What can I do to improve Universal 68 Sidepulls?
#26
Francophile
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I had a suspicion you also had first hand experience.
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Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
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#27
I think Weinmann drillium levers look fine, as well as being more comfortable than the Italian ones, but they're possibly a bit low-rent for serious classics.
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I think Weinmann drillium levers look fine, as well as being more comfortable than the Italian ones, but they're possibly a bit low-rent for serious classics.
I use Weinmann levers on some of my French bikes as more reachable replacements for the long Mafac levers. They work well and fit the era. I don't worry unduly about whether they are classy! And this bike, as I mentioned above, is pretty ratty. Lots of scars and discoloration. I think that as long as I avoid turkey levers I'll be ok.
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Make sure you have Ferrell on the cable housing.
#30
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Yep, got 'em. (If you were looking at the first photo in the thread, that is the "before" pic when I first got the bike.)
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Last edited by Aubergine; 04-18-24 at 05:16 PM.
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#34
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Update. I finally had a chance to try the Universal calipers with some other levers. They worked much more comfortably with both Campagnolo and Weinmann. I decided to use the Campagnolo levers because they're scratched up so fit in with the rest of the patina. And just to be sure I'm not missing anything with the calipers themselves, I have on order a Harbor Freight ultrasonic cleaner (thanks to another thread here) and will be sure they are fully cleaned, polished, and greased.
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#35
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I had 68s on a road bike back then and tolerated them for a half year before replacing them. No reason to stick with marginal brakes. I’d get Tektro brakes of the appropriate size. If you want period appropriate brakes Superbe made some nice brakes. I had a set of Superbe centerpulls that were ok and looked nice.
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I had 68s on a road bike back then and tolerated them for a half year before replacing them. No reason to stick with marginal brakes. I’d get Tektro brakes of the appropriate size. If you want period appropriate brakes Superbe made some nice brakes. I had a set of Superbe centerpulls that were ok and looked nice.
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#37
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Finally had time and inclination to swap out the brake levers on the Mercian. I replaced the Universal levers with Nuovo Records. I have not road tested them (it's pouring here) but just testing the brake action on the stand shows a big improvement. Smoother action all around, and lever pull effort is easier. I'll report back once I try the bike out on the road, hopefully tomorrow.
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#38
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Glad to hear you are on your way. I've had people try my bikes and tell me that my brakes don't work. They work fine. I eventually learned that I have unusually strong hands which is strange since I'm not a big muscular guy. I have those hand strengthener exercise thingies, and I can squeeze them really hard many times, more than anyone else who has tried them. Who knew? Now I understand why people like new brakes so much better than old ones. Also, I recently tested my hands again, and I noticed my left hand is stronger even though I'm right handed. Maybe it's from cycling for most of my life and primarily using the left brake.
So yes, single pivot calipers aren't for everyone, especially since newer brakes work so much better. I did have those Universal 68 brakes, and the levers were brutal because of their low leverage. I was able to use them, but they took more effort than any others.
Also, most men generally have stronger hands than most women do.
So yes, single pivot calipers aren't for everyone, especially since newer brakes work so much better. I did have those Universal 68 brakes, and the levers were brutal because of their low leverage. I was able to use them, but they took more effort than any others.
Also, most men generally have stronger hands than most women do.
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#39
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Glad to hear you are on your way. I've had people try my bikes and tell me that my brakes don't work. They work fine. I eventually learned that I have unusually strong hands which is strange since I'm not a big muscular guy. I have those hand strengthener exercise thingies, and I can squeeze them really hard many times, more than anyone else who has tried them. Who knew? Now I understand why people like new brakes so much better than old ones. Also, I recently tested my hands again, and I noticed my left hand is stronger even though I'm right handed. Maybe it's from cycling for most of my life and primarily using the left brake.
So yes, single pivot calipers aren't for everyone, especially since newer brakes work so much better. I did have those Universal 68 brakes, and the levers were brutal because of their low leverage. I was able to use them, but they took more effort than any others.
So yes, single pivot calipers aren't for everyone, especially since newer brakes work so much better. I did have those Universal 68 brakes, and the levers were brutal because of their low leverage. I was able to use them, but they took more effort than any others.
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Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
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#40
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[MENTION=426813]Aubergine[/MENTION], the Campy levers have better leverage, and the pivot that the cable attaches to is also of a large diameter. This reduces friction. They're very nice levers, and the price is almost justified.
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#41
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They are certainly my favorite levers. They work very well with Mafacs as well, which I have on several bikes.
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#42
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FWIW, there are other levers with the same geometry as Campagnolo, e.g. SunTour "Superbe," Modolo, some Gran Compe models, etc. that don't carry quite the same degree of brand-premium as Campagnolo.
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I can't argue that you get more usage per dollar with the high end stuff, just that you get fewer problems over time. I'm usually pretty frugal, and I don't buy top line stuff often.
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