Comments about Paul Components Neo-Retro Cantilevers:

The Paul Neo Retro cantilevers are styled after the ancient Mafac cantilevers. Hence the larger circular area in front of the brake pad mount. That circular area serves no other purpose than to visually mimic the old Mafacs. The Paul Touring Cantilever shares this design feature.

That said, these are nicely made brakes and are lightweight with nearly infinite return spring adjustment (similar to Suntour XC pro cantilevers from the 1980's). Like other modern hight-quality cantilevers (including linear-pull) they pivot on sealed sleeves instead of directly on the frames brake bosses. This makes for longer service life with less play. Paul's makes available plenty of service parts so if something wears out or breaks you'll be able to replace it.

Most cyclocrossers will run the Paul Neo Retro in the front and the low-profile Touring cantilever in the back. (This is from the belief that the Neo Retro's are more powerful-- they are NOT, the low-profile Touring canti's are!)

In any configuration the Paul cantilevers are as powerful as any "old school" cantilever that I've ever used. For even better performance, install Kool-Stop's "Cyclocross Pads" brake pads.

Style considerations aside, these make excellent additions to a classic steel cycocross bike build.