Louis asked:
> I recently acquired a very nice "pair" of Model 61 Centerpulls. I say
> "pair" with some reserve, because the front are short reach, and the
> rear, long reach.
>
> Is this a "pair"? Were different reach Model 61 sets available? Was
> it common to have one reach on the front, and a different reach on the
> back? Why would a bicycle be made this way?
>
> Enquiring mind wants to know.
This was indeed the most common way for almost all Italian bikes up until the 70's. The logic behind this, as described to me by Italian oldtimers is multifold. Firstly, on the old-time bikes where the back wheel needed to be moved for use with gearing (i.e. with Cambio Corsa, Paris-Roubaix, Vittoria Margherita...) you had to allow for a greater arc of the rear fender, hence a higher position of the rear brake. On the front with a fixed brake, this was not necessary. Secondly, the flex of the front brake calipers was also better kept in check with a shorter reach. The shorter the caliper the less flex. On the rear brake the flex was not as immediately a problem as even a very flexible brake caliper could never flex beyond the seatstays. In fact, I have yet to see an old Italian bike that didn't show evidence of the rear brake calipers coming in contact with the seatstays. On front brakes, the shorter caliper also allows for frames with comparatively longer head tubes. This was important when the average rider's height was much smaller.
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ