Good vintage centerpulls?
#26
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,635
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1299 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4678 Post(s)
Liked 5,796 Times
in
2,282 Posts
Worst centerpull brakes: MAFACs set up poorly with old pads
Best centerpull brakes: MAFACs set up properly with new salmon pads.
Best centerpull brakes: MAFACs set up properly with new salmon pads.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Likes For gugie:
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,829 Times
in
1,995 Posts
Likes For repechage:
#28
Not lost wanderer.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lititz, Pa
Posts: 3,328
Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 885 Post(s)
Liked 990 Times
in
522 Posts
I prefer Dia-comps over Weinmanns as they have an extra coil on the spring.
__________________
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,874
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1856 Post(s)
Liked 664 Times
in
506 Posts
For me, with those extra degrees of freedom in setting up the pads, the Mafacs have it over all of them!
#30
Senior Member
Another nice feature of MAFAC brakes is that the straddle wire cable is infinitely adjustable. I've always set them up - at least for myself - with a shorter straddle wire on the front then the back. This ups the mechanical advantage a little on the front brake, and evens out the feel. Once upon a time the Weinmann double fixed end straddles were sold in several lengths, allowing the same sort of tuning, but that time is gone.
#31
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 257
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
15 Posts
I kind of like the look of the Mafac Racer. I hadn't actually seen a picture of them that I remember. The fact you can adjust them seems like a plus too.
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,904
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,928 Times
in
2,553 Posts
Fun observation: if you look closely at "real" dual pivot in action, you will see that the brake pushes the rim to one side during hard braking. The lever arms are different. I set my brakes up to not push the rim but it means my pads sit different distances from the rim.
Ben
#33
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,513
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2422 Post(s)
Liked 4,393 Times
in
2,092 Posts
#34
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,646
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2608 Post(s)
Liked 1,699 Times
in
935 Posts
How's about the Gran Compe 450?
Sorry- this is the only pic I have of them right now...
Grail Brakes by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
Sorry- this is the only pic I have of them right now...
Grail Brakes by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#36
Senior Member
Mafacs were the good (symmetrical) dual pivots. The Racers and their siblings (probably mostly the siblings) recorded more TdF wins than any other brake for many years.
Fun observation: if you look closely at "real" dual pivot in action, you will see that the brake pushes the rim to one side during hard braking. The lever arms are different. I set my brakes up to not push the rim but it means my pads sit different distances from the rim.
Ben
Fun observation: if you look closely at "real" dual pivot in action, you will see that the brake pushes the rim to one side during hard braking. The lever arms are different. I set my brakes up to not push the rim but it means my pads sit different distances from the rim.
Ben
#37
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,513
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2422 Post(s)
Liked 4,393 Times
in
2,092 Posts
#38
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 257
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
15 Posts
I found this picture when I searched for CLB. A guy would almost have to have a bike built just so he could use them.
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,321
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 767 Post(s)
Liked 1,898 Times
in
889 Posts
@88Tempo,
Lots of good suggestions and information in this thread. One more thing to consider that I didn't see mentioned is that if you go with Mafacs, the original levers' grip reach is a bit longer than most other levers and can be too much if you've got smallish hands.
Lots of good suggestions and information in this thread. One more thing to consider that I didn't see mentioned is that if you go with Mafacs, the original levers' grip reach is a bit longer than most other levers and can be too much if you've got smallish hands.
#40
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,635
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1299 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4678 Post(s)
Liked 5,796 Times
in
2,282 Posts
Besides stiffening up the brakes, those braze-on posts take away one degree of freedom from setting up the brakes, which makes them easier to adjust, I've found.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#41
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,784
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3587 Post(s)
Liked 3,400 Times
in
1,934 Posts
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Posts: 1,833
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 604 Post(s)
Liked 1,063 Times
in
535 Posts
These work quite well on my Supercourse, NOS Gran Comps
Tim
Tim
Likes For tkamd73:
#43
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 257
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
15 Posts
@88Tempo,
Lots of good suggestions and information in this thread. One more thing to consider that I didn't see mentioned is that if you go with Mafacs, the original levers' grip reach is a bit longer than most other levers and can be too much if you've got smallish hands.
Lots of good suggestions and information in this thread. One more thing to consider that I didn't see mentioned is that if you go with Mafacs, the original levers' grip reach is a bit longer than most other levers and can be too much if you've got smallish hands.
This is probably all academic anyhow since it all depends on whats in the big bin at the co-op. It was educational so thanks for all the info everyone.
#44
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,646
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2608 Post(s)
Liked 1,699 Times
in
935 Posts
I guess I'd do it, but it seems like a whole lot of "work" to spin the pad on sandpaper...
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#45
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,513
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2422 Post(s)
Liked 4,393 Times
in
2,092 Posts
I did have a pair of the CLB sidepulls as well. In factory finish, much less impressive. They're definitely lightweight in the French sense though. Never did quite trust them.
-Kurt
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
The gran compe in post 42 are also excellent. That's what I'm running on my 1982 Trek 720 (and that's why the 450s are in my parts bing while I figure out how to get brake pads for them).
#47
Senior Member
What diameter are the pad studs anyway? 6mm instead of 7? I don't think I've actually worked on a GC450 since the 80s. There's a new reissue version of the GC450, and they sell replacement pads, but they appear to be standard 7mm size now.
Wouldn't it be easier to just replace the inserts the old school way, and keep the holders? Seems like one of the Weinmann inserts that Koolstop sells would fit.
#48
Senior Member
Should be noted that the Gran Compe GC540 is a short reach brake, and the GC610 is a medium reach brake.
There weren't a lot of short reach centerpulls ever made. They were out of fashion by the time that short reach became standard. Another great one that comes to mind is the Zeus 2000. It was a very pretty and finely finished super deluxe racing centerpull. About 20 years too late to market...
These from velobase are standard (medium) reach. IIRC they did come in short reach, but maybe I mis-remembered. (EDIT: seems that there was one size only, but it was between short and medium reach. Minimum adjustment 45)
If we go by looks alone I definitely vote for Mafac. They were not finely finished, but still the prettiest from a sculptural point of view, IMO. And the levers remind me of Babar.
There weren't a lot of short reach centerpulls ever made. They were out of fashion by the time that short reach became standard. Another great one that comes to mind is the Zeus 2000. It was a very pretty and finely finished super deluxe racing centerpull. About 20 years too late to market...
These from velobase are standard (medium) reach. IIRC they did come in short reach, but maybe I mis-remembered. (EDIT: seems that there was one size only, but it was between short and medium reach. Minimum adjustment 45)
If we go by looks alone I definitely vote for Mafac. They were not finely finished, but still the prettiest from a sculptural point of view, IMO. And the levers remind me of Babar.
Last edited by Salamandrine; 05-25-19 at 09:51 AM.
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,674
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1372 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,751 Times
in
938 Posts
Again, I repeat my praise for Mafac brakes but one thing does bug the hoha out of me - the half hoods...
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
#50
Senior Member
Somehow the half hoods never bugged me. They are more comfortable if you wrap them in.
Probably any sort of hood was considered deluxe when Mafac introduced those... When I started working in a bike shop, a lot of bikes didn't have brake hoods at all. Riding the hoods wasn't a big thing.
Probably any sort of hood was considered deluxe when Mafac introduced those... When I started working in a bike shop, a lot of bikes didn't have brake hoods at all. Riding the hoods wasn't a big thing.