My bicycles are all at least 20 years old but cantilever brakes can die. The switch to v brakes made such a huge difference without adding complexity. In fact,

My bicycles are all at least 20 years old but cantilever brakes can die. The switch to v brakes made such a huge difference without adding complexity. In fact, they removed complexity, as they are so much easier to set up and maintain. But otherwise I'm with you. As someone who went mountain biking more days than not for more than a decade, simplicity never watered down my fun.