Originally Posted by
Salamandrine
I'm sure the dual pivots would make them stronger from the hoods. Going to a higher MA caliper is going to improve the braking power to effort ratio. FWIW I use modern TRP RRL levers with the Gran Compe 610 repops on my touring bike, and they are quite satisfactory. I'd rate them subjectively about the same as modern TRP dual pivots and modern Ultegra brifters on my 'modern' bike, plus I don't have to fiddle with the cable adjuster to get the wheel out. I'd recommend the TRP levers if you're braking from the hoods mostly, not just for comfort, but for safety. They are going to be harder for your hands to bounce out of than an old Weinmann brake lever, and they are designed to be used from the hood position.
Yeah, I think it was when is saw my first Italian racing bike in a shop in the late 70s. It was white. It cost over $1000 (!!!!). I think it was a Pogliaghi. I had never seen anything like it. I did think, "Why does it have side pull brakes?"
Center pull brakes always were better than the side pulls that came on Huffys, All Pros, Royce Unions, and the like. That's what I knew.
A little knowledge being a dangerous thing, I applied it to all bikes/brakes. I was still young. I try to have a more nuanced view
at least in some instances these days.
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I seem to have lost what little mind I had left before this all started.