I wrote, "Yes, the disk brake was "idiosyncratic" or "weird." I still use one -- but gingerly, since the strippable disk is no longer available. Steven m Johnson <grisha2@juno.com> picked this up, and was nice enough to point out that one is for sale on ebay:
Just in case anyone wants to see one:
http://ebay.com/
The item for sale is a front wheel with Phil Disk Brake. My experience argues strongly against the use of these on the front, in the way it was done. The standard application wound up with a dished front wheel. I was very surprised when riding one on a fine day, starting up a hill. I suddenly had to turn the wheel hard, and it just crumpled. The experience (and others) left me with the strong belief that road front wheels need widely spaced, symmetrical flanges. Fronts have significant sideways loads that backs rarely see.
just my 2c, and thanks again to Stephen for spotting this.
harvey sachs mclean va
Now, I believe that the wheel in question would make a fine rear wheel with freewheel (same threading, anyhow), and I'd love to have a spare disk for my tandem.... :-)