Hi Jim,
At one time, Weinmann centerpull brakes were "state of the art" which initially caught Raleigh's attention. It stikes me that Raleigh was always a stubborn company that did not feel comfortable with parts changes later placed upon them by component manufacturers. However, lower cost probably influenced them to carry Weinmann world-wide for a long time. The end result seemed to be that French and German parts were sourced by Raleigh to obtain lower manufacturer costs and distinction from competitors.
Why Raleigh chose Simplex because of lower cost, I will never fully understand or appreciate...
Did you know that in the 1970s Raleigh was the world's largest manufacturer of completed bikes? If I recall correctly, manufacturing plants were set up at that time in England, India, and South Africa to name a few countries... Worlwide distribution allowed Weinmann brkes to be spread across the globe... Raleigh was great for Weinmann!
Regards, Steve Neago "Lunching and Emailing in Cincinnati, OH"
> I always wondered why '70's era British bikes seem to favor Weinmann
> centerpull brakes over Mafacs. I mean, there were certainly lots of
> French parts used on British bikes with Normandy hubs, Simplex
> derailleurs, and TA or Stronglight cranks common. It seems like they
> might have used Mafac brakes more with all that French gear. Just
> curious as to the preference of Weinmann brakes over Mafac.
>
> Jim Cole
> Memphis, TN