Originally Posted by
ehcoplex
What did you use for brakes on yours? My inclination is centerpulls (Vainqueur 750, the Dia-Compe copies, Raids if I win the lottery....) as my focus has generally been more on '70s bikes, but this is late '80s, so I suppose the Tektro side pulls wouldn't look out of place....
This is my take/opinion- if you don't mind...
Centerpulls are very "old school" compared to this bike... there's like a line where 70s styled components suddenly aren't right on 80s bikes. IMO and all that. I originally wanted to have slotted Superbe levers on this bike (and this bike is where I learned about Shimano's SLR system and how it doesn't play well with non-SLR parts), and realistically I'm glad they didn't work because, stylistically- they didn't go. This is a transitional time for bikes- it has recessed brakes, indexed shifting, but non-aero levers. This frame is "modern." The modern block graphics, the high tech socketed lugs, made in Japan... As much as dual pivot Tektros are 30+ years newer than this frame and RAIDs and Vainquers are a just a few years removed... The Tektros are more appropriate, to me (as long as they're polished). That being said, I can't imagine using them on my 70s bikes.