Originally Posted by
rustystrings61
Dia Compe was a copy of the Weinmann, but I have a memory of someone writing that they were not as good - do they have the center bit that keeps the arms aligned and working symmetrically?
Technically and FWIW, the Dia Compe is a license built version of the Weinmann center pulls, not a copy. I've heard the comments about the Dia Compes somehow being lesser for a long time, but frankly I could never tell the difference between the two versions of the same brake. They look the same to me. As far as I recall the Dia Compes have the centering pin too. It's been a long time since I wrenched in a shop, but I vaguely remember looking for missing pins once BITD when I first heard that rumor. Didn't seen any with no pins. Maybe some escaped the factory without them, or they fell out. My Gran Compe 610 reissues have the pin for sure.
I'm sure some forumites have old Dia Compes that could be checked...