Ah, and what price for originality? I built up the Algurn with Universal 68's, and they are about the worst stoppers ever, even with the modern pads. I've had 68's that were okay, but these are the extra long reach versions and they are not exactly grippy. I'm tempted to swap out the levers for something better, but the levers I got with these do have some of the neatest, funkiest home brewed "drillium" I ever saw. Not Art Stump quality masterpieces, but still appealing.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/
But yesterday I almost rear ended a car making a left turn trying to brake from the tops. And this morning I rode the Stan Pike with the wide straddle cantilevers and almost flipped myself over the handlebars on the first stop because of the much stronger braking power of the Shimano XT's. It's not that the Algurn is unsafe, so long as I'm constantly aware of the limitations of my brakes. But I worry about having to remember all the time which bike I'm on, and having to avoid situations requiring instant positive stopping power. What happens when I switch bikes, or that playful dog jumps in front of me from behind that hedge?---
Of course the period headset I've got is too short to accomodate a centerpull cable hanger on the front, so I'm stuck with those calipers unless I want to drill the stem or use some clamp on adapter gizmo that looks odd. And it sounds like the real problem is the levers, not the calipers.
Such are the complications of life in the vintage bike game.
Tom Adams, Shrewsbury NJ
George Allen <jgallen@lexairinc.com> wrote: I have the Universal caliper and Weinmann lever combination on my Raleigh International. I agree with all the previous comments about the advantages of this set-up and I'll add one other: the Universal levers always made annoying rattling noises on rough pavement and bumps. I'm not sure if it was the threaded adjusters or what. But the Weinmann levers are much quieter.
George Allen Lexington, Ky
At 03:03 PM 7/7/2005, Louis Schulman wrote:
>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
>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
>
>_______________________________________________
>
>_______________________________________________
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