I have Univeral 61's with Weinmann levers on my '65 Holdsworth. Theyare a very powerful combination.
The only reason to use the Universal levers is if you are a stickler for original equipment. If you are more concerned about using the brakes, the Weinmann levers are much better. And, if you can find a set of the later more ergonomic hoods, they are much more comfortable, too.
Louis Schulman Tampa, Florida, where it is a sweltering 93 degrees, and we are looking at yet another hurricane. Say it ain't so!
-----Original Message----- From: Jay Sexton <jvs@sonic.net> Sent: Jul 7, 2005 12:21 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]weinmann vs. universal centerpulls
Hmmm, very intersting. I bought a 60's Olmo that was set up with Universal 61's and Weinmann levers. Joe's comment about the differences in lever advantage may shed some light on why this bike had the Weinmann levers. I was planning on installing the "correct" Uni levers but maybe I should reconsider. Jay Sexton Sebastopol, CA
Well I've been riding my raleigh competition and international alot lately. The competition was set up with Universal 61 centerpulls and the international with the apropriate weinmanns, 610's. Both were given some modern brake blocks, I forget the brand, but to me the difference in performance is very noticeable. I never really cared for centerpulls, switching them out for sidepulls whenever I could, but I had always simply dealt with either weinmann or dia-compe calipers.
By far I think the universal brakes provide much more stopping power and modulation. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. I was going to put some weinmanns on the competition just to make it correct but now I'm not so sure.
marc garcia
Joe Bender-Zanoni wrote:
chicago IL "Same levers? The Universal levers are so huge and have such low mechanical advantage they kind of change everything. I would actually favor the Wienmanns myself."
Well I actually wound up using some later universal levers meant for sidepulls without the built adjusting barrels since I had barrels on the headset and the rear bridge. Maybe that made the difference.
marc garcia
chicago IL