In a post on why some folks might have used Universal levers with Mafac calipers, I noted that Universal levers had less leverage than other common flavors back then, and that I had measured leverage of some common calipers. A list member asked me to repost the data, so here they are:
3.2 DiaCompe 3.9 Weinmann Delta 3.0 Weinmann Red-Dot 2.1 Universal 61/68 4.2 Sachs "Ergo" 2.7 Shimano Mtn bike 2.4 Shimano 105 road
For example, for the DiaCompe "whatever" that I measured, the cable would be pulled 1 mm for each 3.2 mm of the part of the lever arm that would hit the bars first with the set-up I used. Lever always moves less than the cable. Makes sense.
Smaller number means lever arm travels less for more cable movement. This means that pads can be set further from the rim, lever feels very firm, but lever actually doesn't apply as much force.
With vintage sidepull calipers, the Universals require a fairly high hand effort, but work fine with centerpulls in my experience. I still run Universal levers with Universal 68 brakes on a Cinelli SC, but find it noticably harder to stop than on any other bike I ride. Someday I'll find an early "rider" set of Campy brakes to use instead. In 40 something years, I've almost never used Campy brakes. Wonder if my Weinmann deltas would reach far enough?... hmmm. Or maybe I'll just hang a 61 Universal CP in front, where it matters, and keep the 68 sp in back, because of the unusual Cinelli seat cluster.
enjoy, and hope this helps someone out there. At least it will be more easily searched than my long-time-ago posting of the same info.
harvey sachs
mcLean Va