I think the general consensus here is that these levers work OK if the wheels are true and cables regularly adjusted to compensate for stretch. The trouble with them is that they were widely sold on inexpensive bikes often bought by casual cyclists who neglected maintenance. By the way, there was a bike called the Schwinn World Voyager in the early 70's which was equipped with full Dura Ace, including Dura Ace centerpull brakes, which predated the "original" DA sidepulls. I believe the Dura Ace CPs on this bike had "suicide" levers. Interesting to consider Dura Ace assist levers. I believe Sarah actually has a pair of such levers. Didn't the Weinmann/Dia Comp levers attach with a screw that threaded into the side of the lever body? I think I've even seen Dia Comp hoods with a perforated circle that can be punched out for this screw. How does one attach assist levers to Campy brake levers?
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Olof Stroh wrote:
> Sheldon and others,
>
> A personal example that might have general implications:
>
> I ride my bikes with traditional non-aero levers, Superbes and
> Triomphes. I reach them from the drops, I can squeeze them
> easily from above just stretching a couple of fingers over them.
> No problem.
>
> But my wife is a lot shorter than I am. She is well trained, but her
> hands are nonetheless smaller and weaker. The NRs on her
> beloved Colnago Super didn´t suit her. Not from the tops, nor
> from the drops. But she is a strong rider, uses frequently all
> positions of her drop bars,she wouldn´t be well served by a
> "hybrid" with straight bars and high position, she wants and takes
> advantage of a first class road bike.
>
> We have - shame - installed Shimano death grips. They are cheap
> and I have looked upon such paraphernalia with a very lifted nose,
> but they function well and are quite easy to install with full braking
> power (using NR calipers). Comfortable to use and her position
> braking is still more balanced than on the usual utility bike when
> braking hard.
>
> Having found this: are they really so bad? Properly made and
> installed? What is a rider in her position to do? (Granted, we
> have got smaller aero Dia-Compes from fellow list member Mark
> Koepke, are yet to try these, but the question still remains).
>
> BTW Sheldon, you´ve got me, I will order a fixed hub and try.
>
> Olof Stroh
> Uppsala Sweden