Thanks Aldo - very helpful. Given the mystique around Mafac and out of curiousity Im wondering if anyone on list would care to eleborate on the Mafac possibilities.
Tom Rawson
Oakland, CA
> In recent years I've used Universal 61, MAFAC Competition,
Weinmann 999.
>
> During the 1960s and 70s Universal made cheaper versions of
their
> centerpulls with similar design features to their 61s. Some
had steel
> levers. So far I haven't need to replace anything but brake
pads on the
> Universals 61s. Weinmann was a Schwinn mainstay for many
years, so there
> are lots of parts around, and lots of cheap bikes with useable
bits and
> pieces of Weinmann brakes. MAFAC is a big topic with a wide
selection from
> good to poor. Peugeot et al French bikes used MAFACs, so I'm
sure certain
> regions have pockets of spare parts.
>
> I find MAFACs have adequate stopping power now that I've
replaced the pads
> with pink and black striped "LaVipere", but it can take strong
hands to stop
> in a panic. The pivot points on the levers seem to wear out
quickly,
> causing sloppiness in the lever. The caliper arms are a little
flexible.
> The springs are a little weak. Finish varies from good to
poor.
>
> The Weinmanns stop a little better. I find the lever hoods
more comfy. The
> lever pivot points wear with time, but there are still
replacement bits
> around (they sold trillions of these levers). The caliper arms
are quite
> rigid, and the pivot bolts are sturdy. The springs are
moderately strong.
> Consistently good finish.
>
> The Universals seem to have the best stopping power. These
levers are very
> comfortable, but the aluminum body has a reputation for
failure. I've only
> seen two break, both after hard crashes. The caliper arms are
stiff, the
> pivot bolts are well made, and the springs are quite strong.
Consistently
> good to very good finish.
>
> I haven't used the DiaCompes in twenty years, so I cannot
comment on their
> performance.
>
> Aldo Ross
> Monroe, Ohio