow', then the images will load.
If you are on Mobile this might not work and you have to manually specify the sites, by typing in chrome://flags in the browser and then typing in 'unsafely' and manually entering all the sites that have been hotlinked over http and do not have https (because cyclinguk is hosted over https, the browser refuses to load any content that's not available on https). Then you have to make the setting 'enabled'

Screenshot_20210228-154927~2.png

You can also load any of the images by right clicking and opening in a new tab

The real issue is hotlinking images which is not great as probably most of them will disappear off the internet in a few years. Imgur seems to be the best place to re-host images.

Thankyou, I've learnt something new today.