I have not used the Tigers I recently got. Looking at them 3 features jump out. First, the shoe adjustment on the hemispherical mounts is very solid and would hold in any circumstance. Second, the calipers are more robust than the Dural Forge or Racer. Third, they are wider and would work with wide rims, tires and fenders.
JoeB-Z
Great Notch, New Jersey
<classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2002 10:23 AM Subject: Re: [CR]Mafac Top 63 Brakes (eBay item 729361116)
> What is puzzling is the high value placed on brakes that have to have the
> bike designed around them to get good pad adjustment, where the pad can
> strike the rim "square."
> I know that the two-piece Top 63 back plate allows other ajdustment, but
> what were other advantages to this brake and the Tiger?
> David Feldman
> Vancouver, WA
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joe Bender-Zanoni" <joebz@optonline.net>
> To: <GRIFFKS@aol.com>; <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Friday, November 01, 2002 4:38 PM
> Subject: Re: [CR]Mafac Top 63 Brakes (eBay item 729361116)
>
>
> > The Top 63 and Tiger brakes are surely rare in the US. Also it could be
> that
> > the Top 63, because it is adjustable width and the Tiger, because it is
> wide
> > are nicer fits with wide fenders?
> >
> > Here's a related request for, as some Brit members have put it, rocking
> > horse manure. Anyone have 3 of the hemispherical angle sided brake shoe
> > "washers" for the Tiger? and the brake pad nuts?
> >
> > Joe Bender-Zanoni
> > Great Notch, NJ
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <GRIFFKS@aol.com>
> > To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> > Sent: Friday, November 01, 2002 5:04 PM
> > Subject: [CR]Mafac Top 63 Brakes (eBay item 729361116)
> >
> >
> > Can someone tell me what the appeal is for Mafac Top 63 brakes in that
> they
> > always seem to sell on eBay in excess of £200 sterling, (check out eBay
> > item
> > 729361116) Whilst I can appreciate the difference in design of the
> > adjustable
> > backplate on the stirrups what is it about them that commands a
> > substantially
> > higher premium when auctioned, over other favourites say the Mafac
> > "Racer's"?
> > Is it their scarcity because they seem to turn up regularly on eBay.
> > When I first attempted to put a serious racing bike together back in the
> > 60's
> > I was offered, and somewhat reluctantly accepted, Top 63's because my
> first
> > choice for "Racer's" meant having to wait a further month because of the
> > shop
> > then currently being out of stock, I don't recall them being much
> different
> > in price and although I found the Top 63's to be adequate their design
and
> > braking efficiency didn't seem to be any superior to the
> > "Racer's"(........always wished I had waited that month longer so my
bike
> > could mirror those seen in the peleton, all the main trade teams seem to
> use
> > the "Racer's")
> > any comments anyone?
> > Griff King-Spooner (London UK)