UKC

My rear cantilever brakes came with an 82mm Shimano link wire like one of these: http://sheldonbrown.com/images/BR2460-6.JPG whereas the fronts have a more traditional yoke and straddle cable arrangement like this: http://tinyurl.com/mo2x8yb I think the link wire method reduces the scope for fine-tuning the feel of the rear brake. I know you can get link wires in different lengths but this seems like a rather clumsy and expensive way to adjust the cable geometry. Is there any good reason not to switch to using a yoke & straddle cable on the rear as well?

[And please, don't bother suggesting mini-Vs (tried them, didn't work) or discs (don't have the frame/fork fittings).]

In reply to Martin W: I wouldn't have thought so.

In reply to Timmd: Thanks for the reassurance. I swapped out the link wire at the weekend and the extra adjustability of the straddle cable means that I've been able to tune the feel of my rear cantis much better.

The only reason I can find for the link wire ever being invented is that it eliminates the risk of the straddle cable cable dropping on the tyre and suddenly locking up the wheel if the brake cable snaps. On the front that could be very nasty, on the rear I'd have thought less catastrophic, though still upsetting for the rider.

Interestingly, my bike came with a straddle cable at the front and a link wire at the rear…