[CR]RE: SIDE PULL and CENTER PULL BRAKES

(Example: Framebuilders:Mario Confente)

In-Reply-To: <a06230964c3b48dc615c9@[192.168.1.33]>
References: <MONKEYFOODz8bf41lQv00001b09@monkeyfood.nt.phred.org> <p06240805c3b40adfe678@[10.0.1.2]>
Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:14:30 -0500
To: Jan Heine <heine94@earthlink.net>, "Peter Koskinen" <peter@prkbikes.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Sheldon Brown" <CaptBike@sheldonbrown.com>
Subject: [CR]RE: SIDE PULL and CENTER PULL BRAKES
cc: lyonstrings@yahoo.com

Quoth Peter Koskinen:
>>>On the Campy Delta brakes: Are you making this statement based on actual
>>>first hand knowledge, use? I have been riding Delta's for 20 years and I can
>>>say that without a doubt, they are some of the best brakes ever made for
>>>their function, great looks, and durability. Now I can't say that about s ome
>>>of the other brake calipers that have been made over the years who will
>>>remain nameless at this time.

I replied:
>>Jobst Brandt disagrees: http://sheldonbrown.com/brandt/brakes.html

Jan Heine a écrit:
>Jobst Brandt's assessment is overly simplistic.
>I can't say much about Delta brakes, having
>never ridden a bike equipped with them, but...

The thing is that the mechanical advantage varies asymptotically with them, and as the shoes wear, it can get into a range where the brake suddenly becomes useless.
>Jobst claims that centerpull brakes do not
>differ in mechanical advantage over sidepulls.
>This is not true.

It's certainly an oversimplification, I agree.
>My all-time favorite? The lowly Mafac Racer.
>File off the tool parting lines, polish it up,
>and you have a superlight brake with incredible
>power and modulation.

I share your fondness for these oft-maligned calipers, have them on several of my own bikes.

Before the advent of brake shoes with threaded bolts and spherical washers, these were the only calipers that permitted adjusting the brake shoes in the roll axis, though they lack any adjustable in the yaw (toe-in/out) axis.

The adjustable-length transverse cable is also a great feature for those who know how to use it.

Sheldon "Mafac Fan" Brown +----------------------------------------------------+ | January 17 is the birthday of Benjamin Frannklin | | In my opinion, he was the greatest human being | | who ever lived. | +----------------------------------------------------+ --
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