Mafac Top 63 Brakes - Ridable, or Just Collectible?
12-13-21, 12:37 PM
#1
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Mafac Top 63 Brakes - Ridable, or Just Collectible?
Later today I'm considering buying an early '70s road bike that sports a good condition set of Mafac Top 63 brakes & levers.
I ride with Mafac Competitions, I've owned and worked on Racers, and read a couple of years ago read that the most sought after Mafacs are the Top 63s.
Velobase claims they are the rarest, and I only see one set on eBay w/ a starting bid of ~$200. But I can't seam to find much else on their quality.
Any opinions? Should I replace them with a second set of Competitions?
Mafac Top 63 Brakes
Velobase
I ride with Mafac Competitions, I've owned and worked on Racers, and read a couple of years ago read that the most sought after Mafacs are the Top 63s.
Velobase claims they are the rarest, and I only see one set on eBay w/ a starting bid of ~$200. But I can't seam to find much else on their quality.
Any opinions? Should I replace them with a second set of Competitions?
Mafac Top 63 Brakes
Velobase
Last edited by NOLA Sekai 4K; 12-13-21 at 12:50 PM. Reason: Added photo...
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12-13-21, 01:04 PM
#2
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UK market advert of 1964
one thing to be aware of with this caliper is to make sure the nut on the caliper mounting bolt is very tight
if it were ever to work loose during cycling the caliper arms could fall down into the spokes...
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...t-novelty.html
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UK market advert of 1964
one thing to be aware of with this caliper is to make sure the nut on the caliper mounting bolt is very tight
if it were ever to work loose during cycling the caliper arms could fall down into the spokes...
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...t-novelty.html
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Last edited by juvela; 12-13-21 at 01:36 PM. Reason: addition
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12-30-21, 10:56 AM
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Cyclo-Pedia catalogue page of 1966 -
parts drawing of caliper shown on page 101 of the C.O.N.I. book -
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Cyclo-Pedia catalogue page of 1966 -
parts drawing of caliper shown on page 101 of the C.O.N.I. book -
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Last edited by juvela; 12-30-21 at 12:46 PM. Reason: addition
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12-30-21, 07:30 PM
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If they are as good as the Mafac Racer brake calipers, then they are pretty darn good and certainly worth using for a period correct bike. Lots of people think poorly of the Mafac brake calipers, but not me. I like the way they work and look, plus they are about the easiest vintage brake caliper to adjust...
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