Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
The latest run of the Rene Herse canti brakes needs a little push to get going. Although they were previously available, Rene Herse is seeking additional funding to produce the next batch of their signature cantilever brakes. For more on this crowdfunding project, dive in below…
The Rene Herse canti brakes are a limited, forged offering from the Seattle-based company that promises some of the best rim brake performance on the market. Initially designed as a simple, lightweight, and complementary component for a bike created by Peter Weigle for the French Concours de Machines, these cantilever brakes weigh just 75 grams. Said to be “virtually unimprovable” by Jan Heine, they have refined a few key elements, including the swiveling straddle cable, arm stiffness, and machined pivots, to achieve optimal performance. The brakes mount to standard cantilever posts, come with a 264mm cable, have clearance for 56mm tires without fenders or 42 mm tires with 62mm fenders, and are backed by a 10-year warranty.
However, to bring another run of the Rene Herse canti brakes to market, they will need some help. Per Jan, “Forging dies are hugely expensive, and the minimum production runs are very large. That’s not a problem if you are Shimano and make 100,000 crankarms, but it’s a big lift for a small company like Rene Herse Cycles. And there are cases where it’s just not possible without knowing whether there are enough others who want these parts. That’s when crowdfunding is the obvious answer. And so we’re exploring this approach to make products that otherwise just wouldn’t happen… If we get 75 pre-orders by November 30, we’ll do another run.”
While some may doubt the necessity of rim brakes in the modern era, there’s still a love for this simplistic braking style. Whether it’s newer Crust bike models like the rim brake Romanceür or any of the Rivendells, it’s clear there’s a market for cantilever brakes going into 2026. As for the brakes themselves, Jan has run them at both Unbound XL and the Arkansas High Country Race, as well as challenging courses like the Dark Divide 300. To help fund these brakes, customers will need to pre-order. This locks in the current price at $149-$165, depending on add-ons, as Jan says the cost will increase if this new batch gets fully funded. If the project fails, those who pre-ordered will get a full refund.
For more information on the Rene Herse canti brakes, visit ReneHerseCycles.com.
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