I had a rear one snap last fall on the beginning of a downhill, it was not a fun experience (but no injuries except to the seat stay on the Hetchins). This was a 68.
Aaron Lipstadt Hollywood, CA
-----Original Message----- From: Mark@bulgier.net To: seaneee175@gmail.com; classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Sun, 28 Jan 2007 11:06 AM Subject: RE: [CR]Need a Universal Super 68 brake arm
Sean Flores wrote:
> as I was giving the front caliper a quick toe-in adjustment,
> the arm snapped. [snip]
>
> BTW, is this common for these brakes, should I worry about
> failure or was it just the amount of torque I was using?
Universal arms are famous for snapping while being toed-in, to the extent that I tell people to never toe them in by bending, not even a little. Talking mostly about 61s and 68s here, I don't have enough experience with other models to say.
Maybe they were cast rather than forged? I don't know the metallurgical cause, but they are more brittle than most other brands of brakes in the classic era.
Never saw one snap from normal use though, they seem to be plenty tough enough for the strongest braking.
Mark Bulgier
Seattle WA USA