Originally Posted by
Salamandrine
Hmm, I've always found that MAFAC CP brakes had much more flexible caliper arms. I've tested this on the brakes I own. Pretty obvious difference.
Really I really like both the Weinmann and MAFAC design. They are just different: Ford vs GM. I've come to prefer Weinmann/Dia/Gran-Compe CP brakes myself. I used to like MAFAC better. I'd still give MAFAC the edge WRT stopping power, but I prefer the modulation of Gran Compe.
Stopping power is mostly a matter of the pads anyway.
Agreed about the importance of good pads. Even good modern dual pivot sidepulls can perform poorly with lousy pads.